FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports for June 23-29

June 23 through June 29, 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

• Officers Alsobrooks and Jarrell were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a boat with fishing rods and stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection they discovered two undersized red snapper. The captain stated someone else gave them the undersized fish. A citation was issued to the individual.
• Officers Alsobrooks and Jarrell were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a boat with fishing rods and stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, two undersized red snapper were discovered. A citation was issued to the individual.
• Officer Jarrell and N. Basford were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a vessel returning from fishing and stopped it to conduct a resource inspection. The four individuals on board stated they had their limit of red snapper. During the inspection, they were found to be over the bag limit and had one undersized red snapper. A citation was issued for possession of undersized red snapper and a warning for over the bag limit.
• Officers T. Basford and Palmer were on patrol in St Andrews State Park at the boat ramp. While conducting a boating safety and resource inspection on a vessel that had returned to the ramp, they found the occupants were over the bag limit of red snapper. They also discovered all the occupants were under the age of 21 and had alcohol on board. Other violations included no valid saltwater fishing licenses, insufficient number of personal flotation devices, and registration violations. Several citations and warnings were issued to the vessel occupants.
• Officer Gore received a report of an individual harvesting over the bag and oversized red drum at the Dupont Bridge area on Tyndall Air Force Base. Just before Officer Gore arrived, the suspect left the area. Officer Gore was able to locate a fresh large redfish carcass that had been filleted where the subject’s vehicle had been parked. A good description of the subject’s vehicle allowed Officer Gore to locate the vehicle. Once located, a stop was conducted and a resource inspection was done. Officer Gore located a whole redfish and two redfish fillets. The individual was charged for over the bag limit of red drum.

Escambia County

• Major Rondeau and Officers Hahr and Allgood were patrolling offshore and conducted boating safety and resource inspections on two boats. The boats were in possession of undersized red snapper. Both vessel captains were cited for possession of undersized red snapper.
• Officers Allgood and Hahr were on patrol and conducted resource inspections on a boat returning from fishing with a large bag of snapper and other reef fish. The man and woman were in possession of 22 vermillion snapper, two over the bag limit. The captain of the vessel was cited for the bag limit violation.

Gulf County

• Officer Gerber was on patrol conducting boating safety and resource inspections when he observed a vessel with four people return to the boat ramp. During the inspection, he found they were in possession of over the bag limit of red snapper. The appropriate individual was cited for the violation.
• Senior Officers M. and H. Webb were on patrol checking vessels returning from fishing. They were on the Gulf side of Cape San Blas when they stopped a vessel with four people on board. An inspection revealed the subjects were in possession of nine red snapper and two undersize tripletail. The subjects were charged with over the limit red snapper and undersized tripletail.

Santa Rosa County

• Officer Lewis was patrolling in the Blackwater State Forest when he encountered a camper he had spoken with earlier about litter around her campsite. As he was talking to her, he observed drug paraphernalia on her car hood. The woman grabbed it and tried to bury it in a mud puddle and ignored Officer Lewis’ commands to stop. As he tried to take the woman into custody, her pit bulldog attacked the officer. The woman was subdued and arrested for resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and tampering with evidence.   

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Baker County

• Officer Waychoff participated in Baker County 4-H’s freshwater fishing day. Officer Waychoff talked to the 4-H students about native and non-native freshwater fish, the history of fishing conservation, relevant fishing regulations, and best practices for boating safety while fishing. Students also demonstrated proper life jacket use and identified boating safety equipment.
• Officers Waychoff, Starling, Hausler, and Gill hosted a “Learn to Be a Game Warden” event for the Bradford County Library’s Children Services program. The officers presented how FWC officers work to stop poaching. Officers set up a mock poaching scene for the students to investigate. The students earned their Junior Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer badges. Students also got the opportunity to watch K-9 Camo demonstrate the many capabilities of the FWC’s K9 program.

Duval County                                                                                                

• Officer Hauge, Investigator Holleman and Jacksonville field office Administrative Assistant Grossmann participated in an outreach event at the Jacksonville University Marine Center providing high school students the opportunity to explore different careers.  The FWC representatives spoke with the 10 participants about the daily duties and responsibilities of an FWC conservation law enforcement officer.

CASES

Brevard County

• While patrolling from Port Canaveral, Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Hedgepeth conducted a resource inspection on a charter vessel. The officers found the operator of the charter vessel to be in possession of an undersized cobia. The captain of the vessel was cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer St. Martin were on water patrol when they observed a fishing vessel approaching their location. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, Officer St. Martin discovered the captain was in possession of two undersized cobia. While Officer St. Martin was dealing with the resource violation, Officer Marroquin noticed the captain showed signs of impairment. Officer Marroquin’s investigation led to the captain being arrested for boating under the influence. The captain was also charged for the resource violations.
• Officer St. Martin and Lieutenant Eller were on water patrol at Sebastian Inlet when they observed a fishing vessel returning from offshore. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource violation. Upon stopping the vessel, Officer St. Martin asked the captain how they did. The captain hung his head and stated they kept some fish they shouldn’t have. Officer St. Martin’s inspection concluded the captain was in possession of an undersized red grouper, over his bag limit of aggregate grouper, and over his bag limit of golden tilefish. The captain was cited accordingly.
• Officers Beck and Delano and Captain Gaudion were on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean when they observed a fishing vessel returning to shore. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. As the officers were approaching the vessel, they observed one of the subjects rush over to a compartment, pull out a bag of fillets, and then hide it in another compartment. Once the officers were within speaking distance, they politely asked the subject if he could retrieve the bag of fillets they just witnessed him hiding. The subject was cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer Hopkins were on water patrol in the Indian River when they stopped a vessel to conduct a vessel safety inspection and ensure the vessel complied with all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. During the inspection, Officer Hopkins noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Hopkins conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and placed the vessel operator under arrest for boating under the influence. The breath alcohol concentration of the operator was two times over the legal limit.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin was on patrol at a local boat ramp when he observed a vessel returning to the ramp. The operator appeared to have difficulty locating the boat ramp while in the Intracoastal Waterway and then began to drive his vessel erratically through the slow speed and manatee zone. Once the vessel operator made it to the dock, Officer Marroquin contacted him to address the violation. During the interaction, Officer Marroquin noticed the operator showed signs of impairment and performed poorly during standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject was arrested and transported to the Brevard County Jail.
• Officers Delano and Beck and Captain Gaudion were on water patrol when they observed a large fishing vessel approaching them. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the vessel operator was in possession of a dozen bags of filleted reef fish. State law requires all reef fish remain in whole condition until they are landed. The captain was cited accordingly.
• While on patrol in the early hours of the morning, Officer Hopkins avoided a vehicle collision when he was abruptly cut off by another vehicle pulling out of a parking lot. The vehicle crossed all lanes of traffic and nearly jumped a curb before regaining traction and reentering the roadway. The vehicle continued to fail to maintain its lane and then slow rolled through a red light. Believing the operator was impaired, Officer Hopkins conducted a vehicle stop. Upon first contact, Officer Hopkins immediately observed the subject was severely impaired. The subject performed poorly during standardized field sobriety tasks and was arrested and transported to jail. A breath test of the subject revealed his breath alcohol concentration was almost twice the legal limit.

Osceola County

• Senior Officer Platt and Officer Specialist Stelzer where on airboat patrol in Lake Marian when they observed a subject fishing from a vessel. The officers approached and conducted a resource and boating safety inspection. The officer’s inspection revealed the subject was in possession of 55 bluegill (five over the bag limit), did not have a freshwater fishing license, and was using a vessel with an expired registration. A citation and warnings were issued for the offenses.
• While on patrol at Lake Trout, Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vessel operating at a high rate of speed near the idle speed zone. He approached to address the violation and conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, Lieutenant Lightsey noticed the operator showed signs of impairment and the operator admitted to consuming alcohol. After completing standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator later refused to provide a sample of his breath resulting in a $500 civil penalty. The operator, who admitted to traveling 58 mph as he neared the speed zone, was issued citations and transported to the Osceola County Jail.
• Officers Nall and Hocker were patrolling the area around a local wildlife management area when Officer Nall noticed a vehicle slowly approach. The vehicle pulled up to a stop sign and Officer Nall pulled behind. On the paved roadway, the officers observed the operator exit his vehicle and begin shooting a 9 mm pistol in the middle of the road. The officers immediately conducted a traffic stop and secured the subject for public discharge of a firearm. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation along with infractions.

Indian River County

• While on early morning patrol of the Blue Cypress Conservation Area, Lieutenant Lightsey observed an airboat with no navigational lights returning to the shoreline. The officer approached to conduct a boating safety inspection and observed the operator showed signs of impairment. During the inspection, the operator had difficulty talking and denied, then admitted, to consuming alcohol. No safety gear was found on the vessel nor was the vessel registered. After conducting standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator, who had a prior refusal, refused to submit to a sample of his breath resulting in another criminal charge. Several citations and warnings were issued and the operator was transported to the Indian River County Jail.

Lake County

• Senior Officer Phillips was on patrol when he observed two individuals fishing at the water’s edge and conducted a resource inspection. As he identified himself, he observed one of the individuals bend over and conceal something in the water. A closer look revealed it was the handle of a handgun. Officer Phillips secured the black 9mm handgun with a fully loaded magazine. The subject became uncooperative and Officer Phillips requested routine backup. Officer Specialist Teal and Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene. A records check revealed the subject was a convicted felon and could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition. The subject was placed under arrest for convicted felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence. He was transported to the Lake County Jail without incident.

Orange County

• Officer Fahnestock was on patrol and observed a large group of individuals fishing with cast nets along the St. John’s River. He observed three individuals throwing a net from a concealed location. A while later the individuals returned to their vehicle where Officer Fahnestock and Lieutenant Mendelson were waiting. The officers conducted an inspection and identified several license and gamefish violations. One individual was issued a citation for illegal method of take of freshwater gamefish. Other license violations and possession of cast net greater than one inch with gamefish violations were addressed.

Seminole County

• Officers Easterbrook and Fahnestock and Lieutenant Mendelson were on airboat patrol during the Independence Day holiday weekend when several individuals advised the officers of a dog inside of a vehicle with the windows up and engine off in the heat of the day at a local boat ramp. As the officers approached the vehicle, several airboats and individuals were around the vehicle attempting to revive the dog. The dog died at the location. The owner was identified and at the conclusion of the incident was arrested for animal cruelty. The owner was booked into the Seminole County Jail.

Volusia County

• Senior Officers Wingard and Bertolami investigated a subject operating a boat rental/livery service that was allowing customers to rent vessels with nonservice able fire extinguishers and lacked required safety signage. The subject was allowing customers to rent vessels without pre-rental instruction and was operating the livery without an FWC livery permit. The subject was charged appropriately.
• Officers Stoker and Laroche responded to an anonymous report about an alligator being harvested illegally. Upon arrival on scene, both officers were able to get a full confession from all subjects involved. Seven bags of alligator meat, the hide from the alligator, and a .22 caliber rifle were seized. All subjects were charged appropriately.
• Officer Specialist Fletcher and Officer Vanas were on water patrol in a creek off the St. John’s River when they observed a vessel operating on plane in violation of the manatee slow speed zone. Upon stopping the vessel and contacting the operator, Officer Vanas noticed several signs of impairment. The vessel operator agreed to perform seated standardized field sobriety tasks and it was determined the subject was operating a vessel while impaired. The subject was charged appropriately. 

St. Johns County

• Officers Self and Chamberlain and Lieutenant Miller were on water patrol around Vilano Bridge when they observed a vessel violate the slow speed zone. They conducted a vessel stop and safety inspection and noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Following seated standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was determined to be impaired. He was placed under arrest and booked into the St. Johns County Jail.
• Officer Specialists Thomas and Harris, along with Officer Lemaster, were on water patrol in Matanzas Inlet and conducted a vessel stop on a personal watercraft violating a slow speed zone. During the inspection, Officer Thomas observed signs of impairment, conducted seated standardized field sobriety tasks, and placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence.
• Officer Specialist Christmas was on patrol at a local boat ramp when he observed a vessel approaching the dock. He approached the vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, he noticed the vessel operator displayed signs of impairment. He conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and the operator was ultimately arrested for boating under the influence.

Putnam County

• Officer Carroll was patrolling the St. Johns River when she contacted a vessel operator showing possible signs of impairment. After standardized field sobriety tasks were conducted, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence and taken to the Putnam County Jail without incident.

RESCUES

Osceola County

• Officers Nall, Navarino, and Hocker were patrolling a local lake during the Independence Day holiday weekend when a mother ran to the officers with her daughter in her arms. The mother and child were covered in blood. The child had fallen and hit her head on a nearby playground, sustaining a 2- to 3-inch laceration to her forehead. The officers were able to quickly stop the bleeding and provide first aid to the young girl. Emergency medical services arrived a short time later and transported the child to a nearby local hospital.

CASES

Charlotte County

• Officer Hardgrove received information about a commercial angler whose blue crab traps were being robbed repeatedly. The angler had photos and video of the subject robbing the traps. Officer Hardgrove identified the subject and his vessel and gathered enough evidence to file the case with the State Attorney. After reviewing the case, the State Attorney filed a felony warrant for the subject and he was arrested a short time later. The subject was booked into the Charlotte County Jail for robbing/molesting commercial blue crab traps. 
• Officer Lejarzar and Lieutenant Ruggiero were on water patrol when they observed a fishing vessel without a registration sticker displayed. The officers stopped the vessel to address the violation and to conduct a fisheries inspection. During the inspection, the officers determined the captain of the vessel was on a for-hire fishing charter. When asked for a fishing license, the officers determined the captain's fishing license for four or fewer passengers was expired for about a year and he was not in possession of his Coast Guard captain’s license credentials as required. He also was issued a warning for the registration not being displayed and an infraction for no charter fishing license for four or fewer passengers. The case will be referred to the Coast Guard for further investigation. 

Hillsborough County

• While on land patrol, Officer Rivard observed multiple individuals cast netting in a freshwater canal. He observed what the individuals were harvesting from a concealed location. Officer Rivard contacted the individuals and conducted a fisheries inspection when they began to pack up their belongings. At the conclusion of the inspection, he found the individuals to be in possession of 31 gamefish that had been illegally harvested with the use of a cast net. Officer Rivard issued three of the individuals citations for the fisheries violations.
• While on land patrol, Officer Rivard received a report regarding an individual shooting ducks in their backyard. Officer Rivard was familiar with the individual due to issuing citations on two previous occasions. Officer Rivard arrived on scene and was able to observe an individual walk out from their residence and shoot two black bellied whistling ducks. He contacted the individual and issued multiple citations for the violations.

Lee County

• Officers Johnson and Perry and Lieutenant Ruggiero were on water patrol when they attempted to issue a notice to appear for a derelict vessel investigation. The subject has been part of previous derelict vessel investigations. Upon arriving at his liveaboard vessel, his fiancé told the officers he was at work. However, the officers believed they saw him working on a car onshore nearby. The officers located the subject and while discussing the derelict vessel with the man, it was confirmed he had a warrant for his arrest for unpaid child support. He was arrested on the warrant and transported to the Lee County Jail where he was also charged with leaving a vessel in a derelict condition on the waters of the state. 

Manatee County

• Officer Wesche and Officer Specialist Gonzales were on water patrol when they spotted a vessel with multiple fishing rods on board returning from the Gulf of Mexico. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. During the Inspection, it was discovered vessel occupants had caught and kept 22 red snapper, six over the daily bag limit including one undersized red snapper. The captain of the vessel was issued a notice to appear for the over the bag limit of red snapper. 
• The FWC has received calls from concerned citizens and local charter companies regarding the excessive take of marine life organisms on or near the Jewfish Key area. During the Independence Day holiday weekend, FWC officers increased their patrol of this popular boater destination. In two separate cases, FWC Officers Klobuchar, Davidson, Brown, and Johnston conducted resource inspections on multiple vessels and individuals engaged in the collection of regulated marine life. In total, six individuals were issued 18 citations and multiple warnings. Violations included: Harvest of more than two live shellfish per species/day in Manatee County; harvest of more than 20 individuals per day of tropical marine life species; possession of undersized stone crab; possession of egg-bearing stone crab; possession of whole-condition stone crab; possession of stone crab during closed season; and no saltwater fishing license. Species included: pen shell, lightning whelk, channel whelk, crown conch, fighting conch, horse conch, variegated urchin, tulip snail, thin stripe hermit crab, and stone crab. 

Pinellas County

• While on land patrol, Lieutenant Bibeau observed three individuals snorkeling over a grass flat and appeared to be harvesting marine life. He waited for the individuals to return to the shoreline and contacted them to conduct a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, he found the individuals to be in possession of 44 bay scallops. Lieutenant Bibeau issued one of the individuals a citation for harvesting bay scallops in a closed area.
• While on patrol, Officer Criswell responded to a call referencing the daily feeding of alligators in a local retention pond. Officer Criswell located the retention pond and observed three subjects feeding a 6-foot-long alligator. She identified the three subjects, educated them about alligator statutes and the danger of feeding alligators, and issued the appropriate citations. The alligator was later removed from the retention pond by SNAP due to the public safety risk from feeding.
• While on land patrol, Officer Criswell responded to a call referencing a vessel on a dock without the permission of the owner. She investigated and determined the vessel to be legally derelict and identified the owner. Officer Criswell was able to locate and contact the vessel owner. She issued the appropriate citations and derelict vessel paperwork.
• While on nearshore Joint Enforcement Agreement water patrol, Senior Officer Ferguson, Officer Criswell, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Officer Bibler conducted a resource inspection on a charter head boat. Officers found the vessel registration had not been updated in 10 years and the vessel was never titled in the new owner’s name. Upon performing a charter inspection, the officers discovered the crew was not participating in the required drug testing consortium, were not using the required circle hooks, did not display a federal reef fish permit, and did not have the required turtle release gear. Officer Criswell issued the appropriate citations to the owner of the head boat and referred the federal charges to NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard.
• While on water patrol, Senior Officer Ferguson and Officer Criswell observed a personal watercraft operating on plane in a slow speed zone. They conducted a vessel safety stop on the PWC and Officer Criswell observed signs of impairment. Officer Criswell administered the seated battery of standardized field sobriety tasks. Officer Criswell developed probable cause that the operator was impaired and placed him under arrest for boating under the influence.

CASES 

Broward County

• Officer Bouras was on patrol near Ft. Lauderdale Beach when he observed a diver exiting the ocean with a speargun. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection on the individual. The subject was found to be in possession of undersize red grouper and was cited for the violation.
• Officer Sellers was on beach patrol in the vicinity of Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  She observed a diver exiting the ocean with a speargun. She conducted a marine fisheries inspection on the individual.  The subject was found to be in possession of undersized hogfish and undersized mutton snapper and was cited for the violations.
• Officer Constance was on beach patrol in the vicinity of Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  He observed a diver exiting the ocean with a speargun. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection on the individual. The subject was found to be in possession of undersized hogfish and undersized red grouper and was cited for the violations.
• Officer Constance was on patrol near the Commercial Pier. He observed two divers exiting the ocean with spearguns. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection on both divers.  One subject was found to be in possession of over the bag limit of barracuda and the other subject was found to be in possession of a speared spiny lobster, possession of spiny lobster out of season and possession of egg bearing spiny lobster and was cited for the violations.
• Officers Constance and Bouras were on patrol in the Hillsboro Inlet area and conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a vessel that was inbound from the ocean. Pursuant to the inspection, one individual was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersize dolphin.
• Officer Sellers was on patrol on Alligator Alley in the vicinity of the boat ramp near the 35-mile marker. She observed an individual fishing and conducted a freshwater fisheries inspection. Pursuant to the inspection, the individual was issued a notice to appear for possession of over the bag limit of peacock bass.
• Officers Bruder, Dudas and Lieutenant Harp conducted a resource inspection on a vessel offshore from Dania pier. An undersize mutton snapper was found on the vessel. The subject was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersize mutton snapper.
• Officers Bruder, Dudas and Beppel conducted a resource inspection on a vessel coming into Port Everglades. After the subject advised he had not caught anything, the officers discovered an undersized sailfish on the vessel. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
• Officer Favrot conducted a vessel stop near Dania cutoff canal. During the stop, the officer noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Favrot conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and subsequently placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence.
• Officer Giani conducted a vessel stop near Port Everglades inlet. During the stop, the officer noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Giani conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and subsequently placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence.
• Officer Constance conducted a vessel stop near Hillsboro inlet. During the stop, Officer Constance noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Constance conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and subsequently placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence.
• Officer Olivera conducted a vessel stop at the 15^th Street boat ramp in Ft. Lauderdale. During the stop, Officer Olivera noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Olivera conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and subsequently placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence.
• Major Bonds conducted a vessel stop in the Intracoastal Waterway, along Hillsboro Beach. During the stop, Major Bonds noticed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Giani conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and subsequently placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence.

Glades County

• Officer Hudson was patrolling when he observed a subject fishing in freshwater by the old sportsman canal boat ramp from a vessel with an expired registration. The officer waited until the subject came to the boat ramp and then conducted a resource inspection. The subject was found to be in possession of seven undersized crappie. The subject had several prior charges from the FWC and was issued a notice to appear citation for undersized crappie in addition to six warnings for boating safety and traffic violations.

Hendry County

• Officer Dziewiatkowski, Officer Tarr, and Officer Pridgen were conducting surveillance at Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area during a night hunting task force operation when they observed a vehicle traveling slowly, making frequent stops, and displaying multiple lights capable of disclosing the location of wildlife. The officers conducted a traffic stop and upon inspection, a crossbow and multiple spotlights were discovered.  The subjects were issued notices to appear in court for the violations.

Martin County

• Officer’s Cernuto and Whitty were on patrol along the Intracoastal Waterway in vicinity of the entrance of Jimmy Graham boat ramp when they observed a vessel on plane in the manatee zone. The vessel then continued through the manatee zone on plane and into a blind mangrove. The officers conducted a vessel stop to address the violation. Upon contacting the operator, Officer Cernuto saw multiple alcoholic beverages onboard. Both the operator and the single occupant were under 21 years of age. The legal limit for operating a vessel under 21 years of age is .02. Officer Cernuto asked the operator to provide a sample of his breath on a portable breath test (PBT), which yielded a result of .085. The parents of both juveniles were contacted to pick up their children and the operator was issued citations for operation of a vessel by a person under 21 years of age with a breath alcohol level of .08 or higher and for violation of the manatee zone.
• Officer Koger was on patrol in the Manatee Pocket when he observed a vessel plowing through the slow speed zone. Officer Koger stopped the vessel to address the violation. The vessel had multiple rods and other fishing gear onboard. The occupants said they had caught a few fish. Officer Koger inspected their catch and found one mangrove snapper to be undersized. The subjects had received a previous citation for undersized fish in Martin County. A subject was issued a warning for the slow speed zone and a misdemeanor citation for the undersized snapper.
• While patrolling Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area, Officer Koger observed three vehicles parked at the end of Road 3. Officer Koger could clearly see hunting equipment and corn within the vehicles. While monitoring them he heard a rifle shot in the nearby woods. Officer Koger observed individuals with firearms walk back to the vehicles with a recently harvested wild hog. Officer Koger approached the hunters and advised them of the numerous violations. Upon further investigation Officer Koger confirmed the wild hog had been shot on the adjacent private property. Each of the hunters were issued citations for illegal entry/exit into the wildlife management area.
• Officer Landers was conducting fisheries inspections on the west side of the Jensen Beach Causeway. He was checking a young subject at the end of the causeway who claimed to have only caught puffer fish and found five empty alcoholic beverage containers, a glass bong and four undersized snapper. The 18-year-old subject was issued citations for possession of alcohol by a person under 21, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of probation, undersized mangrove snapper and undersized mutton snapper.  Additionally, he was issued a citation for no saltwater shoreline fishing license.
• Officers Wences, Cernuto and Landers were conducting a vessel safety inspection during the holiday weekend. The vessel operator was having issues locating the required safety equipment and Officer Wences observed an open alcoholic beverage container and the smell of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vessel operator. Officer Wences conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the vessel operator was impaired. The operator was arrested for BUI and transported to Martin County Jail.

Okeechobee County

• Officer Hudson was patrolling Lake Okeechobee when he observed a commercial charter bow fishing vessel with several occupants on board. The vessel was stopped, and numerous commercial safety equipment violations were detected including not having child life jackets for the children on board. The charter captains were cited for 15 violations. 
• Officers Padgett and Officer Allen observed a group of men next to the Nubbins Slough structure in Lake Okeechobee. Two of them were involved in using a cast net. An inspection revealed the subjects had caught several game fish, eight black crappie and a bluegill with the net. Only nongame fish may be taken with a cast net in freshwater.  The two subjects were given notices to appear in court for the violation.
• Officer Specialist Allen was patrolling the Paradise Run area when he observed a subject trespassing and fishing on the S-84 South Florida Water Management District structure. The subject walked by two "No Trespassing” signs and a “No Fishing” sign when entering onto the structure. He was issued a notice to appear in court for the violation.

Palm Beach County

• Officer Harris responded to a subject harvesting softshell turtles. The violation occurred on the canal adjacent to U.S. Hwy. 27, on the outskirts of South Bay. Upon contact, Officer Harris observed the subject was in possession of seven live softshell turtles, hidden within rice sacks. In addition, Officer Harris found 13 unmarked bush hooks, salt pork, and more rice sacks. The subject informed Officer Harris of 18 more bush hooks that were being fished in the immediate area. With the assistance of Officer James Riggs, all 18 remaining bush hooks were located and photographed. The subject was charged for violating Executive Order 21-19 and unmarked bush hooks.
• While on patrol, Officer Stiltner checked a group of anglers night fishing on the south side jetty of the Jupiter Inlet. One of the subjects was found to be in possession of an undersized mutton snapper. Officer Stiltner charged the subject for undersized mutton snapper and a warning for having no valid saltwater or shoreline fishing license.
• While on vessel patrol, Officer Stiltner and Officer Rea initiated a vessel stop to conduct a fisheries inspection near Peanut Island. Upon inspection, Officer Rea found the subject was in possession of a sailfish that was not in whole condition. The subject also did not possess an HMS permit to take the billfish in federal waters where he said he caught the sailfish. Officer Stiltner and Officer Rea issued the subject a notice to appear in court citation for billfish not landed in whole condition and a warning for no Federal HMS permit. 
• Officer Matthews and Investigator Merizio responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle with two subjects and a vessel entering private property. When they arrived, they found the reported vehicle parked on private land. Upon further investigation, two subjects were found trespassing by entering private land to gain access to South Florida Water Management District canals. The subjects were cited accordingly and escorted off the property with the landowner being notified.
• Officer Koger was on patrol on the Intracoastal Waterway in Lake Boca when he observed a vessel overloaded with occupants. As he approached the vessel to address the possible violation, he saw the operator almost hit a piling. Once contact was made, Officer Koger detected numerous indicators of impairment.  After performing poorly on seated standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for suspicion of BUI. The operator provided breath samples that were over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The operator was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail and was charged with boating under the influence. A citation also was issued for insufficient lifejackets for the occupants onboard.
• Investigator Merizio received a call from a contact at Phipps Ocean Park and Beach in Lake Worth that someone had caught and kept a tarpon. He shared the information with Investigator Phillips, and she identified and contacted the angler. The subject was found to be in possession of an approximately 40-pound tarpon.  The subject claimed he didn’t know the law; however, several beachgoers came forward to Investigator Phillips stating they had told the angler the fish needed to be released.  The subject was issued a resource citation for possession of tarpon and a warning for no tarpon tag. 

St. Lucie County

• Officer Bingham observed several individuals on surf boards while patrolling offshore. Closer inspection revealed they were spearfishing. While conducting a license and resource inspection, Officer Bingham determined one subject had harvested a snook, which are currently out of season, in addition to spearing being a prohibited method of harvest. The subject was cited for the violation and received several warnings. 
• Officer Payne was on patrol and observed a vessel being operated by a subject sitting on the side of the vessel forward of the center console. During a vessel safety inspection, Officer Payne observed signs of impairment and the subject had slurred speech. Seated standardized field sobriety tasks were conducted and the subject was placed under arrest for BUI. He was transported to the jail where he refused to provide a breath sample.

Monroe County

• Officer Reinhardt was patrolling No Name Key when he stopped to check an angler at the bridge. Upon inspection he found a small yellowtail snapper in one of the subject’s coolers. The individual admitted to not measuring the fish and was issued a citation for the undersized fish along with a written warning for no saltwater fishing license.

CASES

Collier County

• Officer Jackson and Officer Specialist Osorio responded to a report of a subject catching and keeping snook from a beach at Marco Island. Officer Jackson observed the subject, then made contact to initiate a resource inspection. The subject was in possession of two undersized snook during the closed season as well as two undersized mangrove snapper. The subject was issued multiple citations.

Miami-Dade County

• Officer Gutierrez was on foot patrol the Rickenbacker Causeway when he found a subject to be in possession of undersize mutton snapper, mangrove snapper and a filefish. The subject was issued three citations.
• Officer Saavedra was working the Marine Stadium Area when he witnessed a personal watercraft operating at a high rate of speed in a slow speed zone. The PWC was stopped for a boating safety inspection. The operator was determined to be impaired and was arrested for boating under the influence.

Monroe County

• Investigator Chris Mattson and Officer Jessica Diaz were on unmarked federal water patrol near Conch Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area when they observed a vessel stern anchored to a mooring buoy. The subjects onboard were fishing in an area clearly marked as “no fishing.” An inspection of their catch revealed several undersized schoolmaster snapper as well as undersized yellowtail snapper. Investigator Mattson issued a federal citation to both subjects for fishing in the SPA and citations for the snapper violations.
• Investigator Chris Mattson and Officer Jessica Diaz were on federal water patrol in an unmarked vessel and in plain clothes inside the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is closed to spearfishing. They observed a boat at anchor and displaying a dive flag. They were four free divers in the water all spearfishing. They approached the vessel, identified themselves as FWC law enforcement and stated the reason for the stop. Investigator Mattson issued the four subjects federal citations for spearfishing in the Key Largo EMA. The subjects had speared an undersize hogfish and one subject admitted to shooting the fish. Officer Diaz cited the subject for possession of undersize hogfish and an infraction for littering in state waters (throwing cigarette butt into the water).
• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked federal water patrol in plain clothes, east of the Benwood Wreck in the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is closed to spearfishing. Investigator Mattson observed a subject and two juveniles in the water free diving. Further investigation revealed they were spearfishing in the prohibited area. Investigator Mattson contacted the free divers and revealed himself as FWC law enforcement.  Further investigation revealed the adult subject was in possession of two undersize schoolmaster snapper. The adult subject received a written citation for possession of undersize schoolmaster snapper and a federal citation for spearfishing in the Key Largo EMA.
• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked federal water patrol in plain clothes when he observed a vessel at the extreme north end of the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is closed to spearfishing. The subject was spearfishing in the closed area. Investigator Mattson issued a written federal citation for spearfishing in Key Largo EMA.
• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked federal water patrol in plain clothes when he observed a vessel at the extreme north end of the Key Largo Existing Management Area. The man was spearfishing in the closed area and was issued a federal citation for spearfishing in the prohibited area of Key Largo Existing Management Area.

RESCUES

Collier County

• Officer Conroy and Officer Specialist Osorio responded to a report of subject asking for a ride on the horse trails in the Picayune Strand State Forrest. The report stated the subject had no shoes and was deep in the woods but did not appear to be in distress. However, Officer Conroy found the subject lying on the side of the trail, shaking, extremely dehydrated, and delusional. The officers transferred the subject out of the woods to meet a nearby ambulance. The subject, who was determined to be a missing person from a local nursing home, was transported to the hospital to receive treatment.