FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports for May 26-June 1

May 26 through June 1, 2023

This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified weeks; 
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

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CASES

Bay County

• Senior Officer T. Basford and Officer Jarrell stopped a charter vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection. During the inspection, four undersized vermillion snapper and an undersized trigger fish were discovered. The captain was issued a citation for the violations.
• Senior Officers Brady and N. Basford were on patrol when they stopped a vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. There were eight people on the boat and only four personal floating devices. Everyone was under 21 years of age and there were many empty containers of alcohol. Officer Basford spoke with the captain of the vessel and discovered signs of impairment. The captain agreed to give a sample of his breath and was issued a citation for operation of a vessel by a person under 21 with a breath alcohol level .02 or higher.
• Senior Officers N. Basford, T. Basford and Rice were on patrol when they stopped a vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. Both individuals on the vessel were under 21 years of age. A cooler with alcohol was discovered in the vessel. One individual was issued a citation for possession of alcohol by a minor.

Escambia County

• Officer Specialist Ramos was on patrol and stopped a boat coming in from offshore fishing to conduct a resource inspection. The four occupants were in possession of red snapper during the closed season and undersized gray triggerfish. Appropriate citations were issued.
• Officer Pettey was patrolling on Escambia River when he checked an individual who had bush hook equipment. After a short conversation, Officer Pettey found the individual had already set several hooks. The subject did not reveal the correct locations, however Officer Pettey was able to locate them. The bush hooks were not properly marked as required. Officer Pettey cited the individual for the violation.
• Officers Allgood and Hahr teamed up with FWC’s avian pilot T. Tolbert to work a detail focusing on Alabama anglers fishing in Florida waters. They located four vessels in possession of red snapper in Florida waters. The captains of each vessel were charged with possession of red snapper during closed season.
• Officers Allgood and Hahr participated in a detail with multiple Alabama agencies targeting illegal activity along the Perdido River. Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries officers, state lands officers, troopers, Florida Marine Patrol, sheriff’s deputies, and FWC officers worked their respective wildlife management areas along Perdido River and made numerous arrests for narcotics and underaged alcohol consumption. Citations were issued for possession of alcoholic beverages, fishing without licenses, and illegal camping. The officers focused on public recreational areas where families gather for enjoyment. The detail resulted in over 70 citations/arrests.
• Officer Hahr responded to a complaint about an RV parked at a state boat ramp in Pensacola. Upon his arrival, he observed an unregistered motorhome and vehicle parked in the middle of the parking lot. The two owners were present and had set up residence at the ramp. They were not licensed drivers and had not transferred the vehicle titles into their names. The officer charged both subjects with operating unregistered vehicles and communicated the need to find an appropriate place to take their RV and vehicle.
• Officers Allgood and Hahr were on patrol and working boating safety in the Intracoastal Waterway in the Big Lagoon area when they observed a subject on a personal watercraft in violation of the idle speed zone. They stopped the subject and immediately observed several indicators of impairment. The man performed poorly on standard field sobriety tasks and refused to provide a breath sample. He was booked at the Escambia County Jail for boating under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test.
• Officers Bower and Corbin were on patrol in the Pensacola Pass when they observed a vessel returning with fishing equipment displayed. A vessel stop was conducted for a resource inspection. During the inspection, eight undersized greater amberjack and one undersized gray triggerfish were located on the vessel. The subjects were each issued resource citations for the violations.

Gulf County

• Officer Gerber was conducting resource inspections while on vessel patrol. During one inspection, he found an individual in possession of an undersized redfish and black drum. The subject was cited accordingly.
• Senior Officers M. and H. Webb along with Major Rondeau and Captain Clark were working a special detail targeting impaired operators. They stopped a vessel that appeared to be returning from fishing to conduct a resource inspection. The vessel’s captain was found to be in possession of two undersized and out-of-season greater amberjack. He was cited for the out-of-season violation and warned for the undersized.

Okaloosa County

• A multi-agency boating saturation patrol was conducted for the annual “Billy Bowlegs Festival.” A total of 34 boating citations, 89 warnings and nine FWC resource citations were issued. Nine operators were arrested for boating under the influence and seven boating accidents were investigated. Law Enforcement and EMS responded to nine medical calls.
• Officers Mursch and A. Pritchard received a tip from the investigations unit about several people gigging blue crabs near the Cinco Bayou boat ramp. Once they arrived on scene, the officers observed several subjects on the bank with gigs in hand. The subjects had a paint bucket with approximately 50 blue crabs with puncture marks on the carapaces. The subjects were issued citations for illegal method of taking blue crabs and no fishing license.
• Investigator Milstead and Officers Bower and Corbin were on patrol in the Destin Pass when they observed a vessel anchored by the east jetty with a dive flag displayed. As they approached the area, they observed two subjects return to the vessel with spear guns. A resource inspection was conducted and both subjects acknowledged they had been spearfishing the jetties. One of the subjects also did not have a valid saltwater fishing license. Notice to appear citations were issued for the violations.
• Officers J. Brooks and Corbin were on patrol in Choctawhatchee Bay when they observed a vessel being operated at night without a white navigational light displayed. They stopped the vessel and conducted a boating safety inspection. During the stop the operator showed signs of impairment and was under 20 years of age. The subject performed poorly on standard field sobriety tasks and was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The subject later provided breath samples and was arrested and charged with operating a vessel with a breath alcohol content over .08 and cited for no boater education and no navigational light displayed.
• During Memorial Day holiday weekend, FWC Officers arrested seven vessel operators for boating under the influence, issued seven resource citations, 64 boating citations, 144 written warnings and responded to two reportable boating accidents. The officers also assisted with locating two missing children in Henderson Beach State Park and assisted EMS with handling medical response calls on Crab Island.

Santa Rosa County

• Officer Mullins received a complaint of individuals illegally living in Blackwater State Forest Wildlife Management Area. Officer Mullins and Lieutenant Berryman located the subjects who were situated off a small forest trail. They were illegally camping in a 20’ camper trailer, which had a strong smell of illegal drugs emitting from it. They had two broken down vehicles, litter, pets off leash, and cut trees in the area. The subjects were issued multiple citations and trespassed from the area.
• Over Memorial Day weekend, Officers Corbin and Mullins were patrolling Blackwater River State Park for public safety purposes and conducting traffic stops in high pedestrian areas. While in the area, the Officers stopped a vehicle with an expired tag. It was determined the operator was a habitual traffic violator with nine prior driving-while-license-suspended/revoked convictions. The subject was placed under arrest, charged and transported to the county jail.
• While on patrol in Blackwater State Forest Wildlife Management Area, Officer Mullins stopped a subject operating an all-terrain vehicle. The officer determined the subject is suspended from hunting and fishing under the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact for a previous hunting violation. At the time of the stop, the subject was in possession of a fishing rod, gig, and fishing net and had a bucket of bream he illegally caught in the area. The subject was charged an additional three times and issued a citation for the ATV violation.
• Officer Corbin was on patrol at Navarre Beach boat ramp when he was flagged down about a hit and run accident in the parking lot. As the officer approached the area, the vehicle returned to the parking lot. Vehicle damage was observed on the rear of the vehicle and the driver side of the other vehicle. While speaking with the operator of the vehicle, the subject had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and showed other signs of impairment. The subject agreed to perform standard field sobriety tasks and showed signs of impairment. The subject was placed under arrest for driving under the influence and later provided breath samples over the legal limit. The subject was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail for DUI and causing property damage.
• Officers Mullins and Corbin were on park patrol in Blackwater State Park when they observed a vehicle being operated with a tag that expired in 2013. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The driver has had nine previous convictions for driving on a suspended/revoked license and was placed under arrest for felony driving with a suspended/revoked license.

CASES

Baker County

• Senior Officer Gill was at Ocean Pond checking boating safety equipment at the boat ramp. He noticed a small boat pass others waiting to load their boats. He contacted the operator and noticed signs of impairment. The officer administered standardized field sobriety tasks and based on the results, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence. The operator was booked into the Baker County Jail and provided a breath sample that was over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. 

Columbia County

• Senior Officers Yates and Davenport responded to a complaint regarding illegal camping at River Rise Preserve State Park.  The officers encountered two individuals and their six dogs in a wooded area.  A warrants check revealed the female subject had multiple warrants from out of state and one in-state warrant.  The female subject was arrested on the warrant and transported to jail by Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The subjects were cited for numerous violations.
• Senior Officers Yates and Davenport responded to Ichetucknee Springs State Park regarding a 4-foot American alligator. Officer Davenport and the park manager found the alligator about 300 yards downstream from the swimming area. The swimming area was reopened after the alligator was relocated.
• Senior Officer Yates was patrolling the Santa Fe River over the holiday weekend and initiated a vessel stop to conduct a boating safety inspection, During the inspection, the officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from the subject. After a brief investigation, Officer Yates arrested the subject for boating under the influence and booked him into the Columbia County jail.
• Lieutenant Kiss responded to a report of a mother and her teenage daughter that encountered a fox attemping to kill one of their chickens. In trying to address the threat, both women received bites from the fox. They sought immediate medical care and received rabies vaccines.

Dixie County

• Officer Specialist Troiano was on patrol near Shired Island when he observed two subjects with fishing gear in their kayaks. Officer Specialist Troiano conducted a marine resource inspection and found the subjects to be in possession of undersized red drum and spotted sea trout. Appropriate citations and warnings were issued.

Duval County

• Officer Hausler and Lieutenant Hein were on water patrol on the St. Johns River and conducted a boating safety inspection on a vessel. During the inspection, Officer Hausler noticed many signs of impairment from the operator. Additionally, while completing the inspection, another individual on a personal watercraft approached the vessel and began speaking to Officer Hausler and Lieutenant Hein with slurred speech. At the conclusion of the boating inspection, Officer Hausler arrested the initial vessel operator for boating under the influence. Lieutenant Hein administered standardized field sobriety tasks on the PWC operator and he also was arrested for boating under the influence. Both subjects were transported to Duval County Jail, refused breath tests, and were booked into jail.
• Officer Hausler and Lieutenant Hein were on state water patrol on the St. Johns River and conducted a boating safety inspection on a vessel. Officer Hausler noticed signs of impairment from the operator and began a boating under the influence investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence.  The subject refused a breath test and was booked into Duval County Jail.
• Officer Goodfellow and Captain Haney were on patrol on the St. Johns River and conducted a stop on a vessel with the operator, his wife, and three children on board. While conducting a vessel safety inspection, Officer Goodfellow detected numerous signs of impairment as the operator attempted to locate and provide the required safety gear. Following an investigation, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence, booked into Duval County Jail, and was cited for not having enough life jackets on the vessel.
• Officer Hauge, Senior Officer Read, and Lieutenant Givens were on water patrol when they responded to a boating accident where a personal watercraft reportedly collided with another vessel in Fort George River.  The officers located the vessel and the personal watercraft and were gathering information from the operator and occupants of the involved vessel and the PWC operator. While speaking with the PWC operator, Officer Hauge noticed signs of impairment from the subject. The subject was asked to participate in standardized field sobriety tasks, and he refused. The subject was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and refused the breath test. The subject was transported to the Duval County jail and booked for boating under the influence and refusing a breath test.
• Officer Hauge and Captain Haney were on water patrol in Julington Creek where they initiated a vessel stop to conduct a boating safety inspection. The officers noticed signs of impairment from the vessel operator. They administered standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the vessel operator was impaired.  The subject was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and refused the breath test. The subject was transported to the Duval County jail and booked for boating under the influence and refusing a breath test.
• Officer Austin and Lieutenant Colonel Eason were on water patrol in Sisters Creek where they stopped a vessel to perform a boating safety inspection. Austin noticed signs of impairment from the vessel operator. He administered standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the vessel operator was intoxicated. Lieutenant Colonel Eason counted 101 empty beer cans on the vessel. The subject was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and refused the breath test. The subject was transported to the Duval County jail and booked for boating under the influence and refusing a breath test.
• Senior Officer Sapp and Lieutenant Bridwell were on water patrol in the Intracoastal Waterway and stopped a personal watercraft for a boating safety inspection. Senior Officer Sapp conducted the safety inspection and detected signs of impairment from the operator. During the boating under the influence investigation, the operator was determined to be impaired and was arrested. The subject refused to provide a sample of his breath. He was booked into the Duval County jail and charged with boating under the influence, refusal to provide a breath sample, no registration, no boater identification card, no sound-producing device, and improper display of registration.

Gilchrist County

• Senior Officer Davenport was patrolling the Santa Fe River over the holiday weekend and initiated a vessel stop to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from the subject. After a brief investigation, Officer Davenport arrested the man for boating under the influence and booked him into the Gilchrist County jail.

Hamilton County

• Senior Officer Nichols was patrolling Eagle Lake Fish Management Area and conducted a freshwater fisheries inspection on a subject the officer had encountered a few years ago. During the current stop, the subject was found to have 63 panfish. The limit for panfish is 50 per person, per day.  After the investigation was completed, the man was charged with possession over the bag limit of panfish. 
• Area officers and investigators worked at the annual Florida Folk Festival in White Springs. Officers remained busy throughout the weekend with calls for service including thefts, vehicle crashes, missing children, disruptive patrons and a subject who needed medical care after falling.

Nassau County

• Officer Specialist Stuhr and Major Lee were on water patrol and stopped a vessel on the Intracoastal Waterway to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the stop, Officer Stuhr detected a heavy alcohol odor from the operator and signs of impairment. After conducting the standardized field sobriety tests, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence. The operator gave a breath sample, which was over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The operator was booked into Nassau County Jail.

Suwannee County

• Officers Boone and Nichols were patrolling the Suwannee River when they observed a personal watercraft violating the restricted area zone. The officers conducted a vessel stop on the vessel and immediately suspected the operator was impaired. After standardized field sobriety tasks were administered, the officers determined the operator was under the influence of alcohol. The operator was arrested and transported to Suwannee County Jail for boating under the influence. Once at the jail, the operator provided a breath sample that registered over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
• Major Lee was flagged down by a concerned citizen at Sandy Point Boat Ramp over the busy Memorial Day weekend in reference to a possible intoxicated person. The concerned citizen explained they had witnessed a subject nearly fall off a golf cart due to intoxication. Major Lee then observed the man behind the wheel of a truck as he was preparing to leave. Major Lee contacted the man to prevent him from driving away. Officers Covington and Hilliard arrived on the scene a short time later to assist. The officers administered standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the man was under the influence of alcohol. The man was taken into custody and booked into Suwannee County jail. Once at the jail, the man refused to provide a breath sample and was charged with driving under the influence.
• Officers Burnsed and Waychoff were patrolling Santa Fe River when they stopped a vessel for a safety inspection. Officers noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vessel and the operator showed signs of impairment. After the operator performed standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator refused the breath test and was booked into the Suwannee County Jail.

Taylor County

• Officers Edwards and Rowe were patrolling the Steinhatchee River when they stopped a vessel with several subjects on board. During the inspection, the officers found seven undersized spotted sea trout along with one undersized flounder. Two subjects admitted to catching and keeping fish. Both subjects were issued citations for the violations.
• Officer Edwards and Captain Huff were patrolling the Steinhatchee River when they saw a vessel with fishing equipment come into the river. They conducted a resource fisheries inspection and located five undersized spotted sea trout and two undersized black sea bass. The operator was cited for the violations.
• Officer Edwards and Captain Huff were checking anglers returning to the Steinhatchee River and stopped a vessel for a fisheries inspection. The captain of the vessel told the officers he had some grunts in his cooler. When the cooler was inspected, the operator was found to have two bags of red snapper fillets and no grunts. The officers then counted out the fillets. The operator was issued several citations for possessing 12 red snapper fillets during the closed season, over the bag limit of red snapper, and not landing red snapper in whole condition.
• Officer Edwards and Captain Huff were checking boats in the Steinhatchee River. They stopped one vessel and located seven spotted sea trout. Of the seven, four of them were undersized. The operator was issued a citation for the violation.
• Officer Rowe and Lieutenant Loyed were checking anglers south of Grassy Island. They stopped a vessel and located eight black sea bass. The operator was issued a citation for possession of four undersized black sea bass.
• Officer Rowe and Lieutenant Loyed were patrolling off the coast and had stopped a vessel for a boating safety inspection. The operator was showing signs of impairment. After Officer Rowe conducted standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator was booked into the Taylor County jail where he provided a breath sample that was over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Duval County

• Throughout the Memorial Day Weekend, Officer Sweat, Officer Schirbock, and Lieutenant Colonel Eason conducted shorebird patrol at Huguenot Memorial Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, Big Talbot Island State Park, and Amelia Island State Park. They educated the public on the numerous critical wildlife areas in these parks actively being used by nesting shorebirds. Numerous individuals were warned for being inside closed areas.

RESCUES

Taylor County

• Officer Humphrey was on water patrol near Steinhatchee when he was flagged down by boaters regarding a vessel making circles in the channel with no one on board. The officer saw two people in the water near the circling boat. Officer Humphrey rushed in, pulled the swimmers from the water, and secured them on a good Samaritan vessel. He then slowed all boat traffic down in the area until Lieutenant Loyed and Officer Rowe arrived on the scene to assist. Lieutenant Loyed was able to throw an anchor line into the vessel prop to choke the motor down. Once the officers gained control of the vessel, it was towed to a local marina. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined the vessel’s steering had failed, causing the two occupants to be ejected.

CASES

St. Johns County

• While on patrol during the Memorial Day weekend, Officer Specialists Thomas and Lawrence spotted a boat they recognized as a vessel that had run from them three years prior in reference to underage drinking. The officers stopped the same subject for a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the operator showed signs of impairment. Upon completing an investigation, Officer Thomas determined the operator was impaired and he arrested the subject for boating under the influence.

Putnam County

• Officer D. Dickson was traveling down Rodman Dam Road in Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle coming toward him in his lane of travel. The vehicle was attempting to pass another vehicle on a curve over a double yellow line. Officer Dickson and the other vehicle had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Officer Dickson initiated a traffic stop and observed a box with a beer label in the middle of the road along with several freshly exploded cans of beer. An investigation revealed both subjects in the truck were under 21 years of age. One subject admitted to illegally purchasing the beer and the other admitted to throwing it from the vehicle after seeing law enforcement. The subjects were charged with possession of alcohol under 21 years of age and littering under 15 pounds.

Brevard County

• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer Hopkins were on state water patrol near Cape Malabar when they observed a vessel violating a slow speed zone. A vessel stop was initiated to address the violation. During the stop, Officer Hopkins observed signs of impairment and requested the operator perform standardized field sobriety tasks. Officer Hopkins determined the operator was impaired and placed him under arrest for boating under the influence. The subject was booked into the Brevard County Jail and charged with BUI and refusal to submit to a breath test. 

Indian River County

• Officer Specialist Marroquin was on state water patrol near the Sebastian Inlet Sandbar when he observed a vessel having difficulty navigating the shallow area. Officer Marroquin stopped the vessel to conduct a vessel safety inspection and observed signs of impairment. The operator agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks and performed poorly. The subject was arrested for boating under the influence and provided a breath sample over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The subject was booked into the Indian River County Jail.

Orange County

• Officers Hocker and Navarino were on airboat patrol on the St. Johns River when they observed a large group of individuals cast netting from the bank of the river. Upon investigation, it was determined the individuals had harvested freshwater gamefish by illegal method. The individuals were cited accordingly.

FWC officers assisted with clearing an airplane after an emergency landing on Highway 50 in a rural part of the county. FWC officers were first on scene. They directed traffic and safely pulled the plane off the highway. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Osceola County

• A boating under the influence arrest from July 2022 by Officer Specialist Marroquin resulted in a guilty verdict for felony boating under the influence (3rd or more). The subject was sentenced to 30-days in jail, 18-months probation, 90-day boat impoundment, DUI school, and a 10-year driver’s license suspension. The subject was also fined $4,700.
• While on patrol along Alligator Lake, Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vessel operator struggle to load the boat at the ramp. The operator overran the trailer several times and then dragged the motor's skeg across the concrete ramp. Lieutenant Lightsey approached and conducted a boating safety inspection and found the operator showed signs of impairment. After conducting the inspection and performing standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence.
• While on patrol of the C-33 Canal, Lieutenant Lightsey observed a jet ski in violation of the idle speed zone. The operator pulled the ski up and beached it on the cement ramp. Lieutenant Lightsey approached to address the violation and noticed several signs of impairment. The operator admitted to consuming alcohol and prescription medication. After conducting standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence.

Marion County

• Lieutenant Seiler and Officer Specialist L. Dickson were on foot patrol after dark at a local boat ramp when they observed a vessel being towed into the ramp with no navigation lights. Officer Dickson approached the operator to conduct a boating safety inspection and address the navigation related violation. During the inspection and throughout the encounter, several signs of impairment were observed. Officer Dickson administered standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the operator's normal faculties were impaired. The subject was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail, where they provided a breath sample over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
• Officer Specialist Hayes and Officer Lambert were on foot patrol at a local boat ramp when they contacted a vessel operator to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection and throughout the encounter, several signs of impairment were observed. Officer Lambert administered standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the operator's normal faculties to be impaired. The subject was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where they refused to provide a breath sample. 

Volusia County

• Officer Quick was on water patrol on the St. Johns River when he observed a vessel violating an idle speed no wake zone. Officer Quick stopped the vessel to address the violation. While conducting a vessel safety inspection, Officer Quick observed signs of impairment from the operator. The operator agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks and Officer Quick determined the operator was boating under the influence. The operator was placed under arrest for operating a vessel while his faculties were impaired and received the appropriate warnings and citations for the other violations.
• Officer Schaffer was on water patrol in the Intracoastal Waterway near Lighthouse Point when he noticed a vessel violating the slow speed zone. Officer Schaffer stopped the vessel to address the violation and conducted a safety equipment inspection. The operator of the vessel was showing signs of impairment during the inspection. The operator agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks and did poorly. Officer Schaffer determined the operator, who was under 21 years of age, to be under the influence. The operator was placed under arrest.     

Lake and Sumter Counties

• Officers from Lake, Sumter, Polk, and Hernando Counties participated in a detail targeting illegal night hunting, alcohol, and littering in the Richloam and Green Swamp Wildlife Management Areas. During the detail, officers checked numerous wild hog hunters. In addition, they broke up a large group of about 50 people having a party. There were 10 citations issued for possession of alcohol in Richloam WMA and several other violations were addressed by the officers.
• While on water patrol on the Clermont Chain of Lakes, Senior Officer Phillips and Officer Specialist Teal conducted a stop on a vessel without a current registration. The officers conducted a safety inspection and determined the vessel was rented. The inspection revealed the vessel was not equipped with the required safety equipment. The operator said they were on the way back to the ramp to meet with the man they rented it from. They stated the vessel was not operating like it was supposed to. The officers escorted the vessel to the ramp where they met with the livery owner. An investigation revealed the man the vessel was rented from was cited for a livery violation in the last year. The subject was cited appropriately.

Sumter County

• Officer Specialist Scrambling and Officer Bellville were working airboat patrol on the Withlacoochee River when they observed a vessel with one male subject onboard. As they approached, the subject turned his vessel away from them in a manner consistent with not wanting to be checked. The officers conducted a stop to inspect his vessel for the required safety equipment. During the inspection, the officers observed several signs of impairment. The officers conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the subject was operating a vessel while his normal faculties were impaired. Officer Scrambling placed the subject under arrest for the violation. The subject was cited for boating while normal faculties were impaired, failure to submit to a lawful breath test, and no registration onboard.

Seminole County

• While patrolling the St. John’s River around Mullet Lake, Officer Easterbrook stopped a vessel and conducted a safety inspection. During the inspection, Officer Easterbrook noticed signs of impairment from the operator and administered standardized field sobriety tasks. The operator was subsequently booked into the Seminole County Jail for boating under the influence.

Orange County

• While patrolling Wekiwa Springs State Park, Officer Eastbrook observed two individuals operating enduro motorcycles without tags inside the park. Officer Easterbrook stopped the individuals and during his investigation, he learned neither motorcycle was registered. Both subjects were cited accordingly.
• While conducting water patrol on the Conway Chain of Lakes, Officer Wild observed a violation and stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. While doing so, he observed signs of impairment from the operator. Officer Wild conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the subject was operating the vessel while his normal faculties were impaired. The operator was placed under arrest and booked into the Orange County Jail for boating under the influence.
• While conducting water patrol on the Butler Chain of Lakes, Officer Wild was alerted to assist Orange County Sheriff’s Office with locating a careless boater that nearly collided with another vessel. After locating and stopping the vessel, Officer Wild observed signs of impairment from the operator. Standardized field sobriety tasks were performed, and after failing to perform the tasks successfully, the operator was placed under arrest and booked into the Orange County Jail for boating under the influence. While at the jail the operator refused to submit to a breath test.  The operator also received several uniform boating citations.

RESCUES

Volusia County

• During the holiday weekend, Senior Officer McDonough and Officer Specialist Demeter were aboard the FWC offshore patrol vessel Osprey when they heard a distress call 15 miles northeast of Ponce Inlet. Three subjects were on board a 22-foot bay boat that was taking on water. The Osprey crew was able to locate the distressed vessel quickly and provided the subjects with a manual bilge. Enough water was pumped out to get the distressed vessel on plane. The Osprey escorted the vessel to the inlet where the escort was taken over by Officer Specialist Bertolami and Officer Schaffer. The vessel in distress followed the officers to the nearest boat ramp without it sinking. The three subjects were appreciative of FWC and the team effort.

CASES

Charlotte County

• Officers Salem, Lejarzar, Birchfield and Lieutenants Stasko and Ruggiero attended the Charlotte County Public Safety Appreciation night. This annual event is designed to recognize public safety personnel for the many outstanding things they do each year. This year, Officer Salem was selected as the Officer of the Year for Charlotte County because of his passion for Florida’s resources and the work he has done to embrace the FWC’s mission. Officer Salem was recognized for the many youth events he volunteers for, resource cases he’s worked including commercialization of wildlife, and the de-escalation of a situation involving a suicidal man with a rifle on a boat.   

Hillsborough County

• Officer Kyle Freda responded to a report of wood storks being shot at an apartment complex.The officer located two wood stork carcasses behind one of the buildings and both had wounds to the head. Based on the location of the birds, witness testimony and interview with a subject of interest, Officer Freda found probable cause to direct file charges with the State Attorney’s Office regarding take of a bird protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• While on patrol, Officers Caldwell and Rorer, and Lieutenant Pettifer observed numerous individuals in the tree line along the Tampa Bypass Canal. As half the group began to return to their vehicle, Lieutenant Pettifer conducted a resource inspection and located a bag and cooler containing meat. The defendants advised they had killed an armadillo and a wild hog. Officer Rorer began an inspection of the individuals still on state lands and located a firearm. The defendants walked the officers approximately a mile into the woods to the site where they had field dressed the animals. The officers found the remains of the wild hog and armadillo in the area. The defendants were issued notices to appear for hunting on state property.

Lee County

• Officers Lejarzar and Hardgrove were on patrol when they observed a subject diving near a structure.  Spearfishing is illegal in Lee County within 500 yards of the county shoreline.  When they approached the individual, he came out of the water with a speargun and was in possession of several fish with spear holes.  The individual had a prior spearfishing violation and was issued a notice to appear. 
• Officer Bradley Johnson was on water patrol when he received a report of a vessel operating recklessly and had been observed throwing one of the occupants out of the boat.  Officer Johnson located the vessel and began a safety inspection. During the inspection, Officer Johnson observed indicators that the subject may have been operating the vessel under the influence. The officer administered standardized field sobriety tasks and arrested the subject for boating under the influence.  At the jail the subject submitted a breath sample and was charged with boating under the influence.
• Lieutenant Ruggiero was on patrol when he encountered a subject punching the passenger’s side window of a parked vehicle and breaking the side rear view mirror off the vehicle. Lieutenant Ruggiero de-escalated the situation. Cape Coral Police Department arrived on scene and conducted an investigation.  
• Lieutenant Ruggiero assisted in a search and recovery after witnesses saw a man jump off a fishing pier and drown.  When the lieutenant arrived on scene, witnesses pointed out where they last saw the subject. Many agencies and dive teams were involved in the search and eventually the subject was located and pronounced deceased on scene. 
• Officer Lejarzar heard a police helicopter in the early morning hours and called to determine the nature of the emergency.  He learned officers were searching for a young autistic female who had wondered away from her house in the middle of the night. K-9 officers indicated it was possible the girl may be in the water so Officer Lejarzar quickly retrieved a patrol vessel and responded to the area.  Lieutenant Ruggiero also responded and the two FWC officers coordinated with the sheriff’s department. Officer Adam Brown also arrived on scene to assist.  While searching the waterways, Officers Lejarzar and Brown located the girl who tragically was deceased.  The sheriff’s office completed the investigation.

Manatee County

• Officer Specialist Chris Davidson was conducting a fisheries inspection on the Southwest Florida Water Management District property known as Terra Ceia Frog Creek. Suspecting the angler had been tipped off, Officer Davidson called for the assistance of Officer Specialist Malachi Wilkins and his K-9 Havoc. Officer Wilkins and Havoc were able to locate two buckets hidden in the bushes along the shoreline. One of the buckets contained an out-of-season, undersized snook. The individuals admitted to catching the snook with a cast net and hiding it after being alerted by phone of FWC’s presence in the area. The individuals were cited accordingly.

Pinellas County

• While on land patrol, Lieutenant Bibeau observed two individuals wade fishing. He drove to a concealed location and waited for the individuals to return to the shoreline. A short time later, he made contact with them to conduct a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, he found the individuals to be in possession of four undersized trout. One of the individuals admitted to catching three of the trout and was issued a citation for harvesting undersized trout while the second individual received a warning for the fisheries violation.

Sarasota County

• Officer Blyar, Officer Polaszek, Officer Morrison, and Officer Devine were on water patrol in the Venice Inlet when they observed a vessel with multiple fishing rods coming into the inlet. They asked the captain if they had caught any fish. A passenger on the vessel said they had caught lane snapper only. A fisheries inspection was conducted and it revealed undersized, out-of-season red snapper and an undersized red grouper.  The captain was charged with being in possession of out-of-season red snapper, being in possession of undersized red snapper, and being in possession of undersized red grouper.

RESCUES

Sarasota County

• Officers Blyar and Devine, and Senior Officer Polaszek were on patrol in the Venice Inlet on Memorial Day weekend and responded to a report of a young male subject who was fishing on the north jetty when he fell in the water and was near drowning.  When the officers arrived on scene, a good Samaritan had pulled the youth onto the rocks of the south jetty.  Officer Polaszek maneuvered the vessel in high seas close enough to the jetty for officer Blyar to jump on the rocks.  Officer Blyar immediately began life-saving efforts on the subject.  A Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived and began performing chest compressions while Officer Blyar continued rescue breaths.  They continued this until EMS arrived.  The child was flown to a children’s hospital in stable condition.

CASES 

Glades County

• Officers Naules and Watson observed a subject throwing a cast nest in freshwater. During the resource inspection, the subject was found to be in possession of multiple freshwater gamefish including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and other panfish. The subject was arrested for harvesting freshwater game fish by illegal method (cast net).

Hendry County

• Senior Officer Polly observed a group of subjects throwing cast nets in freshwater and conducted a fishing license and resource inspection. During the inspection, it was found one of the subjects was in possession of a largemouth bass and 12 bream. The subject was issued a criminal notice to appear for the unlawful possession of freshwater fish with a device prohibited for taking freshwater fish.

Martin County

• Officers Pecko and Hudson were on vessel patrol at the Stuart Sandbar and observed the bow of a vessel sitting low in the water. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a safety inspection. Due to the observations of the operator and the totality of the circumstance, the operator was arrested and charged with operating a vessel while normal faculties impaired. The operator refused to provide a breath sample at the county jail.
• Officer Landers and Captain Yetter were conducting surveillance at the Jensen Beach Causeway when they witnessed a subject land a snook from the pier. The man looked around, then jumped on a bicycle with the fish and took it to his truck. Once there, he stuffed the snook in a black garbage bag, shoved the fish behind the driver seat and returned to fishing. Officer Landers contacted the man on the pier and asked if he caught anything. He responded with a no. The officer checked his fishing license then asked one more time if he caught anything, and the subject gave the same response.  The officer then requested to see what was wrapped in the black garbage bag behind the driver’s seat of his truck. When measured, the snook was found to be less than the 28” – 32” slot size required for harvest.  The individual was issued a notice to appear citation for the under-slot snook.

Palm Beach County

• While on patrol in the A1-Flow equalization basin, Officer Tarr observed two individuals with a cooler who were cast netting and cleaning tilapia at the water’s edge. While approaching the subjects, the officer observed a second cooler in the bed of a vehicle. A resource inspection of the cooler in the vehicle revealed a yellow-bellied slider on ice. After speaking to the subjects, one of the subjects admitted to picking up the turtle from the water’s edge and putting it in the cooler. The subject was issued a citation for violation of Executive order 21-19.
• Officers Wences and Harris were conducting land-based water patrol on State Road 80 east of State Road 700 when they observed two subjects fishing with a cast net. While conducting the resource inspection, Officer Harris discovered two bluegill and two redear sunfish that were taken by illegal method. Citations were issued accordingly.
• Officer Riggs was patrolling in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area when he received a photograph of a subject illegally entering the WMA. Officer Riggs contacted a subject matching the description of the photograph. The subject admitted to entering and exiting the WMA and understood it was not a designated entrance. The subject was issued a citation for illegal entry and exit and was cited accordingly for not having his daily use fee paid and using an ATV inside of Corbett.
• Officers Moss and Trawinski were conducting fisheries inspections aboard the offshore patrol vessel Atlantic Defender. They came across a vessel coming back from a fishing trip.  During the inspection, they discovered 11 undersized dolphin. The next vessel they checked also had undersized dolphin, and another vessel inspection revealed a harvested queen triggerfish. All violators were cited accordingly.
• Officer Trawinski observed a vehicle driving erratically on I-95. He stopped the vehicle to ensure the driver’s welfare. During the initial contact, it became apparent the driver was impaired.  After conducting roadside standardized field sobriety tasks, the driver was arrested for DUI. The driver provided breath samples that were almost three times over the legal limit. The driver was booked into Palm Beach County Jail.

St. Lucie County

• Officer Payne conducted a fisheries inspection on subjects fishing from a vessel in Fort Pierce. Officer Payne asked if they had any fish on board and was told only sail cat. Further inspection of compartments revealed four undersized mutton snapper. The operator of the vessel was issued a notice to appear for possession of less than legal sized mutton snapper.
• Officers Payne, Bingham, and Miano stopped a vessel on plane in a manatee zone in Fort Pierce. The operator displayed signs of impairment during the vessel stop and performed poorly on the standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject was arrested for boating under the influence, then transported to St Lucie County Jail where he refused to provide a breath sample.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Broward County

• Recruiters Michael Albert and Ronald Washington presented at a career day at North Fork elementary school and shared advice and stories to engage with the students about boating safety, conservation of native wildlife, environmental stewardship and activities within the FWC. They answered questions about the journey to become an officer and the career opportunities at the FWC. 

CASES

Collier County

• Officer Wagner and Officer Reams received a call from off-duty Officer Rubenstein about a snorkeler in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in a no-swim zone and failing to display dive flag. The officers responded to the area and found the individual. Officer Wagner observed the subject spear a nongame fish in the water and when he surfaced, told him to exit the water and go to his vehicle. The vehicle had a bucket with fish that included three more nongame fish, three largemouth bass, and one peacock bass, all of which were speared. The snorkeler claimed responsibility for the fish and was issued citations for spearfishing in a state park, spearfishing in freshwater, nongame fish by illegal method, and gamefish by illegal method.
• Officer Yurewitch and Officer Oldsen were on water patrol near Johnson Bay and Hall Bay when they observed a vessel on plane in a slow speed manatee zone. They conducted a vessel stop to conduct a safety inspection and address the violation and noticed indicators of impairment from the operator. The officers administered the standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject performed poorly and was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. At the jail the subject provided a breath sample over the legal limit.
• Officer Stearns was at Bayview Park in Naples at dusk checking incoming boats when he noticed a jon boat operating erratically. The subject struggled through the safety inspection, which led to a boating under the influence investigation. At the completion of the investigation, the subject was arrested for boating under the influence. Officer Jackson assisted.
• Officer Jackson and Officer Pierre-Louis observed two subjects in a small boat fishing near a ramp at sunset.  They waited for the subjects to land at the ramp and then conducted safety and resource inspections.  One subject had six undersized mangrove snapper that were not kept in whole condition in his possession and was issued two notices to appear.