FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: July 5-11

July 5, 2024 through July 11, 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

Bay County

• Senior Officer Gore and Officer Boley were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a vessel returning from fishing with several subjects on board. Officer Boley conducted a resource inspection and found a bag in the cooler containing six trigger fish filets. The individual was issued a citation for reef fish not in whole condition. 
• Senior Officer Gore, Alsobrooks and Boley were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a charter boat returning from a fishing trip. Officer Boley conducted a fisheries inspection and found an undersized king mackerel in the vessel’s fish box. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for the violation. 

Escambia County

• Investigator J. Pifer observed individuals taking photographs with several fish at Galvez Landing. The officer conducted a resource inspection and found an undersized red snapper had been harvested. A check of the charter captain’s history with the FWC revealed he had been cited earlier in the year for fishing violations. The captain was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper. 
• Investigator J. Pifer was on patrol when he observed a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico with several individuals and fishing gear on board. Upon conducting a resource inspection, Investigator Pifer located an undersized red snapper and an undersized scamp grouper on board the vessel. The owner/operator of the vessel was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper and a warning for undersized scamp grouper.  
• Investigator J. Pifer was on patrol when he observed a charter fishing vessel in Pensacola Bay with several individuals and fishing gear on board. During a resource inspection, six undersized red snapper were located on board. A check of the charter captain’s history with the FWC revealed he had been cited multiple times this year for fishing violations. The captain was issued a citation for harvesting/possession of undersized red snapper. 

Holmes County

• Officers Fowler and Touchton were on patrol when they observed a bush hook with a fish on it. The fish pulled off line as the officers approached but the line was not properly tagged with harvester information. They observed a vessel tending a line and  initiated a stop to conduct a resource inspection. The officers determined the two occupants were using panfish, a freshwater gamefish, as bait on the unattended lines. The officers checked and photographed multiple bush hooks with live panfish used as bait. The two subjects on board were cited for the violations. 
• Officers Fowler and Touchton were on patrol when they observed a vessel without navigational lights. The officers made contact with the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. They observed the vessel tied to a saw-cut cypress log with flotation attached. A chainsaw and logging equipment was located within the vessel. The vessel owner and operator admitted to unlawfully harvesting submerged timber without proper permitting or prior authorization. Charges were directly filed through the State Attorney’s Office for various violations pertaining to the offense. 

Leon County

• Officer B. Johnson II and Senior B. Johnson responded to a report of subjects selling blue crabs without licenses in a parking lot at a business. The officers arrived and observed two subjects selling blue crabs to the public from a vehicle and trailer. Upon conducting a resource inspection, the subjects did not possess a valid retail license. One subject was cited for the violation.  

Liberty County

• Officers L. Glover and B. Johnson II were on patrol conducting freshwater fishery inspections. The officers observed a subject throwing a cast net in a freshwater river and placing fish in a bucket. While conducting a resource inspection, the subject was found to possess freshwater gamefish. The subject was cited for the violation. 

Wakulla County

• Officers Fernbach and M. McLeod observed a subject walking the bank off Bottoms Road in Panacea carrying a gig and a flashlight. The officers conducted a resource inspection and discovered the subject did not have a valid fishing license and had six gigged redfish, ten undersized flounder, and one undersized sheepshead in a cooler. When questioned, the individual claimed he didn’t have any fish. The subject was arrested and taken to Wakulla County Jail charged with six misdemeanors and one noncriminal infraction.

Washington County

• Officer Fowler was on patrol when he observed two vessels harvesting catfish with an electronic shocking device. Vessel stops were initiated and resource inspections conducted on the individuals. The officer located an electronic shocking device and cables, five flathead catfish and one brown bullhead. The four occupants were issued citations for the unlawful taking of freshwater nongame fish. 
• Officer Homan was on patrol at a busy boat ramp when he observed multiple individuals engaged in an argument and acting aggressively towards one another near the boat launch. Officer Homan contacted the individuals. The primary aggressor began walking away from Officer Homan and shouting obscenities. Officer Homan detained the subject while he continued his investigation. Officers Coker and Fowler arrived and assisted in the investigation. The subject was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and transported to the county jail. 

OFFSHORE PATROL

• While conducting offshore vessel patrol in the Madison Swanson Marine Protected Area, Officers Hartzog, Nelson and Lieutenant Smith observed several instances where a vessel was bottom fishing in the protected area. The officers conducted resource inspections on the vessels and found the occupants to be in possession of reef fish in an area where the harvest and possession of reef fish is prohibited. The officers addressed the violations accordingly.
• While conducting offshore vessel patrol in the Madison Swanson Marine Protected Area south of Bay County, Officers Hartzog, Nelson, and Lieutenant Smith observed a vessel bottom fishing in the protected area. The officers conducted a resource inspection and found the occupants of the vessel were in possession of reef fish in an area where the harvest and possession of reef fish is prohibited. During the inspection the officers located three gag grouper on board the vessel. At the time of this inspection the harvest of gag grouper was closed to recreational harvesters in the Gulf of Mexico. The officers addressed the violations accordingly.
• While conducting offshore patrol in federal waters 23 miles southwest of Cape San Blas, Major Creech, Lieutenant Smith, and Officers Nelson and Hartzog conducted a fisheries inspection on a commercial fishing vessel. While approaching the vessel the officers observed one of the occupants remove a piece of fish from the vessel’s bait table and throw the piece of fish overboard. The officers boarded the vessel and during the inspection they located an undersized red grouper and observed reef fish on board not in whole condition. The officers addressed the violations accordingly. 
• Officers Hartzog and Nelson were conducting offshore vessel patrol in the Madison Swanson Marine Protected Area and observed a vessel trolling in the closed area. The officers conducted an inspection and found the occupants of the vessel were in possession of reef fish in the closed area. The officers also discovered the individuals were in possession of two undersized vermillion snapper and one undersized black sea bass in the vessel’s live well. The officers addressed the violations accordingly. 

OPERATION DRY WATER The FWC Division of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water during the July 4th holiday weekend as part of a national effort to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Throughout the holiday weekend, FWC officers educated recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs while watching for reckless or impaired operators. Between July 4-7, FWC officers in the Northwest Region cited 131 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 631 boating safety warnings and removed nine vessel operators from the water for BUI. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time, which can lead to serious injuries and consequences.

CASES

Dixie County

• Officers Hilliard and Robson located a large amount of household garbage dumped on hunt club property. The officers searched through the garbage and located several items containing the same name and address. The garbage was measured to determine the quantity that was dumped. The officers spoke with the land lessee who stated permission to discard the garbage was not given and the subject did not have permission to be on the property. The officers conducted interviews, obtained a confession and will direct file charges of illegal dumping and trespass with the State Attorney's Office.

Duval County

• Officers Kirkey, Martin, and Payne conducted a resource inspection on a vessel coming in from offshore. Officer Payne located three red snapper and learned they were caught in federal waters. All three individuals were issued federal citations for the violations. 

Taylor County

• Officer Rowe and Captain Huff conducted a resource inspection on a vessel in the Steinhatchee River and found the captain to be in possession of three red grouper during the closed season. Appropriate citations were issued.  
• Officers Edwards and Rowe conducted a vessel stop on the Steinhatchee River and found the captain and passenger to each be over the bag limit of red drum. Both subjects were issued appropriate citations.
• Officer Edwards stopped a vessel in the Steinhatchee River to conduct a resource inspection and found a container in the cooler containing black sea bass fillets. Appropriate citations were issued.

OPERATION DRY WATER The FWC Division of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water during the July 4th holiday weekend as part of a national effort to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Throughout the holiday weekend, FWC officers educated recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs while watching for reckless or impaired operators. Between July 4-7, FWC officers in the North Central Region cited 206 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 1,119 boating safety warnings and removed six vessel operators from the water for BUI. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time, which can lead to serious injuries and consequences.

CASES

Brevard County

• Officer Snyder observed a fishing vessel return to Port Canaveral. A resource inspection revealed the individual was in possession of one undersized cobia, the vessel registration sticker was displayed improperly, and was displaying unauthorized numbers. The individual was cited accordingly.
• Officers Hedgepeth and Snyder observed a vessel return from fishing to Port Canaveral. A resource inspection revealed the individual was in possession of one undersized cobia. The individual was cited accordingly.

Orange County

• Officer Hawks responded to a residence about an individual possessing native wild raccoons without a permit. Upon completion of the investigation, it was determined the subject was in possession of two wild raccoons without the proper captive wildlife permits. Officer Hawks removed the raccoons and transferred them to an appropriate facility. He issued the subject a notice to appear for the possession of raccoons without a permit.
• Officer Naules observed several individuals on a vessel using cast nets and harvesting the fish on the St. John’s River. He conducted a vessel, resource and license inspection on the subjects and observed several gamefish in one of the individuals’ possession that were harvested by the cast net. Gamefish can only be harvested by rod and reel or hook and line in Florida freshwater. Officer Naules issued the individual a notice to appear for illegal method of take for freshwater gamefish. License violations and boating safety violations were also addressed.

Putnam County

• Officer Courtney Carroll and Lieutenant Matt Jones observed a subject that appeared to be probing for artifacts at Little Lake George. The subject provided a valid fossil permit, however, a subsequent investigation revealed he was knowingly in possession of human altered artifacts. The subject was charged with the offense. 

Seminole County

• While patrolling the Wekiva River and St. John’s River, Officers Hawks and Wild and Lieutenant Mendelson conducted a resource, license and boating safety inspection on a subject fishing from a vessel with multiple lines in the water. During the inspection, Officer Hawks questioned the individual about what he was fishing for and what he was using as bait. The subject stated he was fishing for catfish and using a black crappie as bait. Officer Hawks had the subject reel up the line and observed a redear sunfish on the hook end. When Officer Hawks questioned the subject about a second line, the subject admitted to having a black bass on the hook end that was cut up for use as catfish bait. Black Bass cannot be used as bait in freshwater. Officer Hawks issued the subject a notice to appear for the violation.
• Officer Specialist Fahnestock observed several individuals using cast nets near the State Road 46 bridge and harvesting what was caught in the cast nets. Officer Fahnestock relayed the information to Lieutenant Mendelson who observed the individuals returning to their vehicle illegally parked on the side of the highway. Lieutenant Mendelson conducted a resource and license inspection and discovered several black bass and numerous panfish that were harvested illegally by the cast nets. None of the subjects had valid freshwater fishing licenses and none of the individuals had valid driver’s licenses. Officer Specialist Fahnestock issued the subjects a notice to appear for the illegal method of taking freshwater gamefish. He also issued citations for no valid freshwater fishing licenses.

Volusia County

• While on patrol in a popular fishing area, Officer Specialist Thornton and Officer Robinson observed two subjects trespassing on private property owned by a railway company. As the officers approached the subjects, they could hear spray paint cans being shaken. The officers then visually confirmed the subjects were spray painting graffiti on the railway’s property. The two subjects were detained and charged accordingly.
• Following a lead from a citizen complaint, Officer Specialist Thornton and Officer Robinson conducted surveillance on a subject seen fishing with a cast net in brackish water. The officers conducted a resource inspection that revealed the subject had harvested one out-of-season and undersized snook along with three undersized gray snapper. The subject was cited accordingly.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Orange County

• Senior Officer Bohne, assisted by several other officers from the Northeast Region, organized a fishing derby for about 60 children that reside at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. A close friend of Officer Bohne built a dock on an adjacent lake of the property for the children to use for fishing and swimming. Officers from the Northeast Region set up several stations including knot tying, the Wildlife Alert trailer, fishing from the new dock, and a static display of FWC equipment. The children all left with grab bags of fishing lures, bobbers, and hooks. The staff and parents thanked the officers for making such a positive impact on the children.
• Officer Specialist Weber (public information officer) conducted a presentation for Lobster-Palooza at Divers Direct in Orlando about the upcoming spiny lobster sport season. Officer Weber answered numerous questions regarding the rules and regulations pertaining to spiny lobsters and the new one-day season for Florida residents.

OPERATION DRY WATER The FWC Division of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water during the July 4th holiday weekend as part of a national effort to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Throughout the holiday weekend, FWC officers educated recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs while watching for reckless or impaired operators. Between July 4-7, FWC officers in the Northeast Region cited 157 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 778 boating safety warnings and removed 11 vessel operators from the water for BUI. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time, which can lead to serious injuries and consequences.

CASES

Hernando County

• Officer Kevin Grover located two commercial shrimping vessels operating in the Big Bend Shrimp Closure Area. Both vessels were observed with their trawls in the down position and fishing. The operators of the two vessels were cited accordingly.

Lee County

• Officers Lejarzar and Hardgrove were on water patrol when they observed a vessel fishing within the boundaries of a closed critical wildlife area. The island was covered with nesting birds and the vessel was anchored within a few yards a buoy marking the area as closed. The subject said he didn’t see any of the buoys. It was also determined the subject was a local charter boat captain with knowledge of the area. He was issued a citation for the violation.
• Officers Devine and Salem and Lieutenant Ruggiero observed three subjects fishing from a vessel and catching several fish. A fisheries and license inspection was conducted and the officers determined they were in possession of numerous fish. A records check revealed the fishing privileges had been revoked for one of the subjects. The subject was issued a citation for fishing while his privileges were revoked and issued a warning for possessing saltwater fish while his privileges were revoked.    

OPERATION DRY WATER The FWC Division of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water during the July 4th holiday weekend as part of a national effort to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Throughout the holiday weekend, FWC officers educated recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs while watching for reckless or impaired operators. Between July 4-7, FWC officers in the Southwest Region cited 131 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 654 boating safety warnings and removed 18 vessel operators from the water for BUI. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time, which can lead to serious injuries and consequences.

CASES

Broward County

• Officer Specialist Bruder and Officer Dudas conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel while on patrol at Port Everglades and the Intracoastal Waterway. Their inspection revealed 47 fish of the demersal species brought back from the Bahamas. Bahamian law states a vessel is only allowed 20 fish of the demersal species at any one time on a vessel. Bruder issued the owner/operator a federal citation for violation of the Lacey Act. All information in this case was sent to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for processing. 
• While on patrol near the Port Everglades Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway, Officer Willis conducted a resource inspection on an inbound vessel returning from the Bahamas. His inspection revealed a subject onboard the vessel possessed over the limit of demersal (reef fish) species. Willis issued the subject a federal citation for Lacy Act violation. 
• Officers Beppel, Favrot, and Willis conducted a resource inspection on a vessel at the Port Everglades Inlet and Intracoastal Waterway that was returning from the Bahamas. Their inspection revealed several subjects onboard the vessel possessed skinless fish fillets. The officers issued the subjects multiple federal citations for Lacy Act violations.
• Officer Beppel conducted a resource inspection on a vessel near the 14^th Street boat ramp in Pompano. During the stop, a subject admitted to having a filleted dolphinfish (mahi-mahi) onboard the vessel. Beppel issued the subject a citation for possession of dolphinfish not in whole condition. 
• Officer Willis conducted a resource inspection on a vessel near Port Everglades Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway. His inspection revealed the captain possessed an undersized red grouper. Willis issued the captain a notice to appear citation for possession of an undersized red grouper.
• Officers Bovee, Rigali and Lieutenant Padilla were conducting water patrol a half mile offshore of Port Everglades Inlet and conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel. Their inspection revealed a subject onboard the vessel possessed undersized African pompano. The subject also possessed undersized yellowtail snapper. Officer Bovee issued the subject a notice to appear citation for possession of undersize African pompano and a warning citation for possession of undersized yellowtail snapper. 
• Officer Bouras conducted a resource inspection on a vessel while patroling at the Port Everglades and Intracoastal Waterway. His inspection revealed one subject onboard the vessel possessed two undersized hogfish. Bouras issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
• Officer Favrot observed three subjects fishing across the canal on the southern levee at the north side C-304 Canal. The officer observed one of the subjects wearing a mask/snorkel retrieve a speargun from below the water line and hunt freshwater fish. Favrot contacted the subjects to conduct a resource inspection. His inspection revealed the subject wearing the mask and snorkel harvested freshwater fish by illegal means. The subject attempted to conceal/hide the speargun from the officer but the officer recovered the speargun from where it was hidden in the bushes. Favrot issued the subject notice to appear citations for taking freshwater fish via diving/using a speargun and interference with FWC inspection.
• Officer Favrot observed multiple utility task vehicles operating illegally on the properties of South Florida Water Management District and Florida Power and Light. Favrot stopped seven UTVs to address the trespass violations. During that time, he noticed one of the UTVs was stuck and unable to be retrieved by the rest of the group. Favrot assisted with the retrieval of the UTV and then addressed the violations. The officer issued 12 notice to appear citations for entry onto SFWMD lands at an unauthorized access point, operation of an unauthorized motor vehicle on SFWMD land, and trespass notices.
• Captain Hart conducted a resource inspection on a vessel while on water patrol at the Port Everglades Inlet and Intracoastal waterway. His inspection revealed one subject onboard the vessel was in possession of four undersized dolphinfish (mahi-mahi). Captain Hart issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officers McCollin-Davis and Walcott observed a vessel with fishing equipment returning from offshore while on patrol near Port Everglades and the Intracoastal Waterway. A resource inspection revealed the two subjects onboard possessed 11 undersized dolphinfish (mahi-mahi). The officers issued both subjects notice to appear citations for the violations.
• Officers Raul, Olivera, and Walcott observed a vessel with fishing equipment returning from offshore while on patrol near Port Everglades and the Intracoastal Waterway. A resource inspection revealed one subject onboard possessed eight undersized dolphinfish (mahi-mahi). Officers issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officer Willis observed an inbound vessel with fishing equipment while on patrol near Port Everglades and the Intracoastal Waterway. A resource inspection revealed the captain onboard possessed eight undersized dolphinfish (mahi-mahi). Willis issued the captain a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officers Bovee, Rigali and Lieutenant Padilla were on patrol a half mile offshore of Commercial Pier when they stopped a vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection. Their inspection revealed one subject on board the vessel possessed six undersized yellowtail snapper. Officer Bovee issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officers Rigali and Bovee were patrolling a mile offshore when they stopped a vessel with rod and reels to conduct a fisheries inspection. Their inspection revealed one subject was in possession of undersized mutton snapper. Rigali issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation. 

Martin County

• Captain Davis was on patrol in the Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area when he observed an individual cast netting. He conducted a resource inspection on the individual and found he possessed panfish. It is illegal to harvest panfish by cast net. The individual was issued and citation for the violation. 
• Lieutenant Warne was on patrol in the Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area when he observed an individual cast netting. He conducted a resource inspection on the individual and found he possessed panfish and black bass. It is illegal to harvest panfish and black bass by cast net. The individual was issued and citation for the violation. 

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Broward County

• Officers Perez, McCollin-Davis, and Walcott observed a personal watercraft operating with two occupants onboard near Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park. The passenger on the vessel was not wearing a life jacket and came off the PWC and attempted to swim toward shore. The officers contacted the operator of the vessel to investigate why the passenger did not have a life jacket. Officers heard shouts for help coming from the shoreline because the PWC passenger was going under. The officers deployed a throwable flotation device and lifted the subject onto their patrol vessel. The passenger recovered and refused medical attention. The officers transported the passenger back to the beach. Officers issued the operator of the PWC a citation for careless operation of a vessel.  
• Officer Bouras conducted water patrol approximately a mile offshore east of Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park. During that time, he observed distressed subjects in the water. The two subjects had fallen off their personal watercraft. They were completely exhausted and were being pulled out to sea. Officer Bouras recovered both subjects from the water and safely transported them back to the boat ramp, where they were further evaluated by Hollywood Police Department and Emergency Medical Services.

OPERATION DRY WATER The FWC Division of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water during the July 4th holiday weekend as part of a national effort to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Throughout the holiday weekend, FWC officers educated recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs while watching for reckless or impaired operators. Between July 4-7, FWC officers in the South A Region cited 169 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 613 boating safety warnings and removed three vessel operators from the water for BUI. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time, which can lead to serious injuries and consequences.

OPERATION DRY WATER The FWC Division of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water during the July 4th holiday weekend as part of a national effort to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. Throughout the holiday weekend, FWC officers educated recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs while watching for reckless or impaired operators. Between July 4-7, FWC officers in the South B Region cited 219 vessel operators for boating safety violations, issued 497 boating safety warnings and removed eight vessel operators for BUI. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle. Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time, which can lead to serious injuries and consequences.