FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: July 28-Aug. 3, 2023

July 28 through August 3, 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

Citrus County

• Lieutenant Ransom, Officer Pietroburgo, and Officer Jovanov were conducting patrols near local scalloping areas over the weekend and observed four vessels operating above idle speed on plane within 300 feet of properly displayed diver down flags and scallopers in the water. All vessel operators were stopped and cited for the violations. 

Columbia County

• Senior Officer Davenport received a Wildlife Alert tip about a subject possessing a raccoon without a Class III permit. Once arriving at the residence, the officer observed a raccoon was observed trough the living room window. Officer Davenport met with the homeowner who stated the raccoon had been in his possession for nearly 1 1/2 years.  When asked if he had purchased the raccoon from a licensed dealer, he said no and indicated some young boys brought it to him. The officer explained a Class III permit from the FWC was required to possess the raccoon. The homeowner signed the raccoon over to the FWC and it was taken to a rehabilitation facility in Lake City.  A written warning was issued for possession of the raccoon without a Class III license.  
• Officer Fanelli and Shope were on patrol in Osceola Wildlife Management Area when they located two individuals catching a hunting dog. The officers searched the immediate area and located deer tracks exiting the woods where multiple hunting dogs exited as well. Appropriate citations were issued for training deer hunting dogs during the closed season and hunting dogs not properly restrained in Osceola Wildlife Management Area during the closed season.

Union County

• Officer Fanelli and Shope responded to a complaint regarding an individual in possession of a fawn. The officers responded to the residence and the homeowner admitted to possessing a fawn. Appropriate citations were issued. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Columbia County

• Senior Officer Johnston spoke to approximately 30 children at a youth summer camp hosted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at the Richardson 6^th Grade Academy. After playing basketball with the kids, Officer Johnston spoke to them about the roles and responsibilities of an FWC conservation law enforcement officer and answered several questions.

Clay County

• Officers Waychoff and Starling visited a local school in Fleming Island and conducted a program about the duties and responsibilities of being an FWC conservation law enforcement officer to the 50 students in attendance. The officers spoke about native wildlife, FWC’s mission, and why wildlife conservation is important. Officers set up a mock poaching crime scene for the students to investigate, collect evidence, and identify suspects. Students earned their Junior Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer badges. Several students said they want to be a Florida wildlife conservation officer when they grow up.

OFFSHORE PATROL

• Senior Officer Suttles and Officer Hughes conducted two-day high active patrols on offshore patrol vessel Fincat targeting federal fisheries violations offshore. On the first day of the patrol, the officers patrolled out to 70 nautical miles offshore. Officers observed a vessel returning from offshore and conducted a marine fisheries inspection. Officer Hughes located a greater amberjack on board, which was out of season, and issued federal citations for the violation.
• Officer Suttles boarded a vessel for a resource inspection and found six large red grouper and gray triggerfish on board. Both species were out of season. Officer Suttles issued multiple citations for the violations. 
• Officer Hughes boarded a vessel and found red grouper on board. Officer Hughes issues the subjects citations for the violations. 
• Senior Officer Suttles and Officers Hughes, Ulrich and Dykstra patrolled 100 nautical miles out to the Florida Middle Grounds and conducted various inspections during the day. A commercial vessel was boarded for a marine fisheries inspection. Officers located filleted lane snapper being used as bait and not in whole condition. Multiple dead vermillion snapper and undersized gray snapper were found in the bait well and multiple gray triggerfish were in the ice box on board. The triggerfish was closed commercially. The subjects, including the captain and crew, will be charged federally for the violations.
• Officer Dykstra boarded a recreational vessel for compliance and located eight out-of-season red grouper, 11 out-of-season triggerfish, and an undersized scamp grouper. Officer Dykstra issued citations to the five subjects on board for the violations. 
• Officer Suttles and other officers observed another fishing vessel and when they initiated a stop, they observed the vessel moving away from where it was previously anchored. When officers arrived at the vessel’s original location, two red grouper were found floating on the surface. Officers retrieved the fish and noted they were cold to the touch and had signs of rigor mortis.  Officer Suttles and other officers boarded the vessel and issued multiple citations for possession of out-of-season red grouper and interference with an FWC inspection. 

RESCUES

Citrus County

• Lieutenant Ransom and Officer Specialist Sarmiento received a call regarding a stranded vessel taking on water with several people on board. Within an hour, the vessel in distress was located and the passengers were safely returned to shore via patrol vessel. 

CASES

Lake County

• While on patrol in the Emeralda Marsh, Officer Specialist Weber and Officer Drake encountered a suspicious vehicle blocking a water management gate. A query of the vehicle’s tag revealed it was assigned to a different vehicle. Upon contacting the vehicle’s occupants, a wants and warrants check was conducted, revealing one of the occupants had an outstanding warrant from Brevard County for failure to appear in court. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Lake County Jail. 

Orange County

• Officer Navarino was on patrol in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area when he stopped a vehicle to check the occupants’ day use permit. Officer Navarino observed signs the individuals had been cast netting. The individuals stated they had come back from cast netting but did not catch anything. Officer Navarino conducted a resource inspection and discovered numerous freshwater fish inside of a large cooler. Officer Navarino located a plastic bag inside the cooler that contained a black bass. The vehicle operator’s driver’s license was suspended and he had a tag seizure issued. Officer Navarino seized the tag, had the vehicle towed and issued citations accordingly. 
• Officer Navarino was on patrol on Highway 50 when he observed three individuals cast netting on the St. Johns River. When the individuals returned to their vehicle, Officer Navarino conducted a resource inspection resulting in the discovery of numerous freshwater gamefish taken by an illegal method. The individuals were cited accordingly. 

St. Johns County

• While on patrol, Officer Dodd observed multiple subjects using an illegal monofilament net to harvest fish in state waters. With assistance from local officers, Officer Dodd contacted the subjects and conducted a fisheries inspection. As a result, three separate monofilament nets were seized. In addition, several hundred pounds of saltwater fish harvested illegally were seized. As a result of the investigation, the subjects were arrested and booked for felony net violations and numerous misdemeanor fish violations. 

Volusia County

• Officer Specialist Thornton and Officer Robinson addressed multiple park, traffic and state law violations during a detail at a state park. They observed a female in the park selling illegal narcotics, which resulted in her arrest for possession of an illegal narcotic with intent to sell and possession of cannabis over 20 grams. Other violations addressed were driving while license suspended, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, illegal method of taking gamefish, failure to obey traffic control devices, trespass warning, and warnings for violating park rules. 
• Officer Cornell was on patrol when he observed a subject harvesting commercially exploited plant life. Upon making contact, Officer Cornell discovered the subject did not have any of the required permits or paperwork from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The subject was charged appropriately.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Lake County

• Officer Specialist Weber and Officer Drake spoke with the Mount Dora Brazilian Jiu Jitsu summer camp about being an FWC officer. The officers discussed several topics ranging from boating safety and the importance of wearing a life jacket to what they should do when encountering wildlife. The officers also brought a small alligator for the children to see.

Osceola County

• Officer Specialist Weber and Officer Drake spoke with the St. Cloud Boys and Girls Club about becoming an FWC conservation law enforcement officer. The children had several questions regarding the day-to-day responsibilities of an FWC officer. The officers brought the Wildlife Alert trailer for the children and discussed boating safety and Florida wildlife.

Seminole County

• Lieutenant Mendelson, K-9 Officer Specialist Hadwin, and K-9 Blue participated in a local church Animal Camp. The officers brought a wildlife display trailer and a live alligator and conducted a K-9 demonstration for over 100 children. They educated the kids about native Florida wildlife and provided a hands-on learning experience about the importance of conservation and FWC’s role in conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources.

CASES

Highlands County

• Officer Jonathan Yakel and James Adams were patrolling the west side of Lake Huntley when they observed a subject fishing on a dock with a rod and reel. Officer Yakel approached the subject and requested to see his fishing license. The subject advised he didn’t have one and provided Officer Yakel with a Florida I.D. Officer Yakel ran the subject through dispatch and discovered the subject had an active warrant in Hisghlands County for failure to pay child support. Upon confirmation of the warrant, Officer Yakel placed the subject under arrest. The subject resisted and attempted to flee but was quickly restrained. While being searched, it was discovered the subject was in possession of a loaded .22 revolver and a small package of fentanyl. The subject was booked into the Highlands County Jail for the outstanding warrant and additionally charged for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for resisting. 

Hillsborough County

• While conducting resource inspections along the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Officer White and Officer McCormack conducted a resource and fishing license inspection of a group fishing along the seawall. During the inspection, the officers were notified by FWC dispatch that one of the subjects in the group may have a warrant for their arrest. The officers verified the individual in the warrant matched the individual in the group. Once the warrant was confirmed, Officer White placed the subject under arrest for an out of county warrant and transported the individual to Hillsborough County Jail. 
• While on water patrol near Ben T Davis Beach slow speed zone, Officers White and McCormack observed a personal watercraft operating on plane in a posted slow speed zone. The officer conducted a vessel stop to address the violation and conduct a vessel safety inspection. During the vessel stop, the operator of the PWC refused to identify themselves, an interference with the officer’s investigation. The operator received an explanation about the state law they had violated. The subject was arrested for interference or obstruction of a FWC officer and transported to Hillsborough County Jail. Appropriate resource citation and written warnings were issued.  
• While on water patrol near Hwy. 60 in Old Tampa Bay, Officers White and McCormack became aware of a subject renting personal watercrafts from the beach area and those same PWCs were operating on plane in the posted slow speed zone. The officers conducted a livery Inspection, which resulted in numerous violations. The subject illegally renting the PWCs received the appropriate uniform boating citations and written warnings. 

Monroe County

• While on water patrol, Officer Specialist Bell, and Officers Kampmann and Russell saw a vessel with a diver down flag near Long Key. A resource inspection revealed the occupants of the vessel had kept four undersized spiny lobster. Officer Russell issued the captain of the vessel a notice to appear for the violation.

CASES

Broward County

• While working a targeted enforcement action during the spiny lobster recreational mini-season, K-9 Officer Tarr checked a diver who came up on the beach. During the inspection, Officer Tarr found the man to be in possession of a single, egg bearing female spiny lobster. The subject was cited accordingly. 
• Officers Bouras and Constance were on water patrol in Port Everglades when they responded to a call from a Broward Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. With information from the BSO deputy, Officer Bouras issued a notice to appear to one individual on board the vessel the deputy had stopped. The individual was charged with possession of four undersize spiny lobster. 
• Officers Bouras and Constance were on water patrol in Port Everglades when they conducted a marine resources inspection on a vessel returning from the ocean.  Pursuant to the inspection, one individual was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersize spiny lobster. 
• Officer Sellers was on patrol at the 14^th St. boat ramp in Pompano Beach. She conducted a marine resource inspection on an individual at the boat ramp. Pursuant to the inspection, the individual was issued a notice to appear for possession of egg-bearing female spiny lobster. 
• Lieutenants Ryan and Harp were on water patrol in Port Everglades during the spiny lobster recreational mini-season. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel. One undersize and egg bearing spiny lobster was found on the vessel. The subject responsible was issued a citation for both violations. 
• Officers Comartin and Dudas were on water patrol near Ft. Lauderdale. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel that had rods and reels onboard. One undersize/speared 11-inch hogfish was found in a live well. The subject was issued a citation for the undersize fish. 
• Officers Dudas, Bruder, Comartin and Bovee were on water patrol near Ft. Lauderdale. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel with visible dive gear. While checking spiny lobster, Officer Comartin found a 14-inch hogfish in the bottom of the cooler. The subject was issued a citation for the violation. 
• Officers Walcott, Perez and Giani were on water patrol near Hillsboro Inlet. They observed a subject spearfishing less than 10 feet from the inlet jetty. The subject was removed from the water and issued a citation for the violation. 
• Officers Walcott, Perez and Davis were on water patrol in Hillsboro Inlet. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel with fishing rods coming from offshore. The subject was found to be in possession of seven undersize mahi/dolphin. The subject was issued a citation. 
• Officers Pierre and Beppel were conducting water patrol near 14^th Street in Pompano Beach. They conducted a resource inspection on a vessel in possession of four mahi/dolphin. Two of the fish were found to be undersize, and the subject admitted to not having a measuring device on the vessel. The subject was issued a citation for the violation. 

Martin County

• While conducting vessel patrol, Officer Specialist Cernuto and Officer Godward conducted a vessel stop to address a manatee zone violation. Upon contacting the operator, multiple signs of impairment were observed. After a boating under the influence investigation, the subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Martin County Jail. The subject was charged with BUI – normal faculties impaired and refusal to submit. 
• Officer Specialist Cernuto responded to a call regarding a subject who was reported to have hidden a snook in his vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Specialist Cernuto conducted a resource inspection and located the snook. The subject was issued a citation for possession of snook out of season and possession of undersize snook. 
• While conducting vessel patrol, Officer Godward and Officer Specialist Cernuto conducted a vessel stop to conduct a fisheries inspection. The subject onboard was found to be in possession of undersize mangrove snapper, undersize black drum, and possession of a deceased marine life species. The subject was issued citations for the violations. In addition, the subject, who had a lengthy history of resource violations, was issued a notice to appear in reference to fishing on a revoked fishing license. 
• Officers Whitty and Wences conducted a resource inspection of a vessel returning from the Bahamas and found the subject was in possession of multiple illegal snapper and grouper. The captain of the vessel was issued a federal citation. 
• While conducting inspections during the spiny lobster recreational mini-season, Officer Landers conducted a resource inspection and located a subject in possession of an undersized spiny lobster. The subject was issued a notice to appear. 
• While conducting surveillance, Officer Landers observed a subject catching and keeping undersized mangrove snapper. Upon conducting a resource inspection, the subject was found to be in possession six undersized mangrove snappers. The subject was issued a notice to appear. 

Okeechobee County

• Officer Allen observed a subject hunting in the Paradise Run Unit of the Kissimmee River Public Use Area during the opening day of archery season. Officer Allen checked the subject and determined he had been hunting with a crossbow, which is prohibited during archery season in the Kissimmee River PUA.  The subject was issued a notice to appear in court for the violation. 
• Lieutenant Davis and Officer Crosby responded to a complaint of a livery renting vessels without the proper permit. During the livery inspection, it was discovered the business was advertising vessels for rent but did not have a livery permit or the required insurance along with numerous other violations. Several notices to appear were issued to the owner of the livery for violation of rules and regulations regarding livery operations. 

St Lucie County

• Officer James Payne was notified by St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department about an individual harvesting saw palmetto berries inside a county preserve. Contact was made with the subject and a 5-gallon bucket of saw palmetto berries was located, which the subject admitted was his. The subject stated he knew it was a preserve and he should not be there. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation of not having a permit to harvest saw palmetto berries. The subject was also found to have an active warrant out of St. Lucie County and was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Lucie County jail. 

RESCUES

Glades County

• Officers Allen, Crosby, and Padgett responded to a request for assistance from a subject who had partially sunk an airboat and was stranded in Lake Okeechobee. Four subjects were rescued and transported to Okee-Tantie County Park.  None of the subjects were injured and there was no damage to the vessel. 

Palm Beach County

• Officer Constance and Lieutenant Laubenberger were on patrol in the A-1 FEB Public Small Game Hunting Area when they observed two individuals on the side of the levee lying down. After conversing with the individuals, the officers learned they had no food or water and had been walking for two days because they got lost after leaving U.S. 27.  They also had no means of phone communication. The officers gave the individuals water. The two individuals agreed to be taken to the City of South Bay where they would reassess their plans for travelling. Offer Lopez arrived on scene to assist with transporting the subjects to South Bay.  

CASE

Monroe County

• On the day prior to the two-day spiny lobster recreational mini-season, Lieutenant Lyne and Officer Harry Balgo observed a vessel in the vicinity of Lower Matecumbe Bight bayside of mile marker 75 harvesting lobster. The land-based officers requested assistance from an officer patrolling on the water. Officer Ryan Trueblood and Lieutenant John Allen responded and located the vessel. A fisheries inspection was conducted and it revealed 25 lobster on board, one of which was undersized (carapace less than the required 3 inches). After conducting interviews, one subject was placed under arrest for the lobster violations and multiple warnings were issued to the minors who were also harvesting lobster.
•  On the second day of the two-day spiny lobster recreational mini-season, Officers Bret Swensson and Ryan Trueblood were patrolling John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Early in the afternoon they observed a vessel with snorkelers in the water near South Sound Creek. They conducted an inspection and educated the operator and passengers about the boundaries of the state park since it’s closed to harvest of lobster during the mini season. They found no violations and issued the vessel a boating safety decal. Later in the afternoon, they observed the same boat with two subjects in the water near a small island within the boundaries of the state park. The officers approached, asked the subjects if they had caught lobster and they stated they had. Officer Trueblood then conducted an inspection of the lobster on board. There were 10 lobster on board, including two with carapace measurements less than 3 inches. In addition to the undersized lobster, all 10 lobster had their shells punctured, characteristics of being hooked by a gaff like device. Due to approaching storms, the officers issued notice to appears to the two subjects harvesting lobster. The officers returned the next day and located a homemade gaff like device stuck in the mud and hidden underneath a tree. The homemade device was collected as recovered evidence and further charges are pending.
• Lieutenant David Jernigan was traveling south on Overseas Highway through Marathon in a marked patrol vehicle when he observed a vehicle traveling south drifting from the left to the right lane. A traffic stop was conducted and Lieutenant David Jernigan detected the smell alcohol coming from the driver’s breath as he spoke and he displayed signs of impairment. The subject was asked to submit to standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject performed them poorly and became belligerent. He was taken to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office substation where he submitted to a sample of his breath. The driver was determined to be almost 3 times the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
• Officer Ruiz responded to information about four individuals fishing and possibly harvesting spiney lobsters. Officer Ruiz located the individuals and inquired if any of them had caught any fish. One of the individuals admitted to catching a small mangrove snapper. Officer Ruiz observed coolers near the individuals and was given permission to look inside. Opening one cooler Officer Ruiz saw what appeared to be an undersized mangrove snapper cut up being used as bait. Officer Ruiz asked if there was anything in the other cooler. One of the individuals stated there were a few lobsters inside. Opening the cooler, Officer Ruiz found nine lobsters, four of which were undersize. When asked, the individual stated the lobster were just crawling around and were easy to catch with a net. Lobster season was closed at this time. The individual was charged appropriately for the violations.
• Officers Sturgeon, Piekenbrock, and Garcia, responded a complaint regarding three subjects harvesting fish without measuring and bringing the fish back to their vehicle. A resource inspection revealed the three subjects were in possession of 46 mangrove snapper (31 were undersized), 5 undersized yellowtail snapper, 5 undersized mutton snapper, 7 undersized schoolmaster snapper, 1 undersized dog snapper, and 3 porkfish not in a circulating livewell. Two of the subjects had been arrested for identical charges in 2018. All three subjects were arrested.
• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked, plain clothes water patrol in an area of Key Largo known as the Triangles. Spearfishing in this area is prohibited because it is in state waters known as the Upper Keys.  All Key Largo is closed including federal waters. Investigator Mattson observed a vessel with a dive flag displayed and a subject free diving and spearfishing. Investigator Mattson cited the subject for the spearfishing violation.
• Officer Diaz was traveling northbound around mile marker 62 when he saw an individual walking toward his vehicle with a lobster bag in hand along with a spear gun. She approached the individual and asked if he had any luck catching anything and he indicated he had lobsters. The officer conducted a resource inspection and found three undersized spiny lobster and one speared spiny lobster as well as being out of season. The subject was also over the bag limit with being in possession of eight spiny lobster.  The officer placed the individual under arrest and transported him to Plantation Key Jail.
• Officer Turner was conducting water patrol in a marked patrol vessel in the vicinity of Sister’s Creek, Marathon. He observed a small vessel with two occupants fishing. When asked if the individuals had any luck, they replied that they had caught several snapper but had released them because they were too small. A marine resource inspection revealed two undersized red grouper. The owner/operator advised he had caught both fish. The individual received several uniform boating citations and warnings and was cited appropriately for the resource violation. 
• The FWC and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office worked together in a large search and rescue operation for a missing diver on the Vandenburg wreck off Key West. The diver was last seen as he descended to retrieve a tank that was dropped into the water. Using an underwater remote-operated vehicle, the deputies and officers were able to search with a live feed camera and sonar several hundred feet around the ship with the average dept of about 160 feet. The dive tank that was dropped was retrieved by the rover approximately 100 feet away from the ship, however, the diver remains missing. The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for the missing diver.