September 29 through October 5, 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

• Officer N. Basford was on patrol and checked a vessel returning from fishing to conduct a resource inspection. There were three individuals on the vessel that stated they did not have any fish in the boat. During her inspection, Officer Basford found a bag containing three Spanish mackerel fillets. The subjects stated they were using them for bait. Officer Basford explained the fish are required to be in whole condition. A citation was issued to one individual for possession of Spanish mackerel not in whole condition.
• Officer N. Basford was on patrol at the Deerpoint Dam conducting resource inspections. While talking to one individual, she noticed another person pack their gear and start to leave. She went to check the person and he stated if he had anything illegal, he would throw it back in the water. Officer Basford inspected his catch and found him to be in possession of nine undersized gray snappers. The bag limit is five per person and the minimum length is 10 inches. He was warned for being over the bag limit and issued a citation for possession of undersized gray snapper. 

Franklin County

• While on patrol in the Apalachicola River, Lieutenant Smith, Officers Hartzog and Nelson observed a vessel operating with improper display of registration and stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the operator of the vessel was observed to be operating the vessel after consuming multiple alcoholic beverages and smoking cannabis. The officers determined the operator to be operating a vessel while under the influence. The operator was arrested and transported to Franklin County Jail for boating under the influence.

Gulf County

• Officer M. Webb was checking vessels at a local ramp that were returning from fishing. He observed a vessel with four people on board. A resource inspection revealed the captain was in possession of two red groupers out of season and one undersized red snapper. The captain was cited for red grouper out of season and warned for the undersized red snapper. 
• Officers Gerber and Lipford were conducting resource inspections on dove fields during the opening weekend when they discovered a group hunting over a baited area. One individual was cited for the violation. 

Washington/Holmes Counties

• The Washington/Holmes County Squad worked a first phase dove season detail. Opening weekend of this ongoing effort resulted in six groups being checked, consisting of about 95 users in total. Three of the areas being hunted were determined to be baited. There were several license violations as well.  Appropriate citations were issued.

OFFSHORE PATROL

• While on patrol in federal waters south of Franklin County, Officers Hartzog, Sizemore, and L. Mcleod observed a vessel returning from fishing offshore. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection and observed the individuals to be in possession of several different species of reef fish. While inspecting another cooler on board, the officers discovered a concealed plastic bag containing multiple filets. The officers interviewed the individuals, and they provided a statement saying the filets were red grouper, which is currently out of season. The officers documented the violations and forwarded details of the violation to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
• Officers Cushing, Land and Waters were on patrol in federal waters off the Gulf of Mexico. They conducted a fisheries inspection on a charter vessel fishing for and in possession of reef fish. They did not have the required Federal Charter Reef Fish Permit. The violation was documented accordingly.

CASES

Citrus County

• Investigator Crane was working a detail targeting suspected night hunting in Citrus County when he observed a vehicle displaying a spotlight in a manner indicative of night hunting. Investigator Crane conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and discovered a .22 caliber rifle with a silencer and a pistol. Investigator Crane was familiar with the subject and knew he was a convicted felon and thus could not possess any firearms. The subject admitted to attempting to take deer that night and was also in possession of approximately five grams of methamphetamine. The subject was arrested and transported to the Citrus County Jail.  

Dixie County

• Officer Specialists Troiano and Robson were on patrol late at night when they observed a vessel operating without the required navigation lights. The officers conducted a vessel stop and found a subject was commercially harvesting oysters at night. During their investigation, the officers found probable cause to arrest the subject for multiple oyster violations. The subject was transported to the Dixie County Jail and booked on the following charges: unlawful harvest of oysters at night, no marine sanitation device, no bulkhead, no saltwater products license, and unculled oysters, in addition, the subject had an active arrest warrant. 

Duval County

• Lieutenant Hein responded to a vehicle accident on I-95. A witness reported one of the drivers was walking on the shoulder of I-95 away from the scene of the accident carrying a beer. Lieutenant Hein contacted the subject, who ignored him and continued walking. Lieutenant Hein detained the subject who was in possession of a tetrahydrocannabinol vape pen. Florida Highway Patrol responded to assist and the subject became more combative and uncooperative. Lieutenant Hein and a trooper were able to get her into the Florida Highway Patrol cruiser where she provided multiple fake names and tried to escape. She was transported to Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and charged with resisting arrest without violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence with property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, attempted escape, criminal mischief, and providing a false name to law enforcement. 
• FWC Pilot Lieutenant Cain, Officer Shirbock, Officer Specialist Culbreth, Officer Specialist Stuhr, Lieutenant Gilmore, and Officer Goodfellow were conducting a night flight detail in Duval and Nassau counties. Lieutenant Cain and Officer Shirbock observed vehicle lights in Jennings State Forest from the FWC helicopter. Lieutenant Gilmore and Officer Goodfellow responded to the location and located a vehicle leaving a campground area. Lieutenant Gilmore conducted a traffic stop to address the after-hours state forest violation. During the stop, Lieutenant Gilmore detected signs of impairment from the operator as well as an odor of alcoholic beverages and marijuana. The operator stated he had consumed about four beers and disposed of the cans at the Hammock Campground, but he knew his limits and was good. Officer Goodfellow also responded and requested the subject perform seated standardized field sobriety tasks. The operator was placed under arrest for operating a vehicle while normal faculties were impaired. He then informed the officers he had two rolled marijuana joints in the console of his vehicle. The marijuana cigarettes were seized and placed into evidence. The operator was transported and booked into Clay County jail by Officer Goodfellow and the vehicle was towed. The operator provided a sample three hours after the initial stop, which was over the legal limit for blood alcohol content. Additionally, he admitted to smoking a joint while he was in the process of consuming the beer.

Taylor County

• Officer Clark was patrolling Snipe Island Wildlife Management Area. He received a tip from a hunter about a subject shooting over his bag limit of deer earlier that morning. Officer Clark was able to identify the subject in question. The subject admitted to shooting two deer that morning in Snipe Island Wildlife Management Area. Officer Clark informed him that the bag limit for deer in the Snipe Island Wildlife Management Area is one deer per person per day. Appropriate charges will be directly filed with the State Attorney’s Office. 
• Officer Clark was conducting patrol within a local hunting club when he observed a vehicle from Indiana hidden in the woods. The subject was trespassing on the property. Upon identifying the subject, it was determined he had a nationwide extraditable warrant from Indiana. The subject was transported to the county jail for the active warrant and issued a warning for trespass.

Levy County

• Officers Bell, Dean, and Drew were patrolling near S.R. 121 after dark. This is an area where deer are visible in clear cuts and fields at night. At about 2:30 a.m., the officers observed a truck slow down as it approached the area. The driver shined a spotlight in a sweeping motion consistent with someone looking for deer. The officers stopped the truck on suspicion of attempting to take deer at night. Upon inspection, the driver was found to be in possession of two rifles each with a round in the chamber. The driver was cited for attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light. 
• Officers Fox and Dykstra were patrolling near the Hwy. 40 boat ramp in Yankeetown when Officer Dykstra conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel. The captain of the vessel said he had caught some snapper. The inspection revealed he was in possession of five mangrove snapper all of which were under the legal minimum size of 10 inches. The captain was cited for the violation. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Columbia County

• Senior Officers Bryan and Johnston recently participated in the homecoming parade for Columbia High School. They were in a marked patrol vehicle and towing a patrol vessel during the festivities. The officers networked with members of other public safety and law enforcement agencies, businesses, community leaders, and the community’s youth who represented various athletic teams and clubs in the county. It was a safe and enjoyable experience and the officers received several positive comments from the 5,000 people in attendance. 
• Senior Officers Bryan, Davenport, and Yates participated in the annual National Night Out Community Oriented Policing Initiative sponsored by the Lake City Police Department. This was a national event occurring in towns across the country. FWC officers interacted with hundreds of youth and families, leaving positive impressions on the next generation of outdoor stewards. The officers provided marked trucks, patrol vessels, and utility task vehicles on display with full emergency lighting in operation. The officers’ display afforded photo opportunities and a chance to answer questions about hunting, fishing, and career opportunities with the FWC. Officers were also able to network with other agencies who participated in the event including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Columbia County Fire Rescue, Lake City Fire Department, Lake City Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Corrections, United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police and Vet Centers, and American Legion among others. 

CASES

Marion County

• While patrolling a wildlife management area, Officer Specialist D. Dickson and Officers Roberts and Lambert heard several gunshots fired in rapid succession. While investigating the shots, the officers located a vehicle and contacted the occupants. They observed an unsecured handgun on the vehicle dashboard. The subjects admitted to target shooting into an abandoned boat hull nearby. Further investigation revealed the handgun had been reported stolen out of Citrus County as part of a vehicle burglary. The subject was arrested for grand theft and transported to the Marion County Jail without incident. 
• Officer Lambert received information regarding a subject illegally placing bait within a wildlife management area. Based on the information, Officer Lambert located the bait site and confirmed corn was on the ground. Officer Lambert monitored the site and on the opening morning of hunting season, Officer Lambert found a subject hunting over the bait and cited him accordingly.

St. Johns County

• Senior Officer Thomas and Officer Aultman responded to a wildlife management area in reference to subjects using a cast net to fish from a canoe. Fish may be taken by hook and line only in this particular WMA. The subjects were located, and after conducting surveillance from a concealed location, the officers made contact to conduct a resource inspection. Upon inspection, the subjects were found to be in possession of close to 100 fish, which varied in species. Appropriate citations were issued. 
• Officer Lemaster conducted a fisheries inspection at the Matanzas National Park Bridge. During the inspection, a subject was found to have two undersized red drum. A license check also revealed the subject lived out of state and had yet to obtain a nonresident saltwater fishing license. The subject was cited accordingly.  
• While on water patrol, Senior Officer Thomas and Officer Aultman located six untagged crab traps near the Matanzas Inlet. Upon inspection, none of the traps had identifiable owner information or biodegradable panels. The officers conducted surveillance and observed a subject tending the untagged traps. Officer Thomas met the owner at their dock as they returned with nine additional untagged crab traps. Officer Thomas issued the owner four misdemeanor citations for no markings on blue crab trap buoys, no trap owner information, no degradable panels, and having more than five blue crab traps. 
• Officer Lemaster coordinated a targeted enforcement action in Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve focusing on resource, boating safety and park rule violations. This effort involved local FWC officers, investigators, K-9, and local agencies. As a result, 500 users and 20 vessels were inspected during the detail. In addition, 22 resource citations, 39 written warnings, four boating citations, and one physical arrest were documented as part of the effort. Park staff and the public commended the officers for their efforts in protecting this unique resource.

Brevard County

• Officer Navarino was on patrol in the Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area when he encountered two individuals. Officer Navarino observed one individual quickly walking away from the wood line and back to his friend who was sitting at a picnic table. Officer Navarino noticed a rifle between the two subjects and conducted a resource inspection. They stated they were not hunting and the gun was for self-defense. Officer Navarino searched the area where he observed the individual walking away from. He located an eastern diamondback rattlesnake alive inside a small black carrier. The individuals were cited accordingly. 
• Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Osborn were patrolling near State Road 520 and the Banana River when they observed a light in the water. The officers located an individual spearfishing the rocks along the shoreline. A resource inspection revealed the individual had harvested several undersized sheepshead. The individual was cited accordingly. 
• Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Osborn observed a light in the water near State Road 528 and the Banana River. The officers observed two individuals exit the water and walk under the causeway. A resource inspection was conducted, and one individual had a dive mask and a speargun. Further inspection located six undersized sheepshead, five of which were harvested by the speargun. The individual was cited accordingly. 
• Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Osborn observed a vessel return to Port Canaveral with several scales. While inspecting the vessel, the officers located approximately 200 mullet inside coolers and buckets. The individuals had several prior violations with FWC. They were cited accordingly for possession of over the bag limit of mullet. 
• Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Osborn observed a vehicle trespassing on a closed road without lights on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. A traffic stop was initiated. A total of five individuals were inside the vehicle and were in possession of illegally harvested saw palmetto berries from the refuge. Officer Specialist Rasey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Officer Hamilton assisted the officers and located over 300 pounds of saw palmetto berries illegally harvested from the refuge. The individuals were cited accordingly.

Indian River County

• After receiving information about potential night hunting violations, Lieutenant Lightsey conducted surveillance of a remote area. After watching three vehicles with numerous hunters pursuing wild hogs from private land and the right-of-way, a resource inspection was conducted. The group was found to be hunting on private land without written permission, hunting from the road and the right-of-way, and hunting with dogs without hunter information attached. A notice to appear and warnings were issued for the violations. 

Flagler County

• Officer Specialist Christmas was on patrol when he observed an angler at a local park. He conducted a resource inspection on the subject and during the inspection, he located two undersized mangrove snapper. The subject was cited for harvesting the two undersized fish. 

RESCUES

Osceola County

• Officer Hocker received information about an elderly individual lost inside Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. The individual stated he lost his sense of direction and gave the location of his truck. Officer Hocker located the individual’s truck and located foot sign heading into the woods from the driver side door. By following the foot sign, Officer Hocker was able to locate the individual and bring him safely back to his vehicle.

CASES

Charlotte County

• Officer Salem received information about a derelict vessel in the local waterway. The vessel was completely submerged and tied to shore. An investigation was started.

Hillsborough County

• Officer Specialist Reece Alvis was working a dove hunting detail near a farm when he observed three subjects in camouflage holding shotguns. He contacted the subjects and inspected their licenses and shotguns. Two of the shotguns were capable of holding more than three rounds in the magazines and one subject did not have a migratory bird stamp. Further investigation revealed there were whole corn kernels scattered on the field in numerous areas. It is illegal to take migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited. Two of the three individuals were guests hunting on the property and had no knowledge of the bait. The main subject was issued a citation for hunting over a baited field and issued warnings for using a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds and not having a valid migratory bird permit. The other two subjects were issued warnings for hunting over a baited field and one of them was issued a warning for using a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds.

Lee County

• Lieutenant Ruggiero responded to information about a vessel leaking gas/oil into the waterways. Upon investigation, he found the vessel was partially sunk and there was an oil slick emitting from the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard and fire departments were contacted to contain the contaminants. A derelict vessel investigation has been started.
• Officer Hardgrove was on patrol when he checked several anglers returning from fishing. When he asked if they had any fish, they told him they had a bag limit of trout for each of the four people. Upon inspection, Officer Hardgrove determined the subjects were one over their bag limit for the group and one of the fish was undersized. After discussing the violations with the subjects, one of them claimed responsibility for them. Two misdemeanors were issued for possession of spotted sea trout over the bag limit and possession of undersized spotted sea trout. 
• Officer Hardgrove was on patrol when he checked an angler returning from fishing. When he asked if he had caught anything, the man first said he didn’t have any fish but then later admitted to possessing a fish and pulled it out of the fish box. The fish was a gray triggerfish and appeared to be well under the legal size limit. After measuring the fish, Officer Hardgrove determined the fish was undersized and the subject was issued a citation for the violation. 

CASES

Hendry County

• Senior Officer Polly and Officer Watson were patrolling Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area during the opening weekend of the annual dove hunt. While checking hunters at one of the WMA’s dove fields, the officers came across two subjects who were hunting with unplugged shotguns capable of holding five shotshells. Both subjects were issued a notice to appear for the violations.
• Officer Watson was on patrol when he observed multiple subjects in a spot people commonly fish near a canal bank. Officer Watson contacted the group and noticed they had a bucket of fish but no fishing rods. The group admitted to catching all the fish with a cast net. Upon inspecting the fish, multiple freshwater game fish were located. It is illegal to harvest freshwater gamefish with a cast net. The subjects were issued a notice to appear for possession of freshwater gamefish and a device that is illegal for harvesting freshwater gamefish.
• Officer Watson and Captain Davis patrolled Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area during the opening weekend of dove season. While checking dove hunters, they came across a subject who was dove hunting and the officers found the subject was using an unplugged shotgun that was holding four shotshells. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation. 

Okeechobee County

• While on night patrol, Officer Madsen observed a truck displaying a light from the driver side window in a rural area where deer are commonly found. Officer Madsen conducted a traffic stop and during the inspection he located a light in combination with a rifle commonly used for taking deer or game. Officer Madsen issued the appropriate citation. 
• Officers Allen and Dziewiatkowski observed two subjects with hunting dogs who appeared to be hunting on the South Florida Water Management District right-of-way north of the S-84 structure. Hunting is prohibited on SFWMD rights-of-way. The officers contacted the subjects who indicated they trespassed on the S-84 structure to get to their location but insisted they were not technically hunting. Notices to appear in court were issued to both subjects for trespassing on the structure. The Highlands County States Attorney's Office will be consulted about filing the hunting charge. 

Palm Beach County

• Officers Riggs and Rea received a call regarding a vessel keeping undersized snook near Boynton Inlet. Officer Rae located the vessel as it was coming back to the boat ramp and Officer Riggs initiated a vessel stop to conduct a marine fisheries and boating safety inspection. Upon completion of the inspections, Officer Riggs located one undersized snook and one undersized mutton snapper on board as well as numerous boating safety equipment violations. The owner and operator of the vessel was issued three boating citations and the other occupant received two citations for possession of the undersized fish.   
• Officers Pullano, Defeo, and Rea were patrolling Boynton inlet and conducted resources inspections on four individuals who were found with five undersize mutton snappers. They were cited accordingly. 
• Officer Rea responded to a call of a subject fishing at the Boynton Inlet who loaded a large tarpon into the bed of his pickup truck and drove away. The caller was able to get a license plate number, which provided an address for Officer Rea. Officer Rea contacted the subject pulling into his driveway with a large tarpon in the bed of the truck. The subject was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County jail and charged accordingly.

RESCUES

Glades County

• Lieutenant Hayes and Officer Hudson responded to a call about boaters who were overdue. Two men had launched from Harney Pond and had broken down around Cochran’s Pass. The girlfriend of one of the subjects called the FWC to ask for help since the men no longer had cell phone capabilities due to dead batteries. The FWC officers launched an airboat around 11 p.m. and started to track toward the boaters’ last known position. While the officers had to deal with wind, waves and rain, they were able to locate and assist the boaters, who were in good spirits. 

CASES

Miami-Dade

• Officer Salazar was on patrol when he observed a diver down flag displayed from a buoy in the water just southeast of the Rickenbacker fishing pier. He watched two divers in the water and noticed each one had a speargun. Once the divers returned to land and were approached by Officer Salazar, they began to open the bag containing their catch to dispose of an undersized spiny lobster. Officer Salazar had them recover the spiny lobster they disposed of and examined the contents of the bag. They were in possession of one undersized spiny lobster and one live queen conch. Both subjects were cited for multiple resource violations. 

Collier County

• Officer Specialist Rubenstein responded to a vessel accident with injuries in Chokoloskee. Two vessels struck each other resulting in one person being ejected and another person who was transported to a local Naples hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Operators of both vessels were issued two warnings for: violation of U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rule: Safe Speed and Manatee Speed Zone Violation. 

Monroe County

• Officers Alex Piekenbrock and Paris Winter were on water patrol when they observed a green kayak in Kemp Channel near the Blimp Road Boat Ramp with no people on board. Two subjects wearing gloves and holding a net and tickle stick were in the water nearby. The officers approached the two subjects to conduct a marine resource inspection. When asked if they had any lobster, both subjects stated they had some. The subjects indicated both were catching lobster and putting them in a bag. One of the subjects stated he didn't know how to measure the lobster or how big they must be. An inspection revealed the bag contained 21 undersized lobster. Both subjects were issued mandatory notices to appear in court for the possession of undersized spiny lobster and the possession of over the bag limit spiny lobster and were issued a warning for not having their saltwater fishing license in possession. 

FWC Division of Law Enforcement Regions