October 27 through November 2, 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.

View this as a web page.

View previous editions.

CASES

Bay County

• Officers N. Basford and Brady were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a vessel returning from fishing. The vessel was stopped to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, an undersized triggerfish was located. One of the occupants on the vessel stated it was their fish. A citation was issued for possession of undersized triggerfish.
• Officers N. Basford and Brady were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a vessel returning from fishing. The vessel was stopped to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, three red grouper were located. The season for red grouper is closed. Two of the occupants on the vessel stated the fish were theirs. A citation was issued to both individuals for possession of red grouper during closed season. 

Franklin County

• Officer Hartzog was conducting night patrol on East Bay and observed an individual throwing a cast net along the shoreline and harvesting shrimp. Officer Hartzog stopped the individual to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, Officer Hartzog observed the subject to be in possession of several pounds of wild shrimp harvested in a prohibited area. The individual was identified as a commercial angler who had multiple previous violations. The officer addressed the violation appropriately. 

Jackson County

• Officer J. Carr saw a truck with a light being shown out of the passenger side window illuminating a farm field. He conducted a traffic stop and found two subjects with three loaded rifles. Both subjects were charged with night hunting. 
• Officer H. Forehand was on patrol conducting resource and boating safety inspections at a local boat ramp. While checking the safety equipment of one vessel he found a five-foot alligator that had been shot hidden in a dry box. He also found a rifle in the dry box.  The subject was charged with illegal take of an alligator. 

CASES

Columbia County

• FWC Dispatch was contacted by Columbia County Sheriff's Office regarding a search and rescue. Senior Officer Yates responded to the area of Benton Tower and State Road 6 to search for an overdue hunter who hadn’t been heard from since earlier in the day. After a few hours of searching, Officer Yates located the missing man’s truck. Along with Sheriff’s Office deputies, Officer Yates located the missing hunter who was deceased from an unknown medical emergency. Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating as it was not a hunting accident. 
• Senior Officer Gill responded to assist the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a weapon used in an attempted murder. The subject turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office the following day and after interviewing him, Sheriff’s Office detectives determined an area to search for the weapon. Senior Officer Gill deployed K-9 Camo and searched a wooded area. K-9 Camo picked up the track where the suspect had run 14 hours earlier and found the weapon hidden in dense vegetation. The evidence was collected and processed by Columbia County Sheriff's Office detectives.  

Duval County

• Officer Specialist Barry and Officer Moran were on water patrol on the St. Johns River working the Georgia/Florida football game. Officer Moran observed a vessel violating the manatee zone downtown and initiated a vessel stop. Officer Moran conducted a vessel safety inspection and observed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Moran conducted a boating under the influence investigation and based on the totality of the circumstances, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator provided a breath sample that was over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. A citation was also issued for violation of the manatee zone. 

Hamilton County

• Lieutenant McDonald and Senior Officer Nichols were focusing on the illegal importation of deer carcasses or deer meat containing high-risk parts such as bone. A stop was conducted on a vehicle that had multiple traffic violations. During the stop, it was determined the subjects were in possession of an antlered deer harvested in Georgia. The officers located deer meat with high-risk parts such as bone as well as the head of the deer containing soft tissue.  Appropriate citations were issued for possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida.

Nassau County

• While on patrol at the Florida/Georgia state line, Officer Sweat observed a vehicle crossing the state line with an obscured tag, no brake lights, and no working signal lights. Officer Sweat conducted a traffic stop and learned the occupants had been deer hunting in Georgia. At the conclusion of the stop, Officer Sweat located deer meat with high-risk parts such as bone. Officer Sweat cited the operator for possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida.
• While on land patrol, Officer Sweat received a phone call about a possible antlerless deer taken out of season. Officer Sweat responded to the hunt camp in question and observed an antlerless deer. Upon investigation and interview, an individual admitted to taking the deer out of season with a crossbow. The individual was cited for taking antlerless deer out of season.
• Senior Officer Stuhr and his Field Training Officer Moran received a call from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Sergeant Kibler regarding a truck and trailer they conducted a traffic stop on. Sergeant Kibler stopped this vehicle for not stopping for inspection on Interstate 95. There were several coolers in the vehicle containing deer meat with high-risk parts such as bone and a deer head containing soft tissue. Officer Moran seized the bone-in deer meat and head and issued the subject a citation for possessing or importing deer, elk, moose or caribou carcasses or high-risk parts from anywhere outside of Florida. 

 Suwannee County

• Officer Boone was on patrol when he observed a vehicle struggling to maintain its lane. The officer was also stopped by a concerned citizen who had also witnessed the vehicle swerving and running off the road. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. In plain view, the officer observed several empty beer cans and could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. The officer then conducted a driving under the influence investigation. After the subject could not properly perform any of the standardized field sobriety tasks, she was taken into custody and transported to Suwannee County Jail. Once at the jail, she was issued a refusal to submit to a test of blood alcohol concentration. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Duval County

• Officer Specialist Barry participated in a Hallo-Wee outreach event at Adventure Landing where she handed out candy to approximately 30 kids dressed up in Halloween costumes. Jacksonville Beach Fire Rescue and Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue were also in attendance.  
• Officer Mobley, Officer Lentz, Officer Martin, Officer Austin, and Lieutenant Hein all participated in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) outreach and recruiting tent at the Sea and Sky Air Show at Jacksonville Beach.  The air show was attended by over a thousand citizens and provided a great opportunity to educate the public on the mission of the FWC.

CASES

Brevard County

• While on patrol at a wildlife management area, Lieutenant Lightsey observed two hunters exiting the water and loading up their vessel. Lieutenant Lightsey approached to conduct a resource inspection and found the subjects had not attached the CITES tag to the alligator. Alligators must be immediately tagged upon take. A notice to appear was issued for the violation.

Indian River County

• A check station operator was informed about a subject taking an undersized antlered deer in a wildlife management area during a special opportunity hunt. After a short time, the hunter in question approached the check station and explained he thought he had shot an antlerless deer but instead shot a 4-point antlered deer. Lieutenant Lightsey arrived on scene and addressed the violation. A citation was issued for the take of deer not meeting antler point regulations for that WMA.

Lake County

• Officer Cameron received information about a black bear being shot in a residential area. Officer Cameron and Investigator Sumpter identified the subject and gathered evidence that the subject had shot the bear from the road right of way. The subject was charged appropriately.

Osceola County

• Officers Ames and Osborn responded to an anonymous report of an individual housing juvenile alligators in their home. After arriving at the residence, five juvenile alligators were found in the individual’s bathtub. The violations were addressed accordingly, and the juvenile alligators were relocated to a nearby lake.

Putnam County

• Officer Lambert received information that a subject had illegally killed a deer inside a wildlife management area. During the investigation, he discovered a public social media post depicting a picture of an antlered deer with 9 points. After interviewing the subject, it was confirmed the subject shot the deer while hunting out of season. The subject was cited for hunting during closed season and given a written warning for failure to comply with harvest reporting requirements.

St. Johns County

• Senior Officer Harris and Officer Lemaster were on patrol at Guana Dam when they conducted a fisheries inspection on an individual who was fishing. Officer Harris inspected the contents of the subject's bucket and located an undersized red drum. Officer Harris issued the subject a citation for the violation.

Volusia County

• Officer Specialist Vanas received information about a subject killing a wild hog in a wildlife management area that was closed to hunting. The subject was located and was in possession of a recently killed wild hog. An investigation revealed the subject had hunted and killed the wild hog in the closed WMA. The subject was charged appropriately.
• Officer Stoker and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Seltzer were on patrol near Dunlawtin Bridge in Port Orange when Officer Stoker observed a subject on a spoil Island known to him from a prior trespass warning by Port Orange Police Department. Officer Stoker contacted the subject and determined he was knowingly trespassing on the island and violating the initial trespass warning. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Volusia County Jail.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Indian River County

• Officer Specialist Marroquin attended the Junior Blue Water Open in Sebastian. This outreach event is hosted by the city to introduce local youth to saltwater fishing. While at this event, Officer Marroquin answered questions from local stakeholders and mentored youth learning to fish and shared in the excitement of young anglers catching their first fish.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin was the FWC representative at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office National Night Out event. IRCSO hosts this event every year and gives the community a chance to interact with local law enforcement and public service members. Officer Marroquin displayed a patrol vessel at this event and was able to help educate the public about safe boating practices as well as answer questions regarding recreational hunting and fishing.

Lake County

• Officer Specialist Weber (public information officer) and Public Information Coordinator Kristen Turner participated in the Early Learning Coalition’s annual “Day in the Park.” Over 500 pre-k children were in attendance. They spoke with the children about Florida’s native wildlife and had the Wildlife Alert trailer on display. This is the eighth year FWC has participated in this event.

Volusia County

• Officer Specialist Weber (public information officer) presented material about living with alligators at the Ormond Beach Library to over 40 participants. Many of the attendees had recently moved to Florida. Officer Weber provided information about how to coexist with alligators and other Florida native wildlife.

Master Officer McDonough and Officer Specialist Demeter, along with their families, participated in a trunk or treat outreach event at U.S. Coast Guard Station Ponce Inlet. Approximately 150 children and their families visited the FWC display. The officers had a small alligator that was popular with participants and made for a memorable event for attendees.

CASES

Hardee County

• Investigator Carter, Officer Stephens and K-9 Officer Livingston were working on a deer decoy detail at night. A vehicle drove past Investigator Carter’s location and a short time later, a gunshot was heard in the direction the vehicle went. Investigator Carter located the source of the gunshot and discovered a vehicle with a subject standing on the side of the county road holding a rifle. Investigator Carter located an antlered deer in the bed of the vehicle and a second passenger inside. In addition to the subject’s rifle, three other firearms were in the vehicle. The subjects admitted to shooting the deer earlier in the evening and shooting at a second deer when they were stopped. The subjects stated they missed the second deer they attempted to kill. K-9 Mali was deployed to verify if a second deer was shot and did not locate one. Both subjects were transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with a total of nine charges related to night hunting. 

Lee County

• Officer Hardgrove was on water patrol when he observed two individuals wading in the water and carrying buckets. He could see the subjects bending over and picking something out of the water. He approached the two subjects and conducted a fisheries inspection and found they were in possession of about 70 oysters. The area where the subjects were taking the oysters was not an approved oyster harvesting area. One of the subjects admitted to having received a warning for harvesting oysters near the same area previously. That subject was issued a misdemeanor for harvesting oysters in a closed area. The other subject received a warning for the violation. 

Pasco County

• Officer David Moschiano and Officer Matthew Swindell were conducting resource inspections when they observed a truck illegally parked on a bridge. When talking to the three subjects, one was behaving suspiciously. Upon investigation, the subject was in possession of a loaded firearm and was on probation. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to jail for violating the terms of his probation.

CASES

Broward County

• Officer Constance was on beach patrol near Oakland Park Blvd. He observed a diver exit the ocean with dive gear and conducted a marine fisheries inspection. Pursuant to the inspection, the individual was issued a notice to appear for possession of over the bag limit of spiny lobster. 
• FWC units responded to a request for assistance from the Broward Sheriff's Office regarding a small single plane that had crashed into the Everglades west of Macks Fish Camp. A rescue helicopter from Miami-Dade was able to successfully take the person onboard. FWC units were on scene ready to assist but were not needed.

Glades County

• Officer Watson was on patrol when he stopped an airboat returning to the boat ramp with an alligator. The alligator was tagged with a CITES tag but the individual who was assigned the alligator trapping license/harvest permit and CITES tag was not on the vessel. The subject told the officer the harvest permit holder had a medical emergency and had to leave. Officer Watson was able to confirm the harvest permit holder did not have a medical emergency. The subject was hunting with another person’s harvest permit without the permit holder being present (alligator trapping license/harvest permits are nontransferable). One of the subjects also admitted the alligator was shot with a pistol. The subject was charged with hunting with another person’s alligator harvest permit without the harvest permit holder being present. Additional charges are pending and will be filed with the state attorney’s office.  

Hendry County

• Officers Pridgen, Watson, and Curbelo responded to a report from a local landowner who had captured photographs with a trail camera of people trespassing on his ranch. A few minutes later, the camera captured the subjects exiting the property while carrying a dead wild hog. The officers investigated and were able to identify the vehicle involved, and one of the subjects. The officers went to the subject’s house and located a butchered wild hog carcass. After interviewing the subject, he admitted to jumping the fence onto the private property. The second subject was also identified. The investigation is ongoing and charges will be filed with the state attorney’s office for trespass. 
• Officer Curbelo was patrolling Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area late at night when he observed a light being displayed from a vehicle in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of game. The officer stopped the vehicle and found two subjects with spotlights and a loaded rifle near the occupants. The vehicle operator’s driver's license had been expired for several years. The subjects were arrested and charged with driving with an expired driver’s license for more than six months, hunting at night, and using a light in a manner of disclosing the presence of game while in possession of a weapon used to take deer. 

Okeechobee County

• Officer Specialist Crosby responded to a call he received from the Okeechobee Police Chief that he had located subjects illegally camping on the Grassy Island portion of South Florida Water Management District property. Upon arrival, contact was made with the two subjects who were illegally camping on the property. After checking the subjects for wants or warrants, one subject was found to have an out-of -county warrant for their arrest and was transported to the county jail.  Both subjects were issued notices to appear for illegally camping and entering SFWMD property after hours. Additionally, trespass warnings were issued to both subjects for the Grassy Island property at the request of the SFWMD land steward.  

St. Lucie County

• Officer Bingham responded to a local boat ramp regarding a report of three individuals in possession of undersized mutton snapper. Arriving at the scene, the officer located three subjects at the fish cleaning station. As he approached the table, Officer Bingham observed multiple mutton snapper and three legal lane snapper. An inspection of the nine mutton snapper revealed all were under the 18-inch minimum harvest size. A citation was issued for the violation.  
• While on water patrol, Officers Barghouty and Irwin observed a vessel with two subjects on board pull up to a boat ramp.  An inspection of fishing licenses and harvested fish resulted in the discovery of six mutton snapper in a bucket.  After the fish were measured for compliance, they were found to be under the required 18-inch minimum harvest size.  Citations were issued to the subjects for the violation observed.  
• Officers Jenkins and Bingham were on vessel water patrol when they observed three subjects fishing from a vessel. When asked if they had any fish on board, they replied they had lane snapper and grunts. Further inspection of the fish revealed 12 mutton snapper. After they were measured for compliance, it was discovered all the fish were undersized. The three subjects were issued citations for the violations observed.

CASES

Miami-Dade County

• Captive Wildlife Investigator Landa and Officer Espinosa responded to a commercial facility regarding a report of an injury to a child from a kinkajou. They learned the child was feeding lettuce to a caged kinkajou, and the animal bit the child on the finger. The required public safety barrier was not present on the enclosure where the bite occurred. The owner of the facility was issued a citation for the violation of not having the barrier in place and five warnings for other violations related to this incident. 

FWC Division of Law Enforcement Regions