FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: May 31-June 6

May 31, 2024 through June 6, 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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View previous editions.

CASES

Escambia County

• Officer Hahr responded to an anonymous complaint regarding an alligator that was shot near Perdido Bay. The officer investigated and determined a homeowner in the area was unhappy with the presence of alligators around his dock and used a 22-magnum rifle to shoot an approximately five-foot alligator and retrieve it from the water. He was charged with taking alligators without a permit/license.
• Officer Lugg and Waters and Lieutenant Corbin conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel returning from offshore. The operator was found to possess over the bag limit of vermillion snapper. The operator was cited for the violations.  
• Officers Lugg and Waters and Lieutenant Corbin received a Wildlife Alert tip about an individual harvesting an oversized red drum at Bob Sikes Fishing Pier. Upon arriving, they located the individual who possessed a red drum that was 36 inches long. Additionally, the subject did not have a valid fishing license. The individual was cited accordingly.  
• Officer Waters responded to a call near Palafox Pier regarding a sinking pontoon boat that was a livery vessel. Upon conducting a livery inspection, the owner of the vessel was found to be operating a livery business without a FWC livery permit or boating safety signage. Other livery violations were found. The owner was cited accordingly.  
• Lieutenant Corbin was conducting boating safety and resource inspections at the 17^th Ave. boat ramp. A vessel with fishing gear returned to the boat ramp without proper navigational lights. A resource inspection revealed an oversized red drum was located in a cooler on the vessel. The operator of the vessel claimed responsibility for harvesting the red drum. Another subject on the vessel did not have a valid saltwater fishing license. Both subjects were cited accordingly.

Jackson County

• Officer T. Scott received a complaint about someone snorkeling in Merritt’s Mill Pond Fish Management Area without a dive flag. When he arrived on scene, Officer Scott saw the person snorkeling with a spear gun attempting to shoot fish. Officer Scott filed one count of possession of a spear gun upon freshwaters of the state. 
• Officer H. Forehand was on vessel patrol on Merritt’s Mill Pond when he saw a person snorkeling with a spear gun attempting to shoot fish. As Officer Forehand approached and the person dropped the spear gun. The person was charged with attempting to take freshwater fish by an illegal method. 

Franklin County

• Officer Hartzog was conducting a night water patrol on East Bay and observed an individual throwing a cast net along the shoreline. Officer Hartzog stopped the individual to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, Officer Hartzog observed the subject possessed wild shrimp harvested in a prohibited area and freshwater gamefish harvested using an illegal method. The officer cited the violations accordingly.

Washington County

• Lieutenant W. Walsingham, Investigator S. Williams, Officers R. Hicks, and J. Touchton responded to a report of a young person who fell into a sink hole and was unable to get out. FWC officers assisted Chipley Fire Department, Washington County EMS, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office to lower a rope 90 feet down and remove the individual from the sink hole. He was checked by EMS and found to be uninjured. He was educated about avoiding areas posted as closed and issued a trespass warning for the park.  

OFFSHORE PATROL

• While on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico south of Escambia County, Officers Hartzog, Cushing, and T. Nelson observed a recreational fishing vessel with several individuals fishing. The officers conducted a resource and boating safety inspection. Upon inspection of a compartment on board, the subjects were observed to possess several out-of-season red snapper. Upon further inspection, the officers located multiple live undersized red snappers in the baitwell being used as bait. The officers cited the violations accordingly.
• While on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico south of Escambia County, Officers Hartzog, Cushing, Land, T. Nelson, and Lieutenant Smith observed a commercial charter fishing vessel with several individuals fishing. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection and discovered multiple live undersized vermillion snappers in the baitwell being used as bait. The officer cited the violations appropriately. 
• While on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico south of Escambia County, Officers Hartzog, T. Nelson, and Lieutenant Smith observed a recreational fishing vessel with multiple individuals in the water spear fishing. The officers saw one of the individual’s surface and place a speared red snapper on board the vessel. The officer initiated a vessel stop to conduct a resource inspection. Upon inspection of a compartment on board, the subjects were observed to be in possession of out-of-season red snapper. The officer cited the violations appropriately.
• While on patrol in Pensacola Pass, Officers Hartzog, T. Nelson, and Lieutenant Smith observed a recreational fishing vessel with multiple individuals on board returning from fishing. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. Upon inspection of a compartment on board, the subjects were observed to be in possession of an undersized greater amberjack. The officer cited the violation appropriately.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Walton County

• Lieutenant W. Walsingham and Officers R. Hicks and J. Touchton responded to subjects stranded in a paddleboat on the Choctawhatchee River below Morrison Springs. Two subjects had taken the vessel downstream and became overtaken by the current and unable to return. FWC officers and Walton County Sheriff’s Office worked together to locate the vessel and safely return the individuals to the ramp.  

CASES

Columbia County

• Senior Officers Yates and Davenport were on patrol in the Ichetucknee Springs State Park when an internal park camera system alerted them of a vehicle entering the park with a Florida tag on the vehicle that was expired for more than 6 months. Once the vehicle was parked, the officers conducted a traffic stop and found the driver also was operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license and registration sticker on the vehicle had been altered. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken. 
• Senior Officers Yates and Davenport responded to information provided by Master Officer Joey Burnsed about two subjects trespassing in Kirby Pit. Upon arriving at Kirby Pit, Yates deployed K-9 Harlow where the subjects were last seen. K-9 Harlow tracked the subjects approximately 1,500 yards from where they were found fishing. Yates located a third subject operating an ATV on Kirby Pit property. The appropriate trespassing paperwork was issued to all three subjects and they were escorted off the property. 

Hamilton County

• Officer Boone responded to a social media post about the illegal possession of an alligator. The officer located the individuals from the post and conducted an interview. During the interview, the subject admitted to catching the alligator as it crossed a road. Charges will be filed with the State’s Attorney's Office for illegally possessing an alligator. 

CASES

Lake County

• Officer Stamp, Officer Specialist Weber, and Lieutenant Rice were conducting water patrol around Lake Dora when they observed a vessel improperly displaying its registration numbers, so they conducted a vessel stop to address the violation. Officer Stamp made contact with the operator and explained the violation and also conducted a boating safety inspection. While attempting to identify the subject, it was learned the subject provided the officers with a false name due to having numerous warrants. The subject was transported to the Lake County Jail. The subject was charged with providing a false name to law enforcement and booked on outstanding warrants.

Marion County

• Officers Constance and Altman received information about subject illegally possessing an alligator. During their investigation, they obtained photographic evidence of illegal possession of an alligator on the waters of a local river. While checking the area they located a vessel matching the description. After an interview, the subject admitted to the offense and was cited appropriately.

Orange County

• Officer Wild coordinated and implemented a special operation with a focus on public safety, boating safety, traffic safety and resource violations taking place in and around Wekiwa Springs State Park and on the Wekiva River. FWC officers and  investigators from Seminole, Orange, Volusia, Brevard, Lake and Marion counties participated in the detail. FWC K-9 officers and drone teams and Seminole and Orange County deputies also worked the detail. Officers, investigators, and deputies worked together in teams throughout the state park and on the water proactively conducting patrols and addressing violations. Throughout the detail, officers from the FWC and partner agencies issued 57 resource citations, 17 uniform boating citations, 10 uniform traffic citations, 49 written warnings, and made one physical arrest. Some of the violations addressed were evasion of park fees, nondesignated entry, consuming alcohol in the state park, prohibited activities in nondesignated areas, failure to comply with park staff, boating safety rules and state park traffic rules.

Seminole County

• Officer Wild and Lieutenant Griffis were patrolling the St. Johns River when they observed an individual operating a vessel on state waters without registration numbers affixed to the vessel as required by law. The officers conducted a vessel safety and a registration inspection. The vessel operator could not produce the proper bill of sale on board the vessel for proof of purchase as required by law. The violations were addressed appropriately.
• Officers Wild and Naules were patrolling the St. Johns River and observed a vessel violate the posted slow speed zone. They  initiated a vessel stop for a safety and registration inspection that revealed the vessel had an insufficient number of personal flotation devices, no type 4 throwable device, and the operator failed to register the vessel within 30 days of purchase. The boating safety and registration violations were addressed accordingly.

St. Johns  and Flagler Counties

• Senior Officer Thomas received a tip about several subjects inside Guana Dam State Park who were shrimping. During April and May, the harvest of shrimp is closed in St. Johns County. The officer located two subjects cast netting and harvesting shrimp on Lake Ponte Vedra inside Guana Dam State Park. Both subjects also had harvested mullet and croaker by use of cast net. On Lake Ponte Vedra, it is illegal to harvest fin fish by use of cast net. Officer Thomas issued both subjects a citation for harvesting shrimp during the closed season and a citation for use of cast net to harvest fin fish on Lake Ponte Vedra. One subject also possessed an undersized Spanish mackerel and was charged accordingly. 

Volusia County

• Captive Wildlife Investigator McDaniel responded to a report about a wildlife rehabilitator keeping animals in unsanitary conditions. A regulatory inspection was completed and multiple violations were noted. The rehabilitator of native wildlife was issued two citations and told to make the necessary corrections. She is subject to a reinspection to ensure the violations have been corrected.
• Officer Vanas was on patrol in Ponce Inlet at the North Jetty when he observed four individuals fishing. He heard them say they had already reached their limit of bluefish and then witnessed them catch more bluefish, cut them up, and use them for bait. Officer Vanas conducted a resource inspection and found the subjects to be over the limit of bluefish and were in violation by not keeping the fish in whole condition. Officer Vanas addressed the violations appropriately.
• Officer Stoker was on water patrol around Edgewater in response to reports of subjects trespassing on interior islands managed by the Florida Inland Navigational District. He observed a familiar vessel and commercial anglers on the Halifax River and conducted a stop to perform a resource inspection. During the inspection, it was determined the subject was in possession of a red drum measuring 40 inches. The slot limit for red drum in this area of the state is 18-27 inches. Additionally, there is a closure for red drum in Volusia County south of the State Road 44 bridge. The subject admitted he was aware of the slot limit and he intended to sell the fish once back at the boat ramp. Both violations were addressed with the repeat offender.
• While on patrol, Officer Velez conducted a resource inspection on a subject fishing from the shore of the Halifax River. During the inspection it was determined the subject failed to produce a valid saltwater fishing license. Additionally, a records check revealed the subject to have an active arrest warrant out of Volusia County. Officer Demeter arrived on scene to assist Office Velez. The subject was arrested and transported to the Volusia County Jail. The saltwater fishing license violation was also addressed.
• While on patrol, Officer Velez observed six subjects along the shoreline of Turnbill Bay Road and the railroad bridge consuming oysters that had been harvested at that location, which is closed to harvesting oysters. The violation was addressed with the subject responsible for harvesting the oysters. Additionally, all subjects were warned for trespassing along the railway.
• Officer Velez responded to a report about a subject who had harvested two goliath grouper around New Smyrna Beach. The reporting party provided a tag number of the subject and Officers Velez and Rasey were able to identify the subject’s vehicle and residence. A field interview revealed the subject had been fishing and upon inspection, two juvenile goliath grouper were in the suspect’s possession. The violations were appropriately addressed.
• Senior Officer Bertolami was contacted by Daytona Police Department regarding a subject underway in a sailboat around Halifax Harbor who was wanted by Holly Hill Police Department for burglary and battery charges. Officer Bertolami alerted other squad mates and provided a detailed description of the subject and vessel. Officer Stoker located the subject and took him into custody. The subject was turned over to Holly Hill Police Department.
• Officers Rasey and Velez were on water patrol near Lighthouse Point when they observed a pontoon vessel displaying an expired registration. The officers conducted a vessel stop to address the violation. During the stop it was determined the vessel was a rental from a local livery. The vessel operator could not provide a rental agreement. Officer Rasey followed up with the livery operation and determined the owner was operating the business without a livery permit and required insurance. Additionally, the rental vessel in question was found to have an expired registration. The violations were addressed with the business owner.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Brevard County

• Officer Specialist Hallsten and Officer Pecko taught a hunter safety education course at the American Police Hall of Fame. There were 15 students in attendance and they received information about hunter safety, rules and regulations and wildlife conservation.

CASES

Lee County

• Officer Hardgrove stopped two subjects returning from fishing to conduct a fisheries inspection. Officer Hardgrove discovered the subjects had two cobia under the 36-inch minimum size limit. The subjects were issued citations for the violations. 
• Officer Lejarzar and Lieutenant Ruggiero organized a challenge coin ceremony to recognize a young man who put himself between an assailant and a victim during a domestic violence incident that occurred several weeks ago at a local boat ramp. The young man’s selfless act helped protect the victim until officers arrived to secure the scene and render aid. The investigation was turned over to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Manatee County

• Officer Specialist Miller was on land patrol around South Skyway rest area when he saw an individual gathering marine life and placing them in a bucket. When the individuals came ashore, Officer Specialist Miller performed a resource inspection and found the individual had kept 29 stone crabs in whole condition. The individuals are required to appear in Manatee County Court for the violation.
• Officer Specialist Reece Alvis was working individual fishing quota (IFQ) vessels returning to Manatee County. The commercial reef fish vessel had several thousand pounds of reef fish on board. When the vessel landed at the commercial facility it did not have IFQ allocation for the reef fish. According to the business owner, the IFQ was in another shareholder account. This is a violation of state and federal rules pertaining to commercial harvest of reef fish. Additionally, the vessel was not registered in the state for several years, even though it was documented through the U.S. Coast Guard. State citations were issued for the registration violation and a federal citation was issued for the IFQ. 

Pasco County

• Officers Moschiano and Pulaski conducted a resource inspection on a vessel with fishing rods and diving equipment returning from offshore. Officers found the subjects were in possession of two hogfish and one mangrove snapper. Officers also found a black trash bag containing three undersized, out-of-season gag grouper, two undersized red grouper, and two undersized hogfish in the hull of the vessel. The individuals were cited accordingly.   

Pinellas County

• Officer Specialists Tom Godfrey and Chris Litherland were on midrange Joint Enforcement Patrol working federal waters off the Clearwater area. They conducted a stop on a vessel with fishing rods. The vessel captain was in possession of an undersized gray trigger fish. Additionally, gray trigger fish is currently closed in state/federal waters. A boating safety inspection was conducted after the fisheries inspection. The vessel had expired registration. Misdemeanors, infractions, and warnings were issued for the violations.

CASES

Broward County

• Captive Wildlife Investigator Wright responded to a report about a subject possessing a juvenile raccoon without a license. The subject said they thought the raccoon was orphaned and they attempted to rehabilitate it. They indicated they released it once they realized possessing one without a license was illegal. One citation was issued for the illegal rehabilitation of native wildlife and five warnings were issued for related violations.
• Captive Wildlife Investigator Wright responded to a report regarding the possession of an opossum without a license.  The individual said she found it in her yard after floods and attempted to rehabilitate it. She indicated she kept the opossum for several months before it passed away. One citation was issued for the illegal rehabilitation of native wildlife and three warnings were issued for related violations. 
• Officer Willis stopped a vessel with fishing rods near Port Everglades and the Intracoastal Waterway to conduct a fisheries inspection. His inspection revealed 68 skinless snapper, grouper, and dolphin fish fillets onboard the vessel. Officer Willis issued the subject several federal citations for the violations. 
• Officer Hammad contacted a group of subjects at the A-1 FEB to conduct a fisheries inspection. Her inspection revealed 10 largemouth bass in a cooler and one of the subjects said he harvested the fish. Officer Hammad measured the bass and determined five of the 10 bass were over 16 inches in length. The officer issued the subject notice to appear citations for over the bag possession of largemouth bass and possession of more than one largemouth bass over 16 inches. 
• Officers Walcott and McCollin-Davis stopped a vessel with fishing equipment coming into the Port Everglades Inlet to conduct a fisheries inspection. Their inspection revealed four undersized dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) onboard the vessel. The officers issued the vessel owner a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officer Willis conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel near Port Everglades. The inspection revealed five undersized yellowtail snapper inside of a cooler. The four subjects onboard the vessel admitted to fishing but would not admit to harvesting the undersized fish. Officer Willis issued all the subjects notice to appear citations for possession of undersized yellowtail snapper and fishing without a valid saltwater fishing license. 
• Officers Rigali and Comartin contacted a subject to conduct a resource inspection at Weasel Trail Boat Ramp. During the inspection, the subject provided the officers with a suspended driver’s license as identification. The officers informed the subject of his suspended license and warned the subject against driving. About an hour later, Officers Rigali and Comartin observed the subject driving a vehicle through the entrance of STA 3/4 and initiated a vehicle stop. The subject was arrested on driving while license suspended charges as a habitual traffic offender with four prior convictions for driving while license is suspended. 
• Officer Bouras observed a dirt bike being operated near Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Officer Bouras stopped the bike to investigate the violation and issued the operator a notice to appear citation for operating an unauthorized motorized vehicle on South Florida Water Management District land. 

Glades County

• Officer Ciprich conducted a resource inspection on three individuals along the rim canal of Lake Okeechobee near Moore Haven who were fishing with a cast net. Upon inspection, the subjects were found to be in possession of several freshwater gamefish (largemouth bass). It is illegal to harvest freshwater gamefish with a cast net. All three subjects were issued a notice to appear for the violation. 

Palm Beach County

• Officers Eustice and Morgan stopped the vessel to conduct a resource check on a vessel returning from a fishing trip. The officers discovered an undersized dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) on board. The subject was cited accordingly. 
• Officers Morgan, Riggs, and Defeo stopped a vessel returning from a fishing trip for a fisheries inspection. The inspection revealed an undersized amberjack and two undersized gray triggerfish. The subject was cited accordingly.

CASES 

Miami-Dade County

• Captive Wildlife Investigator Fernandez responded to a report of a lemur bite to a toddler. Upon investigation, he learned the owners had it on a leash in public when it bit the child, causing a laceration to the hand. The owners stated they purchased the lemur several years prior, and the individual they purchased it from applied for a license on their behalf. A record search revealed the owners did not have a license for the lemur. Two citations were issued for the illegal possession and four warnings were issued for the bite and related violations. Investigator Fernandez provided information about the application process, and they have applied for the required license.
• Captive Wildlife Investigator Fernandez responded to information regarding the unlawful sale of a lemur. Further investigation revealed the seller was licensed during the time of the sale several years prior but sold it to an unlicensed individual. Furthermore, the seller’s license had recently expired to possess and sell the lemurs.  One citation was issued for the expired license, and two warnings were issued for the unlawful sale and not having records of the sale.  Investigator Fernandez provided information about the application process, and they have applied for the required license. 
• Officers Sample, Presser, and Gutierrez discovered an abandoned stone crab trap line containing 25 stone crab traps and one lobster trap. After identifying the owner, they issued two citations for out-of-season traps and missing buoys.
• Officer Daniel A. Carvajal and Officer Jordan Griffin responded to a call regarding saltwater species at Snapper Creek Road and proceeded on foot patrol. They observed four individuals fishing along Snapper Creek Road and conducted a fisheries inspection that revealed one individual possessed an out-of-season, undersized snook not in whole condition. The individuals were cited accordingly
• While conducting a resource inspection at the People's Pier on the Deering Estate, Officer Whale found a subject in possession of a dead bonefish. The subject confirmed he was the one who caught and kept the fish. The subject was issued a notice to appear.