October 20 through October 26, 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

Baker County

• Officers Shope and Waychoff were on patrol in John M. Bethea State Forest when they located a large dump site containing construction material. Officer Shope investigated the violation and located witnesses and a subject. Felony dumping charges will be filed. 

Clay County

• Officer Nasworth and K-9 Officer Gill responded to an address in Keystone Heights regarding a deer complaint. Upon arrival, the officers discovered an antlerless deer that had been killed with a firearm. They determined the deer was shot on a neighboring property and contacted the property owner.  After speaking with the subject, he admitted to shooting the deer with a rifle during crossbow season. The subject was cited for illegal method and the unlawful take of an antlerless deer.  
• Officer Alvarez was on night patrol when he observed a vehicle traveling the construction area of the bypass between U.S. Highway 17 and Springbank Road. The vehicle pulled into an area near a Department of Transportation retention pond where deer are often seen. The vehicle maneuvered shining its lights in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. The occupants then fired several rounds. Officer Alvarez conducted a traffic stop and observed two loaded rifles in the front seat where the driver and passenger had immediate access to them. In the back seat was a crossbow and spotlight. Both subjects were issued citations. 
• Officer Heath was on night patrol when he observed a vehicle in the construction area of the bypass near U.S. Highway 17 using a light to illuminate the ditch and tree line of the roadway in a manner capable of disclosing deer. Officer Heath conducted a traffic stop and found an accessible and loaded shotgun in the vehicle. The subjects were issued citations for gun and light violations and trespassing on a posted construction site. 

Columbia County

• Officer Shope and Master Officer Burnsed were patrolling U.S. 441 at the Georgia border when they stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. While addressing the traffic violation it was determined the subject had deer meat containing high-risk parts such as bone. The subject deboned the meat and the bones were seized and incinerated. The officers educated the subject about rules that prohibit possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida and charged the subject with importing deer meat containing high-risk parts.  

Nassau County

• Officer Shope and Master Officer Burnsed were patrolling U.S. 301 at the Georgia border when they stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. While addressing the traffic violation it was determined the subject had deer meat containing high-risk parts such as bone. The subject deboned the meat and the bones were seized and incinerated. The officers educated the subject about rules that prohibit possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida and charged the subject with importing deer meat containing high-risk parts.  

Suwannee County

• Officer Cline followed up on information he received involving the illegal harvest of an antlerless deer on Suwanee River Water Management District property. During his investigation, he located a vehicle and subject matching the description of someone who shot an antlerless deer with a rifle  during archery season. The violation also occurred on Suwanee River Water Management District property. Officer Cline located the subject at his residence. In plain view of the vehicle, the officer noticed fresh blood and hair. A brief interview was conducted after which the subject admitted to the violations. Charges were issued for the violation, including taking antlerless deer by illegal method, taking wildlife from a road right of way, and taking deer on Suwanee River Water Management District property.    

Taylor County

• Officer Humphrey was called upon by Officer Glover of Jefferson County to assist in an interview of a subject regarding a violation that occurred at a wildlife management area. Officer Glover followed a blood trail from a deer that had been killed to a location where there was a treestand and corn. After a brief interview, the subject admitted to placing the bait in the WMA. Charges were filed for the violation along with an infraction for failure to log and report the harvest. The subject was also issued warnings for the use of a crossbow and taking of a spotted fawn.  

Union County

• Officers Shope and Waychoff investigated a stolen game camera. The victim provided a picture from the camera taken of the suspect in the cab of his pickup. The officers identified and interviewed the subject, who admitted to trespassing on the property but denied stealing the camera. Charges will be filed with the State’s Attorney's Office. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Baker County

• Senior Officer Johnston was invited to speak to criminology students at the Baker County High School. Officer Johnston presented information to about 50 students regarding the roles and responsibilities of a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement officer. Officer Johnston answered several questions from the students and had a positive interaction with students and school faculty.

CASES

Brevard County

• Officer Snyder responded to a call of two individuals keeping illegal fish at Veterans Memorial Park. Officer Snyder located the individuals and found three undersized redfish and five undersized trout in two separate coolers. The individuals were cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer Rivard were on patrol when they observed signs along the roadway advertising saltwater products for sale. The officers contacted a subject on the side of the road who was selling shrimp. A resource inspection revealed he did not have the proper licensing to sell saltwater products to the public. The induvial was cited accordingly.
• While on patrol at Freddie Patrick Park Boat Ramp, Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Osborn conducted a resource inspection on an incoming vessel. One occupant was found to be in possession of a speared cobia that was under the minimum size limit. The violation was addressed accordingly. During a separate interaction the officers conducted a resource inspection on another incoming vessel. Two occupants of the vessel were found to be in possession of five undersized mutton snapper and that violation was addressed accordingly. Finally, the officers conducted a resource inspection on a third incoming vessel. Two occupants of the vessel were found to be in possession of five undersized mutton snapper. That violation was also addressed accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Balgo received information that an individual illegally harvested a wild turkey at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Officer Balgo located the individual and harvested wild turkey. In addition, the individual also failed to log and report the harvested wild turkey. The individual was cited accordingly.
• While on patrol, Officer Specialist Rasey observed two subjects fishing when one of them caught a small fish and put it in a bucket. A resource inspection later revealed several undersized gray snapper. When asked, both individuals advised they were unaware of what kind of fish they had, fishing regulations in general, and that they needed a saltwater license to take saltwater species. Citations were issued to both subjects. The officer provided the subjects with a fishing regulation booklet.

Indian River County

• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer Rivard were on water patrol when they observed a vessel running on full plane in a manatee zone. A vessel stop was conducted and the officers immediately observed numerous empty alcohol containers onboard. Further observations of the operator led the officers to believe he was impaired. Officer Rivard conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and the vessel operator performed poorly. Upon arrest, the vessel operator provided a breath sample that was almost twice the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.

Orange County

• Officer Specialist Parrish was on patrol near the St. Johns River on the opening day of the muzzleloading gun season when he observed a cooler concealed in the woods. The cooler contained deer meat. Officer Parrish watched the cooler until an airboat came up and parked next to it. He observed a subject place the cooler in the airboat. Officer Parrish conducted a resource inspection, and the subject said the meat was from an antlerless deer that was harvested by his daughter. The subject could not provide sex evidence or proper identifying information attached and was cited accordingly.

Osceola County

• Officers Armstrong and Nall were on patrol in the Poinciana area when they observed a car operating at a slow speed. They then observed an artificial light emitting from the car, illuminating a wood line where deer and game are commonly seen. A traffic stop was conducted, which revealed a spotlight, loaded .22 caliber rifle and crossbow within reach of both occupants. The driver, a convicted felon, was cited for numerous violations including convicted felon in possession of a firearm and was taken to jail. The passenger was cited accordingly.
• Officers Armstrong and Nall were notified of two subjects on electric bikes, dressed in camo with archery equipment trespassing in the Poinciana area of Polk County. The officers located the vehicle and followed the tracks to the area where the two were said to have entered. The officers located two electric bikes hidden in the brush. They followed the foot tracks to the area where the two subjects dressed in camo were hunting with archery equipment. They were escorted out and cited accordingly.

Putnam County

• Officers Galvan, Carroll, and Norris conducted resource inspections related to recreational shrimping at multiple locations throughout the county. During the inspections, multiple violations of harvesting gamefish by illegal method were observed. Five gamefish were found to be harvested unlawfully and three individuals were cited for taking gamefish by illegal method.

St. Johns County

• While conducting fisheries inspections at Vilano Beach Boat Ramp, Senior Officer Thomas inspected a returning vessel with two subjects on board. Upon inspection, she located five undersized spotted seatrout. The owner and operator claimed possession of all undersized fish. Officer Thomas issued the subject one misdemeanor citation for possession of an undersized spotted seatrout.
• While conducting fisheries inspections at Green Road Boat Ramp, Senior Officer Thomas inspected a returning vessel with three subjects on board. Upon inspection, she located one oversized red drum. The owner and operator claimed possession of the red drum. Officer Thomas issued the subject one misdemeanor citation for possession of an oversized red drum.
• Officer Lemaster conducted a fisheries inspection at the Guana Dam. During the inspection, Officer Lemaster discovered an oversized red drum. The subject was issued a citation accordingly. 
• Officer Lemaster conducted a fisheries inspection at the Guana Dam. During the inspection, two subjects were observed cast netting within a prohibited area. Officer Lemaster made contact, and upon inspection of their catch, he discovered various fish and shrimp. The subject was issued a citation for cast netting from the dam structure, which is prohibited.

Volusia County

• Officer Specialist Vanas received information about a subject harvesting an antlered deer during archery season that didn’t meet the minimum antler point regulations. After locating the individual in question, the subject admitted to killing a deer not meeting minimum antler point regulations and was still in possession of the head and antlers. Officer Vanas measured the antlers and found they were under the required length for the deer management unit the deer was taken in. The subject was charged appropriately.
• Officer Stoker was on water patrol around the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach when he observed a subject on a vessel known to him from prior arrests. The subject had two active arrest warrants for failure to appear on one count of undersized snook and one count of unregistered vessel. Officer Stoker contacted the subject and confirmed both arrest warrants. The subject was transported to the Volusia County Jail.

CASES

Broward County

• Officer Olivera responded to a complaint of two subjects fishing and keeping illegal peacock bass from the Alligator Alley section of I-75. Officer Olivera arrived on scene and observed two subjects with a bucket in their vehicle filled with fish. During a resource inspection, Officer Olivera discovered they were in possession of 37 peacock bass, which is over the bag limit of two peacock bass per person per day. The subjects were issued citations requiring them to appear in court.

Martin County

• Officer Koger was on state water patrol when he responded to a call regarding a navigational hazard where a channel marker had been broken. Officer Stiltner responded to assist in removing the sign from the water. The officers were able to remove the hazard at Jimmy Graham Boat Ramp. While at the boat ramp, the officers initiated a safety and fisheries inspection on a nearby vessel. The officers quickly noticed signs of impairment from the operator. Officer Koger conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator provided breath samples that were over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The operator was charged with BUI above .08, received a citation for no sound producing device, and warnings for no fishing license and no fire extinguisher.
• Officer Whitty was on marked vessel patrol in the Jupiter Narrows when she observed a vessel violating a posted slow speed zone. Officer Whitty initiated a vessel stop and once contact was made, she detected numerous indicators of impairment. After performing poorly on seated standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for suspicion of boating under the influence. The operator was transported to the Martin County Jail, Main Detention Center, and was charged with operating a vessel while normal faculties impaired and issued a citation for violation of the manatee zone.
• Officer Koger was on marked vessel patrol on the intracoastal waterway in Hobe Sound when he observed a vessel coming in from fishing. Officer Koger initiated a vessel stop to conduct a resource inspection. 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 boating under the influence. The operator provided breath samples over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The operator was transported to the Martin County Jail, Main Detention Center and charged with BUI. The operation was issued a citation for no sound producing device and two warnings for no fire extinguisher and no valid saltwater fishing license. 

Okeechobee County

• Lieutenant Davis and Officers Dziewiatkowski, Padgett and Crosby received a tip about a baited site in the No Name Slough at the Kissimmee River Public Use Area. After an investigation, Officers Dziewiatkowski and Padgett were able to locate the subject hunting over bait. Along with several other violations, the subject was found to have erected an illegal campsite on South Florida Water Management District property. The subject was issued the appropriate resource citations. 
• Officer Dziewiatkowski made a traffic stop on a vehicle with no license plate displayed. Upon inspection, the vehicle identification number was associated with a stolen vehicle. In addition, the operator was identified with a record of being a habitual traffic offender. The subject was placed under arrest and cited appropriately. 

Palm Beach County

• Officers Stiltner and Schroer responded to a missing diver call offshore of the Jupiter Inlet. When the officers arrived on scene, Palm Beach County Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard were on scene as well. USCG boarded the vessel with the operator who called about the missing diver. Palm Beach Sheriff Office deputies confirmed the operator had a warrant out of Martin County. FWC Officer Landers responded with a Martin County Marine Unit and located the missing diver alive, a couple miles north of where he went missing. During the inventory search of the vessel, joint agency officers found multiple lobster on board. The operator was charged with possession of undersized spiny lobster and wrung tails. 
• Officer Stiltner and Officer Rea were conducting federal joint enforcement agreement water patrol in Palm Beach County and initiated a vessel stop to conduct a fisheries inspection in the Lake Worth Inlet. Upon inspection, Officer Rea found that the subject was in possession of an undersized red grouper. Officer Stiltner and Officer Rea issued the subject a notice to appear in court citation for undersize red grouper. 

St. Lucie County

• While on late night patrol, Officer Castle observed a slow rolling truck spotlighting a fence line along a major highway. The truck appeared to be unfazed by other vehicles going by. Officer Castle initiated a traffic stop and contacted a driver and passenger. Further investigation revealed four more subjects in the rear of the vehicle. Several air rifles, a thermal scope, two flashlights and a hunting knife were observed. Three adults were charged with night hunting and attempting to take game from a state maintained right of way.

CASES

Miami-Dade County

• Captive Wildlife Investigator Fernandez investigated illegal migratory bird trapping in a rural area of the county. The Investigator observed a small bird trap with a bait bird hanging in the trees. Upon closer inspection of the area, he noticed more traps and decided to set up surveillance. After a few hours of watching the area, a subject appeared collecting the traps. The investigator contacted the subject to address the violations. The subject admitted to having more birds at the residence. The subject allowed the Investigator to inspect the property and more birds and traps were located. A total of 20 birds and 5 traps were seized. The subject was issued a notice to appear.

Collier County

• Officer Tajahs Jackson conducted a fisheries inspection on the north side of the Jolly Bridge and observed one subject under a tree with fishing equipment and a bucket. In the bucket were 12 undersized lane snapper. The subject was cited and issued a notice to appear. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Miami-Dade County

• Officer Ronald Washington and Officer George Reynaud participated in an outreach event called “Vamos a Pescar” with the FWC Division of Freshwater Fisheries. This free “Let’s go fishing” event is designed to create a fun fishing experience for families in the community and teach participants about conservation, fishing practices and fishing gear to create confident and responsible anglers.

Collier County

• Officer Tajahs Jackson conducted outreach at a community expo in Naples featuring Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County Fire Services and local businesses. The event had over 200 adults and children in attendance. Officer Jackson had an FWC all-terrain vehicle and live alligator on display and answered questions about fish and wildlife conservation.

FWC Division of Law Enforcement Regions