 CASES
Bay County
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Lieutenant S. Wicker conducted a vessel stop in Grand Lagoon for a resource inspection. The inspection revealed three red snapper were in possession during closed season. The operator stated he thought it was open on the weekend. He was notified the season opened the following day. He and the others on the vessel were informed about how to properly look up the season dates. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for possession of red snapper in a closed season.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Lieutenant Wicker conducted a resource inspection on a vessel in St. Andrews Bay that was returning from fishing. During the inspection, Officer Alsobrooks found several greater amberjack carcasses and a gag grouper carcass along with bags of filets. There were some unidentifiable filets mixed in with the amberjack filets. The captain of the vessel was given a citation for possession of reef fish not in whole condition.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks, Lieutenant Wicker and Captain Clements were in Grand Lagoon when they stopped a vessel returning from fishing. Officer Alsobrooks conducted a fisheries inspection and discovered three undersized red snapper, one undersized and out-of-season red grouper and three undersized greater amberjacks in the live well. The captain of the vessel stated he was unsure of a few of the species. He was educated about how to identify the fish and given a citation for the undersized red snapper and a warning for the amberjack and red grouper.
Escambia County
- Officer Hahr and Lieutenant Corbin checked a vessel that had been bow fishing. A large spotted seatrout lay on the deck of the boat with an obvious hole through it. The charter captain admitted to allowing his out-of-state customers to shoot the fish. He was charged with taking spotted seatrout by a prohibited method.
- Officers Hahr and Waters and Lieutenant Corbin teamed up to work marine fisheries over Labor Day weekend and found nine boats in violation of marine fishery rules including taking undersized red snapper, flounder, greater amberjack, gray triggerfish, and vermillion snapper.
- While conducting a resource inspection, Officers Hahr and Waters located two subjects who had harvested five undersized triggerfish. Both subjects were charged with over the limit of gray triggerfish and keeping five undersized triggerfish. One of the subjects was found to be wanted out of Georgia and was subsequently arrested for the outstanding warrant.
- Officer Lugg and Officer Waters were on patrol in the Pensacola Pass performing marine fisheries inspections when they observed a small vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico with fishing equipment. A marine fisheries inspection revealed the vessel to be in possession of out-of-season red snapper. The individual responsible was cited accordingly.
- Officer Favrot conducted a resource inspection on an incoming fishing vessel at Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp. During the inspection, the officer found the individual was in possession of three red snapper and in violation of the closed season and recreational daily bag limit. Of the three red snapper, two measured less than the required minimum total length of 16 inches. The subject was cited accordingly for the violations.
- Officer Waters and Officer Lugg were on patrol during Labor Day weekend and located two different vessels possessing out-of-season red snapper. One of the vessels was a charter dive boat. All subjects were cited accordingly for their violations.
Jefferson County
- Officer L. Glover and Major R. Creech were conducting boating safety inspections on the Wacissa River. During a vessel inspection, Officer Glover recognized a subject on the vessel that had posted on social media a harvested alligator with no CITES tag. A short interview was conducted and the subject admitted to killing an approximate eight-foot alligator with a rifle. Officer Glover did a follow up interview with a second subject. One rifle and one alligator head were seized. Charges will be direct filed with States Attorney’s office.
Okaloosa County
- Officers Oliver and Phillips were on patrol when they responded to a report of a boating accident involving a rented personal watercraft that struck a swimmer who was snorkeling. The officers identified the PWC operator and the injured victim. The victim was transported to the hospital. The officers conducted a boating accident investigation, revealing the operator of the PWC was operating in a reckless manner, which resulted in injuries to the snorkeler. The operator stated he did see a dive flag present on the vessel as he passed but did not see one in the water by the swimmer. The operator stated he saw the snorkeler at the last second and attempted to turn but was too late. While speaking with witnesses, they stated the PWC was operating at a high rate of speed. The operator was charged with reckless operation of a vessel and cited for not slowing to a speed no faster than what is required to maintain steerage and headway while within 300 feet from a diver down flag.
- Officers Oliver and Phillips were on patrol in the Destin Pass when they stopped a fishing vessel returning from offshore. While conducting a resource inspection, the officers determined the two individuals on board the vessel were in possession of undersized gray triggerfish. Both subjects were issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
Santa Rosa County
- Officers Bower and Brown were on patrol conducting resource inspections at local fishing piers. Upon conducting a resource inspection, the officers located two subjects with four undersized Spanish mackerel. In addition, the subjects did not have a valid fishing license. One of the subjects took responsibility for the undersized fish and was cited appropriately.
- Over Labor Day weekend, security cameras at the Blackwater Heritage State Trail caught a subject in the park after hours tampering with the park building and its utilities. After the subject realized he was being recorded he posed with three guns and a pipe in his mouth in front of the cameras. Officers Mullins and Roberson identified the subject from the footage. A thorough search was conducted and the subject was located along the trail later in the day. A search revealed he did not have any weapons, drugs, or paraphernalia in his possession at that time. The subject stated the guns he was posing with were cap guns. Officers explained the law and how multiple agencies are addressing illegal activity in and around the park. The subject was cited for park violations and trespassed from the area.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Bay County
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Lieutenant Wicker stopped a vessel in the pass at night with no navigation lights. The owner had a laceration to his foot and his friend was trying to drive the boat back in. The boat was overloaded and challenging to navigate. Lieutenant Wicker boarded the boat to drive it back while Officer Alsobrooks called for EMS to meet them at the St. Andrews State Park boat ramp. EMS arrived and provided aid to the injured party, who later went to the hospital.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Lieutenant Wicker were on patrol when they were notified of a person in the water with a lifejacket on and his personal watercraft sinking in the North Bay. They arrived a few minutes later to find the individual hanging onto a pontoon boat. They tied the PWC to their vessel and towed it to a nearby ramp. The individual was taken to the same ramp by good Samaritans that were on scene. The individual did not sustain any injuries.
 CASES
Citrus County
- While on vessel patrol near Crystal River, Senior Officer VanNess conducted a resource inspection upon a vessel with fishing equipment. During this inspection, Senior Officer VanNess discovered an undersized cobia and an undersized spotted sea trout. The subject was charged for harvesting the undersized cobia and issued a written warning for the undersized spotted sea trout.
- Senior Officer VanNess conducted a resource inspection on a fishing vessel returning from offshore. The subjects were in possession of several fish, including three undersized hogfish. The subject was charged for harvesting undersized hogfish.
- Officer Jovanov conducted a resource inspection on an inshore fishing vessel and discovered the subjects were in possession of two redfish and one spotted sea trout, all of which were undersized. The subject was charged for the harvest of undersized redfish and spotted sea trout.
- While patrolling the Homosassa River, Lieutenant Ransom conducted a resource inspection on a fishing vessel returning from offshore and discovered the subjects on board were in possession of three undersized hogfish and one undersized gray (mangrove) snapper. The subject was charged for the violations.
- Officer Specialist Ulrich and Officer G. Balling were on state water patrol when they observed four individuals moving a vessel from the bank of a local island that is frequently used as an illegal camping area. The officers conducted a vessel safety and resource inspection of the area. Officer Specialist Ulrich observed multiple dead catfish and fish skins lying around the area. The officers’ investigation revealed multiple undersized fish and red drum and sheepshead not landed in whole condition. Appropriate citations were issued for the violations.
- Officer Jovanov and Lieutenant Browning were on state water patrol when they observed a vessel traversing the area with fishing gear and three individuals on board. A vessel safety and resource inspection was conducted. When asked, the operator stated they had two snook on board. The officers located the snook and issued citations to the operator and one occupant for possession of snook during a closed season.
Dixie County
- Officer Specialist Sheffield and Lieutenant Ward were on patrol when they observed a vehicle towing an airboat away from a coastal boat ramp. The vehicle operator stopped and spoke to Lt. Ward. When asked if they had caught any fish, the driver stated they had a few. Upon conducting a marine fisheries inspection, the subject was found to be in possession of a redfish and a spotted seatrout, both of which had been speared. It is unlawful to harvest redfish and spotted seatrout by spear. The subject was issued citations for the violations.
- Officer Specialist Hilliard and Lieutenant Ward were on patrol when they observed several individuals fishing with cast nets and rod and reel from the shoreline. Upon conducting a marine fisheries inspection, one subject was found to be in possession of a spotted seatrout that was under the legal slot size for spotted seatrout. The subject was issued a citation for the violation.
- Officer Specialist Sheffield and Lieutenant Ward were on patrol at a coastal boat ramp and conducted a marine fisheries and safety inspection on a vessel with two subjects returning to the ramp. The inspection revealed the subjects were in possession of two redfish and one spotted seatrout. One of the redfish was undersized and one subject stated he caught all three fish. The legal daily bag limit of redfish is one per person per day. The subject did not have the required saltwater fishing license, a boating safety education ID card, and there were various other violations related to the vessel registration. The subject was issued citations for the short redfish and being in possession of over the daily bag limit of redfish. The subject was also issued civil citations for no saltwater fishing license, no boating safety education ID card, and several written warnings for the other violations.
OFFSHORE PATROL
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Fincat, crewed by Officer Jacobs and Lieutenant Willis, observed a vessel fishing in federal waters. Lieutenant Willis conducted a resource inspection and found the vessel had multiple undersized gray (mangrove) snapper onboard. The captain was issued a federal citation for the offense and the case will be turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for final disposition.
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Fincat, crewed by Officer Jacobs and Lieutenant Willis, conducted a resource inspection on a vessel returning from offshore with fishing gear and a jon boat at its stern. During the inspection, it was found the vessel was in possession of two undersized hogfish. The captain was issued a federal citation for the offense. The other vessel onboard was found offshore and the boat was turned over to local FWC officers in Hernando County for return to its owner. The case for the hogfish will be turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for final disposition.
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Fincat, crewed by Officer Jacobs and Lieutenant Willis, conducted a resource inspection on a fishing vessel returning from offshore. Officer Jacobs located multiple undersized fish, including gag grouper and gray (mangrove) snapper. The vessel was also missing their descending device as required for snapper/grouper species. The subject was issued a federal citation for the undersized gag and will be issued federal warnings for the other fish onboard. The captain was issued a warning for the gear violation.
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Fincat, crewed by Officer Jacobs and Lieutenant Willis, was on patrol in federal waters when they were contacted by one of the crew members of OPV Gulf Sentry about a diving vessel that appeared to be fileting a fish. The officers located the vessel and on approach, they observed a passenger who appeared to throw something into the water. Lt. Willis boarded the vessel to conduct an inspection. Two undersized mangrove snappers were found and the vessel did not have their required descending device onboard. The captain was issued a federal citation for the undersized fish. The case is being turned over to NOAA for final disposition and any additional charges.
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Fincat, crewed by Officer Jacobs and Lieutenant Willis was on patrol in federal waters when they observed a fishing vessel heading toward shore. The officers conducted a resource and boating safety inspection and found an out-of-season red grouper. A subject onboard was issued one federal citation for the offense and additional warning was issued for no descending device onboard. The case is being turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for final disposition.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Citrus County
- Officer Specialist J. Hughes along with Officers M. Pietroburgo and G. Balling responded to a medical emergency off the coast of Citrus County. The FWC officers and two Citrus County paramedics used an FWC offshore vessel to locate the vessel approximately 4.5 miles offshore. Officer Specialist Hughes and Officer Pietroburgo boarded the vessel, assisting the paramedics in administering first aid to the two unresponsive crewmembers. Once the paramedics stabilized the two subjects they were taken back to shore where emergency response personnel transported the subjects to a local hospital.
 CASES
Brevard County
- Prior to the opening of snook season at Sebastian Inlet State Park, officers in a concealed location observed one individual catch a snook and run it to his vehicle. Officers Marshall, Begera, and K-9 Officer Platt intercepted the subject after he attempted to hide the out-of-season snook in his vehicle. A resource inspection of the vehicle revealed illegal snook and the subject was cited accordingly.
- While on water patrol at Sebastian Inlet, Officers Marshall and Begera were notified by fellow officers they had witnessed a subject on a vessel catch and keep a large goliath grouper, which is illegal. Officers Marshall and Begera stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection and located the goliath grouper. The subject was cited accordingly. Moments later, Officers Marshall and Begera were again notified by officers on land that they witnessed a vessel catching and keeping snook out of season. The officers located the vessel and conducted a resource inspection, which revealed the subjects were in possession of snook out of season. The subjects were cited accordingly.
- Officers Hopkins, Marshall, Begera, and St. Martin, along with Captain Gaudion patrolled Sebastian Inlet after the opening of snook season. The officers observed a vessel with numerous subjects on board fishing for snook. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection, which revealed the subjects were in possession of one snook over the legal slot limit to possess. The subjects were cited accordingly.
- Officers Begera and Ames were conducting water patrol when they observed a few groups of people fishing under one of the local causeways in the Banana River. While conducting fisheries inspections, the officers saw a group of anglers heading back to their truck with two spearguns and fish on a stringer. A fisheries inspection was conducted, and the subject was found to be in possession of a speared, undersized, and out-of-season snook and an undersized sheepshead. The subject was cited accordingly.
- While conducting routine road patrol, Officers Crespi and Hopkins received a call about individuals trespassing and hunting with dogs on a property they did not have permission to hunt. The officers located the subjects and multiple hunting dogs in the bed of the vehicle wearing GPS tracking collars. The dogs were also missing the proper identification required when hunting with dogs. The three individuals admitted to trespassing on the property with their dogs and all violations were addressed appropriately.
- Officers Crespi and Hopkins were addressing hunting violations when they encountered a subject who had an outstanding warrant out of Indian River County for FWC violations. The officers placed the subject under arrest and transported the subject to jail.
- After watching a group hunt alligator in two different alligator management units, Lieutenant Lightsey conducted a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the group had hunted outside their permitted area and driven down a closed road in a waterfowl management area. A notice to appear was issued for hunting out of area.
Indian River County
- Officer Specialist Marroquin was patrolling at the Main Street Boat Ramp when he observed a vessel violating the slow speed zone with a large number of individuals on board. Officer Marroquin stopped the vessel to address the violation and conduct a vessel safety inspection. Several boating safety violations were addressed.
- Officer Beck responded to a complaint from an anonymous source about a subject near a fishing pier who caught and kept a goliath grouper. The complainant said the subject ran the grouper back to their vehicle after catching it and then returned to fishing. Officer Beck identified the subjects and conducted a resource inspection of their vehicle, which revealed the goliath grouper. The subject was cited for possessing a goliath grouper.
- Officers Hopkins and Pereles were on water patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park when they were notified by land-based officers that a vessel fishing in Sebastian Inlet caught several large snook and was now leaving the area. The officers quickly intercepted the vessel as it left the inlet and conducted a resource inspection, which revealed three snook on board, two of which were over the legal slot limit. Furthermore, one of the subjects admitted to catching two snook, which put him one fish over the daily bag limit of one. The subject was cited accordingly.
Osceola County
- While on night patrol, Lieutenant Lightsey observed three subjects shining lights while walking down a secluded roadway. He approached the subjects and discovered they were taking freshwater turtles. An inspection revealed the subjects had taken over the possession limit of turtles. A notice to appear was issued for the violation.
Putnam County
- Officers Carroll, Hayden and Galvan were performing resource inspections at the Palatka City Docks when they discovered an individual who was in possession of freshwater gamefish (bream) and a saltwater fish (flounder). The officer’s investigation determined the bream was caught with a cast net and the flounder was undersized. The subject was also found to be fishing without a license. The subject was cited accordingly.
Marion County
- Officer Flynn received information regarding a subject possibly keeping two alligators in his backyard swimming pool. Officers Flynn and Constance went to the subject’s residence and conducted an interview. The subject initially denied there were any alligators on his property but after further questioning, he admitted there were two alligators in his backyard swimming pool. During the investigation, officers also discovered a recently killed alligator on the property in addition to several freshwater slider turtles. The subject was arrested for two counts of possession of an alligator, one count of unlawful take, and one count of unlawful take of slider turtles.
Seminole County
- Officers Easterbrook and Poley patrolled the St. Johns River checking recreational alligator hunters and conducting boating safety enforcement. In the middle of the night, the officers observed a vessel shining lights in a manner consistent with alligator hunting. The vessel was operating and hunting inside Mullet Lake, which has been and still is closed to alligator hunting. The officers conducted a resource inspection, which revealed the subjects were hunting alligators in the closed zone. The subjects were issued notice to appear citations for hunting alligators out of the assigned area.
- Officer Hawks and Lieutenant Mendelson were conducting airboat patrols along the St. Johns River around Puzzle Lake and were notified about a boating accident that occurred on the marsh. The officers responded to the area the subjects were taken to along with sheriff’s office and fire rescue personnel. The subjects were alligator hunting from an airboat when the operator lost control of the vessel. The vessel swamped and the subjects were transported back to the boat ramp uninjured with no need for medical assistance. The vessel was removed the following morning and the operator was issued a self-report boating accident form.
- Officer Hawks was patrolling the St. Johns River when he observed an individual fishing with a cast net in the river. Officer Hawks conducted a resource inspection and found the subject to be harvesting several freshwater gamefish. Freshwater gamefish can only be harvested by hook and line or rod and reel. The subject was issued a notice to appear for taking freshwater gamefish by an illegal method.
- Officer Hawks was patrolling the St. Johns River and observed a subject on a vessel catch and keep fish from the river with cast nets. Officer conducted a resource inspection that revealed the subject had harvested several species of freshwater gamefish illegally. Officer Hawks issued the subject a notice to appear for the illegal method of take of freshwater gamefish.
- Officers Wild and Naules, along with Major Russel were on water patrol on the St. Johns River near the Wekiva River when they observed a vessel with no navigation lights. The passenger was throwing a cast net off the bow by light of a headlamp. Upon initiating a vessel stop, Officer Wild observed gamefish inside the vessel’s bucket that were harvested by cast net. The individual throwing the cast net was issued a notice to appear for the illegal method of take of freshwater gamefish and the vessel operator was cited for multiple boating infractions. Later that same morning, the officers were on water patrol on the St. Johns River near the I-4 bridge when Officer Wild observed a vessel operating north with no functional anchor light. The operator was cited for several boating infractions.
Sumter County
- Senior Officer Phillips was patrolling Richloam Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle pull off the side of the road and stop. Shortly after, the officer observed a subject exit the wood line dressed in camouflage clothing and carrying a compound bow enter the vehicle. The vehicle pulled back onto the road and performed an illegal U-turn. Officer Phillips conducted a stop to address the violation and contacted the two occupants who were dressed in camouflage clothing. The passenger who was just picked up had a bow release on their hand. During an interview with the subjects, they admitted they were wild hog hunting in the WMA. They had two compound bows, two climbing treestands, and various other hunting equipment located in the vehicle. Richloam WMA was not open for any hunting during the time. Officer Phillips issued both subjects notice to appear citations for hunting during a closed season.
Volusia County
- Officers Laroche and Velez were on water patrol around Firecracker Island and George R. Kennedy Memorial Park when they observed a vessel unoccupied and out-of-control on a full plane. Three juveniles had been aboard the vessel when the operator, was not wearing a kill switch lanyard, turned sharply ejecting all three occupants. A Good Samaritan collected the three juveniles from the water and got them to Firecracker Island unharmed. Officer Laroche began to create a large wake using tactical boat operation to steer the vessel onto a barrier island. The tactic was successful and the vessel grounded on an interior island. No damage was sustained to the patrol boat or the out-of-control vessel. The vessel operator was issued a citation for reckless operation and a noncriminal infraction for no boater safety education ID card. The juveniles’ parents were contacted.
- Office Laroche was on patrol in Edgewater when he observed a known violator in the immediate area. Officer Laroche waited for the subject to get close and then hailed him to come ashore. The vessel had numerous coolers aboard and fishing gear. After contacting the subject, Officer Laroche conducted a fisheries inspection. One cooler contained spots and croakers the subject intended to sell at local boat store. Officer Laroche asked the subject to open a forward cooler that had been concealed and it contained half a dozen blue crab and four stone crabs in whole condition. It is unlawful to possess stone crab (out of season) and only the claws may be harvested during season. The violations were addressed appropriately.
 CASES
Charlotte County
- Officers Josh Brannen and Alex Russell responded to a report from the Punta Gorda Police Department regarding three individuals fishing from shore at Ponce De Leon Park and keeping snook. Officer Russell, who was in plain clothes, located the individuals and observed them catch two snook and attempt to conceal them as one of the subjects walked them back to their vehicle. Officer Russell alerted Officer Brannen who was waiting nearby. A resource inspection was conducted, which revealed four snook and one redfish, all of which were under the legal-size limit. As Officer Brannen was citing them for the take of snook during closed season, undersized snook, over the bag limit of snook and possession of undersized redfish, another individual was returning to his vehicle, which was parked directly next to his patrol truck. Officer Russell greeted the individual and began to conduct another resource inspection. The second individual opened his cooler where Officer Russell found three redfish, one of which was undersized. The second subject was cited for over the bag limit of redfish and possession of undersized redfish as well.
Lee County
- Officer Joshua Chambers responded to a call from Officer Alex Russell who was conducting surveillance near Blind Pass in plain clothes about a subject keeping a small gray (mangrove) snapper. Officer Chambers stopped the individual to conduct a resource inspection, which revealed 13 mangrove snappers, 12 of which were undersized. The subject was charged appropriately.
- Officer Chambers and Officer Arbogast conducted a resource inspection on two individuals near Blind Pass. An inspection of the cooler revealed 23 gray (mangrove) snapper, which was over the legal bag limit of 5 per person. Additionally, 21 of the 23 mangrove snapper were under the legal-size limit. Both individuals were charged appropriately for over the bag limit and undersized fish. The officers also charged them individually for two counts of undersized mangrove snapper.
Pasco County
- Officer Kaitlin Taylor and Officer Miros Petru were on water patrol and conducted a resource inspection on vessel inbound from offshore. Upon inspection, they located two undersized gag groupers onboard. A subject admitted to catching and keeping both fish. The subject was cited accordingly.
 CASES
Broward County
- Officers Comartin and Rigali were patrolling the 17 St. Causeway Bridge and conducted a fisheries inspection, which revealed a subject who was in possession of a dead porkfish. A check of the subject’s name revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. Rigali attempted to detain the subject who resisted by pulling away and attempting to flee on foot. Rigali prevented the subject from escaping. The officers discovered the subject had a handgun and multiple felony convictions in multiple states. Rigali arrested the subject for 11 counts of possession of firearm by a convicted felon, battery on law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and possession of dead marine life. The subject was transported to the Broward County jail.
- Officers Comartin and Rigali conducted patrol at the Storm Water Treatment Area 3/4 during the statewide alligator harvest season. They contacted subjects who had harvested alligators to conduct resource inspections. Their inspection revealed a subject who was outside of his permitted dates. Comartin issued the subject a notice to appear citation for possession of alligator outside of his permitted dates.
- Officer Willis and Officer Giani conducted land patrol at the Storm Water Treatment Area 3/4 during the statewide alligator harvest season. They contacted subjects who had harvested alligators to conduct resource inspections. Their resource inspection revealed a subject did not properly dispatch the alligator. The officers instructed the subject about how to dispatch the alligator properly and issued the subject a notice to appear citation for violating admin. code 68A-25.042(3)(d)1 Alligators captured by snares, snatch hook must be released or killed immediately.
- Officer Willis and Giani conducted land patrol in Storm Water Treatment Area 2 during the statewide alligator harvest season. They contacted subjects who had harvested alligators to conduct resource inspections. Their resource inspection revealed a subject who was hunting on the wrong dates. Willis issued the subject a notice to appear citation for violating administrative code 68A-25.042(3)(b) hunting the wrong date.
- Officer Willis and Giani conducted land patrol near the entrance of Stormwater Treatment Area 2 during the statewide alligator harvest season. They contacted subjects who had harvested alligators to conduct resource inspections. Their resource inspection revealed a subject who was hunting out of area. Willis issued three subjects notice to appear citations for violating administrative code 68A-25.042(3)(b) hunting out of area.
- Officers Giani and Willis conducted land patrol at A1-FEB and contacted two subjects for the purpose of a resource inspection. Their inspection revealed the subjects were in possession of three black bass over 16 inches. The officers issued one subject a notice to appear citation for violating administrative code. 68A-23.005(6)(a) No person shall take in any one day more than one black bass 16 inches or longer in total length.
- Officer Willis and Officer Giani conducted land patrol at A1-FEB. There, they contacted two subjects for the purpose of a resource inspection. Their inspection revealed the subjects where in possession of four black bass over 16 inches. The officers issued both subjects notice to appear citations for violating administrative code 68A-23.005(6)(a) No person shall take in any one day more than one black bass 16 inches or longer in total length.
- Officer Willis and Giani conducted land patrol near the Sportsman Crossover. There, they observed two subjects fishing in Stormwater Treatment Area 2. Both subjects were contacted and issued notice to appear citations for violating 68A-13.007(2)(j) Public access is prohibited in portions of public hunting areas that are posted as “closed” or “restricted.”
- Officer Lopez was patrolling at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park and observed a van being operated in the park. A check of the van’s license plate revealed a registration that did not match. Lopez conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver had a suspended driver’s license. Lopez arrested the driver for driving while license suspended and attached tag not assigned. The driver was transported to the Broward County Jail.
- Officer Giani was patrolling near U.S. 27 and the L5 levee entrance and observed two subjects trespassing in a well posted, “No Trespass" and "No Fishing” area. Giani contacted the subjects to investigate. The subjects said they did not see the 10 “no trespassing” signs they passed or the sign they were fishing next to. Giani issued both subjects notice to appear citations for trespassing on state land and escorted them off the property.
- Captive Wildlife Investigator Wright inspected a business that exhibits turtles. He previously assisted the business by explaining required licenses and educated them on the rules and regulations regarding exhibiting wildlife, including what species they cannot possess. During the inspection, he found the facility to be in possession of a red eared slider turtle and a diamondback terrapin. Both species require additional authorization to possess. He issued citations for the illegal possession of the turtles and a warning for sanitation issues with the pond. The turtles were placed at a properly authorized facility.
Palm Beach County
- Officer Norbrothen responded to a call related to suspicious activity in J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. When he arrived and walked into the woods, he found three bags of harvested saw palmetto berries. He was able to detain one subject during a foot pursuit. Several more officers arrived on scene and conducted a search through the woods looking for other subjects. The officers found 54 bags of saw palmetto berries totaling 7,641 pounds. The subject who was detained was arrested and booked into the county jail. His charges included harvest of palmetto berries, taking plants from the WMA and entering a closed area.
- Officer Brevik was patrolling the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area when he received a tip from a hunter who had spotted individuals loading saw palmetto berries into their vehicle from within the WMA. Officer Brevik drove to the location and observed the vehicle attempting to leave with evidence of saw palmetto berries in the back of the pickup truck. The vehicle was stopped and the driver and passenger were detained. After questioning, it was determined both individuals had retrieved the berries from within the WMA and did not have any permits to possess them. Both individuals were arrested for harvesting and transporting saw palmetto berries without a permit, entering J.W. Corbett WMA during a time when it was closed to the public, and entering the WMA through a nondesignated entrance.
- Officer Brevik received a call about an individual illegally shooting ducks. Officer Brevik responded to the scene and met with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies who found an individual walking around with a .22 rifle. The individual admitted to shooting ducks. The individual was cited for the following violations: harvesting ducks out of season, harvesting mottled ducks over the bag limit, and harvesting ducks using lead shot. The individual was also cited for not having a federal duck stamp and lacking a waterfowl permit.
- Officer Brevik responded to a call about an individual who had harvested an illegal antlered deer on the opening day of hunting season. Officer Brevik met with the individual at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area check station where the individual was checking in the harvested deer. The officer and a biologist measured the antlers and found them to be under the minimum size limit. The individual was issued a citation for the violation.
- Officers Brevik and Simmons observed a subject on an e-bike illegally enter a nondesignated entrance at J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. The subject was issued a citation for the illegal entry.
- Officers Brevik and Simmons were on patrol in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area when they were notified by traffic cameras that an individual who had entered the management area was a habitual traffic offender. The officers kept an eye out for the vehicle while conducting their normal patrol. Several hours later, they spotted the vehicle passing by. The officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and confirmed the driver was a habitual traffic offender. The subject was arrested and transported to jail.
MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE
Broward County
- Officers Rigali and Comartin were dispatched to a residence in Miramar where the resident was asking for assistance with a bird that had flown into the house. The officers observed a Cooper’s hawk that had flown into the house and could not find its way out. They safely and successfully captured the small hawk and released it unharmed in a natural, wooded area.
 CASES
Monroe County
The U.S. Coast Guard, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and an FWC helo observed a vessel navigating toward swimmers competing in the Swim for Alligator Reef Light and tried to divert the vessel from its course. However, the vessel operator was not aware it was being followed by law enforcement. The vessel continued its course until the FWC helo hovered approximately 20-30 ft above the water in front of the vessel forcing it to stop before it encountered the swimmers. After conducting a safety inspection and resource investigation, the subject was charged with possession of 12 wrung lobster tails upon state waters and 327.461(3) - A person who continues to operate, or authorize the operation of, a vessel in violation of the restrictions of such a safety zone, security zone, regulated navigation area, or naval vessel protection zone after being warned against doing so, or who refuses to leave or otherwise cease violating the restrictions of such a safety zone, security zone, regulated navigation area, or naval vessel protection zone after having been ordered to do so by a law enforcement officer or by competent military authority, commits a felony of the third degree. The subject was booked in Plantation Key Jail.
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