FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: Feb. 23-29

February 23, 2024 through February 29, 2024

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

• During a focused night hunting detail in northern Holmes, Washington, and Jackson counties, officers made five separate night hunting cases where individuals shined numerous fields and were in possession of firearms. Appropriate citations were issued. Approximately 30 officers, including FWC aircraft, were used. 

Escambia County

• While conducting a resource inspection on an individual who was hunting, Lieutenant Lambert and Officer Hahr observed an antlered deer that did not meet antler point regulations. The subject’s brother admitted to shooting the deer and was charged with the violation.
• Officer McHenry was patrolling the Escambia River and while checking people fishing, he conducted a resource inspection on a vessel where a fish was being filleted. Upon further inspection and admission by the vessel operator it was determined the fish was a redfish not landed in whole condition. The operator of the vessel was cited for the violation. 
• Officer McHenry responded to a report about a vessel that appeared to be abandoned on the Escambia River. The officer located the vessel and the owner and learned the vessel was purchased to restore but was not operational. The owner was cited for a vessel at risk of becoming derelict and instructed to move the vessel off state waters. 

Gulf County

• Officer Lipford was on patrol targeting night hunters when he observed a vehicle displaying a light into an open field in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. He stopped the vehicle and found the driver and passenger were in possession of a loaded pneumatic air rifle. The appropriate action was taken.
• While Officers Butts and Gerber were checking hunters in the area, they encountered an individual hunting without a license. Officers discovered the subject was a convicted felon and found him in possession of firearms, drugs and paraphernalia. The subject admitted to shooting a deer days prior with a firearm. The individual was arrested for the violations. 
• While Officer Gerber was on patrol conducting resource inspections, he found one subject to be in possession of six undersized black drum. The appropriate law enforcement action was taken. 

Jefferson County

• Officer Specialist W. Brookes was on patrol in the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area. Officer Brookes found a vehicle parked in a secluded area. A pair of dirt covered gloves was on the hood of the vehicle, leading the officer ton believe the subject was digging for artifacts on the WMA. Officer Brookes contacted K-9 Officer J. Miller for assistance with locating the subject. K-9 Glory tracked a short distance and officers found a freshly dug artifact looting site. They also found a shovel and camo bag hidden next to the freshly dug hole. K-9 Glory began to track a short distance and Officer Brookes observed an individual hiding in a hole. The subject was in possession of a probe and other tools used for excavating artifacts. The subject was arrested and transported to the Jefferson County Jail.  

Washington County

• Officer H. Forehand was on patrol and saw a truck with four people traveling slowly with a spotlight illuminating several farm fields. He conducted a traffic stop and upon questioning, the driver admitted he had a rifle. A vehicle search revealed two loaded rifles and two loaded shotguns. He also found three spotlights in the vehicle. All four occupants were charged with night hunting. 

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Escambia County

• Officer Hahr responded to a request for assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office in searching for an adult subject who had not returned from a kayaking trip down a small creek. The creek traveled a remote area of a hunting club property that is not a navigable waterway. The subject's mother called for help when her son’s phone died after leaving a message that he was cold, wet, and stranded on the creek bank. A sheriff’s office investigator located the subject's position using a drone and provided Officer Hahr with the coordinates of his location.  Officer Hahr located the man and assisted him in walking to the closest logging road where he was reunited with his family. 

CASES

Suwannee County

• Officer Specialist Cline investigated an antlered deer that was potentially harvested two weeks after deer season had ended. After locating and interviewing the subject about harvesting the deer, it was determined the subject harvested the deer after the season had ended. Appropriate charges have been filed with the State’s Attorney's Office. 

COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING

Columbia County

• Senior Officers Johnston and Bryan attended the annual National Archery in the Schools Program archery tournament in Lake City.  There were several hundred students, parents, school faculty, and members of other public service agencies in attendance.  The officers had many positive interactions during the event and was a safe and enjoyable experience for all involved.

CASES

Marion County

• Officers were conducting surveillance on the Eureka Lock and Dam compound on Greenway State Park property when they observed multiple individuals entering a fenced area that is closed to the public. Several of the subjects ran towards the Ocklawaha River and jumped into the water while others fled north into the woods. Several units, including Marion County Sheriff’s Office, responded to assist. After subsequent interviews and further investigation, two of the individuals were located at a nearby residence. A total of four individuals were arrested.

St. Johns County

• Senior Officer Thomas follow up on tip about a social media account regarding numerous fisheries bag limit violations. Through interviews, documentation, and investigation, she uncovered a total of 14 violations over the course of eight months. They included four red drum bag limit violations, four major violations for red drum in excess of three, one red drum vessel limit violation, one seatrout bag limit violation, two disturbing manatee violations, one delaying the release of a prohibited shark violation, and one removing tarpon in excess of 40 inches from water violation. Charges were filed with the St. Johns County State Attorney’s Office.

Volusia County

• Officer Laroche responded to a report of someone killing red-bellied woodpeckers. After interviewing the reporting party, Officer Laroche identified and contacted a subject who admitted to shooting two red-bellied woodpeckers using a BB gun. During the investigation, two dead red-bellied woodpeckers were located. Red-bellied woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Officer Laroche completed the investigation and charges have been filed for the violation. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Brevard County

• Officer Johnson and Lieutenant Riley provided hunter safety training with the FWC hunter safety coordinator for 16 students. The officers covered the rules and regulations for hunting in Florida for individuals ranging from age 15 to 42. The students had relevant questions and enjoyed the class.

Orange County

• Officer Specialist Weber (public information officer) did a presentation about living with Florida wildlife for the Meridian Club of Orange County. This club consists of members living in Orange and Seminole counties who are primarily retired and enjoy hunting and fishing. This was Officer Weber’s third year as their guest speaker.
• Officer Specialist Weber (public information officer) participated in Access Charter School’s Emergency Responder Day with the FWC Wildlife Alert trailer. The children had a great time and asked Officer Weber many questions about wildlife.

CASES

Hillsborough County

• Officer Taylor Bothe was patrolling rural areas at night when she observed an individual shine a field with a spotlight. She initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and learned the driver did not have a driver’s license. After an inspection, Officer Bothe determined the subject was in possession of two rifles, which were accessible in the vehicle. The subject was charged with hunting from a roadway, hunting with gun and light, and driving without a valid driver’s license. 
• Officer Taylor Bothe was patrolling boat ramps when she saw a vessel returning to the ramp. Officer Bothe determined the subject had been fishing and conducted a resource inspection. She found the subject to be in possession of an undersized redfish. The appropriate law enforcement action was taken. 
• Officer Taylor Bothe was patrolling boat ramps when she spotted a vessel approaching the ramp. Officer Bothe determined the vessel was a charter vessel with paying customers on board. During the boating inspection, she determined the charter vessel was improperly registered. Officer Bothe initiated a resource inspection and located two undersized spotted sea trout. The appropriate law enforcement action was taken. 

Lee County

• Lieutenant Ruggiero responded to a report about a gopher tortoise violation in Lehigh Acres. He observed a land clearing company and two people at the location. One of them was on a skid steer mulching the property. The surrounding properties had signs indicating the presence of gopher tortoises in the area. Lieutenant Ruggiero found remnants of a gopher tortoise burrow that was partially collapsed and full of debris. Both subjects admitted they had not completely surveyed the property to ensure there were no tortoises there. The operator admitted he didn’t see the burrow until after he had driven the mulcher over it. The case is being submitted to the state attorney for a summons request and a disturbed site notification has been sent to the property owner. 

Manatee County

• Officer Christopher Davidson and Officer Matthew Johnston conducted a fisheries inspection on two individuals fishing from a dock on the Upper Manatee River east of the Fort Hamer Bridge.  They observed a bucket on the dock with two redfish that were under the legal slot to retain. The subject was written a citation for the size limit and a warning for the bag limit.

Pinellas County

• While on land patrol, Lieutenant Bibeau observed a fishing vessel return to a boat ramp. He contacted the operator of the vessel and conducted a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, Lieutenant Bibeau located two undersized triggerfish and one undersized and out-of-season greater amberjack. Lieutenant Bibeau issued the operator of the vessel appropriate citations. 

Sarasota County

• Officer Specialist Morrow was on land patrol when he spotted a vehicle parked at the Blackburn Point Bridge and someone fishing underneath the bridge. A resource inspection revealed the person had caught and kept an out-of-season, undersized snook. A notice to appear was issued to the individual for the violations.

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

Lee County

• Every winter, manatees migrate from the cooling waters of Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor up the Caloosahatchee River to stay warm near the outflow of the Tice Power Plant. The manatee protection zones in the Caloosahatchee River around the mouth of the Orange River change to idle speed/no wake from Nov. 15 through March 31 each year to protect manatees. Officers Christopher Hurst, Josh Kampmann, Cory Perez, and Josh Chambers patrolled these waters over a three-day period to educate boaters and enforce the idle speed zone. During the detail, the officers issued 18 citations and 37 warnings. All the boats they stopped were violating the manatee protection zone.

CASES

Broward County

• Officer Comartin was patrolling at the Area 1 Flow Equalization Basin (A-1 FEB) and observed three individuals in a freshwater canal using spearguns to spear fish. He conducted a fisheries inspection and discovered black bass and tilapia that appeared to have been speared. Comartin issued all three individuals notice to appear citations for spearfishing in freshwater and for the illegal take of gamefish by spearfishing.  All three Individuals were also issued citations for not having freshwater fishing licenses. 
• Officer Hammad was on patrol when she observed a utility task vehicle operating illegally on South Florida Water Management District lands. Hammad initiated a stop of the UTV and contacted the operator who refused to identify himself. He eventually provided Hammad with his license and the officer issued him a notice to appear citation for operating a motorized vehicle on state lands. The subject refused to sign it and was charged with resisting an FWC officer and booked into the Broward County jail. 
• Officers Walcott and Olivera were on patrol at Lighthouse Point Marina and observed a subject on the dock cleaning two undersized and out-of-season red grouper and one undersized yellowtail snapper. The officers issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violations.
• Officer Giani was on water patrol near Hillsboro Inlet and stopped a vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection. The inspection revealed one undersized king mackerel. The officer issued the suspect a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officers Walcott and Olivera were patrolling fishing piers and observed a subject wait for Officer Walcott to pass before throwing two dead snapper into the water. The officers issued the subject a notice to appear citation for interference with an FWC officer. 

Martin County

• Officer Landers and Officer McVay were conducting vessel safety and fisheries inspections near St. Lucie Inet. A subject returning to the boat ramp was found to have five undersized mutton snappers in a compartment on the vessel. The subject was cited accordingly. 

Palm Beach County

• While on patrol near STA 1 West Public Small Game Hunting Area, Officer Wences observed a vehicle parked along the west boundary road at an area where there are signs indicating entry is not allowed and fishing is prohibited.  He saw two people fishing inside the STA. He explained the rules and told the subjects they would need to leave.  Office Wences found they had been warned before for the same violations and he issued them notice to appear citations.

St. Lucie County

• While on foot patrol, Officer Castle observed two subjects fishing along the south side of Belcher Canal. During a fisheries inspection and license check, one of the subjects provided a false name. Officer Castle knew this based on a recent interaction the subject had with another FWC officer. Once confronted with this information, the subject provided his correct information. The subject had an active warrant and was arrested for the active warrant and charged with providing a false name to law enforcement, fishing with a revoked/suspended license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  
• While on land patrol, Officer Barghouty observed several people at a local boat ramp standing behind a truck. Upon contacting them, Officer Barghouty noticed a bucket with fish. An inspection determined several violations; however, the two subjects stated they did not catch the fish and the subject who did was down the trail.  Upon locating the third subject, he was found to be in possession of a speargun. The snook and sheepshead were measured for compliance and found to be undersized. The subject admitted to harvesting the fish with the speargun and was charged with possession of undersized snook, possession of undersized sheepshead, and harvest of snook by illegal method.  Warnings were issued for several license violations.  
• Officer Barghouty was on land patrol and conducted a resource and license inspection on a vessel at the boat ramp, which revealed eight undersized mangrove snappers had been harvested. A subject received a citation for the violation while a minor received a warning. The vessel was also found to have several registration violations, which were addressed accordingly.   
• Officer Barghouty observed a large group of people at Bear Point Sanctuary grilling near the shoreline.  The officer observed two cast nets and two buckets with oysters and an undersized spotted sea trout and mutton snapper. Citations were issued for the violations observed.  The individuals were also educated about the rules regarding harvest of shellfish from a closed area.  

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

Broward County

• Officer Walcott completed a derelict vessel investigation on state waters near Ft. Lauderdale and the vessel is clear to be removed. An updated notification will be sent out upon removal of the derelict vessel from state waters. 
• Officer Bovee completed a derelict vessel investigation on state waters at Dania Beach near Apple Slough and the vessel is clear to be removed. An updated notification will be sent out upon removal of the derelict vessel from state waters. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Broward County

• Lieutenant Laubenberger, Officer Matthews and Investigator Teems participated in the Annual Broward Police Multi Agency Honor Guard Academy. They assisted in instructing/training a total of 73 law enforcement officers from all over the country to include: Bethel PD (Alaska), Chattanooga PD (Tennessee), Calhoun County Sheriff (Alabama) and a host of local agencies. The Academy provided the officers with 32 total hours of training about fallen law enforcement officers full honors funeral. Each officer received a certificate of completion at the end of this successful Academy.

CASES

Collier County

• Officers Parlapiano and Yurewitch and Investigator Yanez responded to a report of an individual running an illegal charter out of Port of the Islands. The officers observed a vessel returning to a dock that matched the description. When they approached the vessel, the captain did not admit to being on a charter. However, when the occupants were questioned separately, one occupant admitted to paying the captain. The captain did not possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, an FWC charter fishing license and his vessel was not registered commercially. The captain of the vessel was issued a notice to appear for not registering his vessel appropriately and a citation for not having a charter fishing license.
• While off-duty, Officer Pruett heard gunshots coming from an orange grove near his residence. He contacted the land manager and he confirmed no one had permission to be on the property. The officer located the individuals, observed them moving wild hogs they had killed to their vehicle, and advised them they did not have permission to hunt on the property. Officers Reams and Polly, Lieutenant Kleis and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist. Four individuals were placed under arrest and booked into the Immokalee Jail Center for felony trespass with firearms.

Statewide Summary of Boating Related Law Enforcement Activities

For February 1 - 29, 2024