FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: Sept. 13-19

September 13, 2024, through September 19, 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

Franklin County

• Officer Hartzog observed a commercial angler throwing a cast net along the water’s edge at night on East Bay. Officer Hartzog observed him harvest a large quantity of wild shrimp in the prohibited area of all waters north of the John Gorrie Bridge. The next evening Officer Hartzog and L. Mcleod returned to the location and observed the same subject from the night before along with another subject throwing cast nets from a vessel. The officers conducted surveillance and observed them harvest more shrimp from the prohibited area. As the commercial anglers headed back to the boat ramp, they came under power and operated without navigational lights. Officers Hartzog and Mcleod initiated a vessel stop but the commercial anglers failed to stop. As the officers came alongside the vessel one of the subjects discarded the contents from a large bucket on board. The officers gave loud verbal commands for the subjects to stop the vessel, and they complied. Officers Hartzog and Mcleod conducted a resource and boating safety inspection. The subjects admitted the contents of the bucket were wild shrimp. Officer Hartzog advised the subjects he observed one of them harvest several buckets of wild shrimp the night before and they admitted to doing so. The violations of interference of an FWC officer and harvest of wild shrimp from a prohibited area were cited accordingly.
• Officer Hartzog was conducting a night patrol on East Bay and observed two individuals throwing cast nets along the water’s edge. Officer Hartzog conducted surveillance on the individuals and observed them harvesting wild shrimp from the prohibited area of all waters north of the John Gorrie Bridge. The officer conducted a resource inspection on the individuals catch and observed the individuals to be in possession of a bucket containing wild shrimp. The violation was cited accordingly. 
• Officers Forbes, Hartzog, and T. Nelson were patrolling on Apalachicola Bay and observed a vessel returning from offshore displaying fishing gear. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the subjects possessed multiple undersized and out-of-season red grouper. The violations were cited accordingly. 
• Officers T. Nelson, Hartzog, and Forbes were patrolling on Apalachicola Bay and observed a vessel under power displaying fishing gear. The officers conducted a resource inspection that revealed the subjects possessed undersized red drum and over his daily bag limit. The violations were cited accordingly. 
• Officers Hartzog, T. Nelson, and Forbes were patrolling on Apalachicola Bay and observed a vessel returning from offshore displaying fishing gear. The officers conducted a resource inspection that revealed the subjects possessed undersized cobia. The violation was cited accordingly. 

Walton County

• Officer Letcher and Lieutenant Tison responded to information about individuals using an illegal gill net on Choctawhatchee Bay. The officers maintained surveillance on seven individuals before conducting a fisheries inspection. They located a 599-square-foot monofilament gill net staked in the water near the subjects. A witness provided a sworn written statement that he observed the subjects using the net. Investigator Pifer, Officers R. Brooks and Matechik arrived to assist with the investigation. Multiple subjects were interviewed and admitted to using the illegal net. All seven subjects were arrested for use of an illegal gill net and multiple additional violations. Walton County Sheriff’s Office assisted in transporting the individuals to the jail. 

CASES

Columbia County

• Senior Officer Todd Nichols responded to a Wildlife Alert report about a subject who had set a trap in the opening of a gopher tortoise burrow on a vacant neighborhood lot.  A live gopher tortoise was observed caught in the trap and subsequently released by the complainant. After documenting the trap and observing pictures of the live tortoise in the trap, Officer Nichols contacted the lot owner. During the meeting, the subject admitted to setting the gopher tortoise trap to remove and relocate the gopher tortoise. Appropriate charges are being filed through the state attorney's office for the gopher tortoise rule violation.

Dixie County

• Officer Hilliard received information alleging a subject was in possession of a gopher tortoise. Upon identifying and locating the subject, an interview was conducted. The subject admitted to the unlawful possession of a live gopher tortoise. The subject was issued a citation and the gopher tortoise was released alive.

Duval County

• Officer Goodfellow responded to a report of a deer being kept in captivity. While at the address, Officer Goodfellow spoke with family members of the residence who denied possession of a deer and stated the homeowners were not there. Officer Goodfellow waited until the owners of the residence arrived and questioned them regarding the deer. The homeowners invited Officer Goodfellow inside the home where she discovered a spotted fawn in one of the bedrooms. The homeowner stated she bottle-fed the fawn for four months and had been assisting its recovery from an injured leg and that the fawn was now a pet. Officer Goodfellow explained state law and the homeowner voluntarily surrendered the fawn. She was issued citations for possessing wildlife in captivity without a permit and rehabilitating wildlife without a permit.

Taylor County

• Officers Anderson and Williams responded to a vessel fire in Steinhatchee. The vessel was a total loss and sank in the river. Officer Anderson completed a vessel accident report and began a derelict vessel investigation due to the vessel hull sinking in the river.  
• Officer Anderson and Lieutenant Loyed were on water patrol when they located multiple stone crab traps offshore of Keaton Beach. Officer Anderson seized nine traps and charged the owner of the traps for failure to remove the traps, trap tag violations, and trap construction violations.  
• Officer Anderson located an airboat returning to Hagen’s Cove late at night. He conducted a resource inspection and located multiple boxes of fiddler crabs. The subject admitted to selling the crabs for bait and was issued a citation for an expired Saltwater Products License. 

CASES

Brevard County

• Officer Specialist Ames was conducting surveillance at a local causeway and observed two subjects throwing cast nets in the water along the shoreline. Officer Ames observed the subjects exit the water, walk toward a truck and put their belongings in the truck bed. Officer Ames drove to the location and conducted a fisheries inspection. He found two coolers in the bed of the truck filled with mullet, sheepshead and snook. The sheepshead and snook were undersized. Both admitted to cast-netting all the fish and were cited for having undersized sheepshead and undersized snook and illegal method of harvesting snook.
• Officer Begera conducted a resource inspection on a subject fishing with a rod and reel at Sand Point Park. Officer Begera asked the subject if he had caught any fish to which he said yes and pointed to a white bucket behind him. Inside the white bucket were a croaker, pinfish, and a spotted seatrout. The seatrout was undersized and the subject was cited for the violation.
• While on patrol at Port Canaveral, Officers Snyder and Hedgepeth observed two individuals fishing near Blue Points Marina. They were in possession of pufferfish and intentionally killed fish without the intent to use them as bait or food. The individuals were cited accordingly.
• Officers Naules and Poley were patrolling a popular area for fishing from a vessel and the shoreline. The officers conducted a fisheries and license inspection on a subject who had caught fish. The subject had numerous undersized gray (mangrove) snapper. After a FWC history check, the officers discovered the individual harvesting the fish was issued a warning for the same violation prior to this inspection. Officer Naules issued the subject a notice to appear for the violation.

Indian River County

• Officer St. Martin observed several subjects throwing a cast net and floating a cooler behind them near Wabasso Causeway. Once the subjects returned to shore, Officer St. Martin approached them to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed one an undersized snook and five undersized sheepshead. The subject who was seen throwing the cast net confessed to harvesting all the fish and was cited accordingly.

Osceola County

• While patrolling a wildlife management area opening weekend of archery season, Officer Armstrong received several complaints from hunters regarding someone discharging a firearm nearby. Officer Armstrong located a vehicle with two occupants matching the description of the violators. Upon contacting the individuals, one admitted to attempting to take wild hog by firearm. The subject was cited for attempting to take wildlife with a firearm during archery season.
• Officers Mock and Crespi received numerous complaints of vehicles operating off the designated roadways in local wildlife management areas. The officers were able locate several violators during the archery season opener and addressed them accordingly.

Putnam County

• Officer Specialist Christmas conducted a follow-up investigation involving a social media post of a subject harassing an American alligator. The location was confirmed to have been at a local spring and the involved person was identified. Officer Christmas contacted the individual and addressed the violation.

Sumter County

• Officer Specialist Scrambling was patrolling along a rural road when he observed a live softshell turtle on the shoulder of the roadway. The officer observed a pickup truck in front of him pull off the side of the road. As Officer Scrambling continued driving, he observed the pickup turn around and pull off the road where the turtle was located. Officer Scrambling was able to position himself where he observed the passenger of the vehicle get out and pick up the turtle and place it in the bed of the truck. Investigator Teal happened to be driving down the rural road and observed the same thing Officer Scrambling did. The officers conducted a stop to address the violation of a 2021 executive order prohibiting the take or transport of softshell turtles. Officer Scrambling issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
• Senior Officer Phillips was on patrol in Richloam Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle pulled off the roadway and parked along the wood line. In the bed of the truck, the officer observed evidence of saw palmetto berry harvesting. Officer Phillips observed two subjects exit the woods and return to the vehicle. As he contacted the subjects, he observed freshly harvested palmetto berries. During an interview with the subjects, they admitted to being in the management area for several hours harvesting the berries and knew they weren’t supposed to. Officer Phillips issued both subjects notice to appear citations for removing protected plant life from the WMA.

CASES

Hillsborough County

• Officer Bothe responded to a possible net violation at Apollo Beach Preserve. Officer Bothe observed the net for a time from a concealed position and determined it was being used to catch fish. She approached and discovered the net was a gill net, which is illegal for use on state waters. The officer arrested the subject, who was charged with using the gill net in state waters. 
• Officer McCormack was driving through a residential area when he observed a bird cage hanging on a garage wall. The cage was a type he knew from experience to be used to illegally catch and keep migrating songbirds. Officer McCormack met with Lieutenant Burks and they approached the residence. From a public sidewalk in plain view, they used binoculars to positively identify multiple indigo buntings, which are illegal to possess. Officer McCormack contacted the owner of the residence and inspected the property. Officer McCormack observed seven indigo buntings, two painted buntings, and a blue grosbeak and multiple illegally placed traps. The property owner and another subject were charged with 14 violations each. 

Pasco County

• Officers Ferguson and Criswell were patrolling the waters offshore for scalloping activity and boating safety. The officers were around a group of scallopers with a dive flag displayed. They observed a transiting vessel on full plane enter and pass through the 100-yard area where divers were scalloping. The transiting vessel passed within 10 feet of a diver in the water. The officers performed a vessel stop on the transiting vessel. The operator was charged with reckless vessel operation and was issued other appropriate citations. 

Pinellas County

• Officers with the FWC and the Indian Shores Police Department were notified of a royal tern that was hit by a subject riding a scooter on the Redington Shores beach. A video of the event was captured by a civilian and transmitted through social media. The incident was widely spread and caused a public outcry. Officer Jody Criswell had been investigating the incident with Indian Shores PD Officer Andrews and they were able to use the video to identify the subject through the FWC Intel section. Officer Criswell worked with the State Attorney and the appropriate law enforcement action was taken.

CASES

Broward County

• Officers Rigali and Bovee conducted a resource inspection on a vessel in the Intracoastal Waterway near Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park. Two subjects onboard the vessel were issued with notice to appear citations for possession of undersized yellowtail snapper and marine life not kept in live condition.   
• Officers Antonini and Willis conducted resource inspections at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park boat ramp. Their inspections revealed one subject possessed undersized mutton snapper, gray (mangrove) snapper and lane snapper. The officer issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the undersized mutton snapper and warnings for all other violations. 
• Lieutenant Ryan conducted patrol at the A1-FEB and observed a vehicle being operated in a closed area. He stopped the vehicle to address the violation and two subjects admitted to entering the closed area to fish. A search of the vehicle revealed nine Florida bass, three of which were over 16 inches. The daily bag limit for bass is five fish, only one of which may be greater than 16 inches. Ryan issued both subjects notice to appear citations for entering the closed area and one subject was cited for the bass violation. 
• Officer Comartin responded to a grocery store in Coconut Creek based on a request from the Coconut Creek Police Department. Officer Comartin observed a 5-foot-long boa constrictor in the bush near the supermarket. He successfully captured it and will be transferring it to a licensed wildlife permittee to hold until an owner comes forward. 
• Officer Lopez responded to Plantation in reference to a dog owner who reported his dog received a gash and a few small lacerations due to a conflict with a coyote in his 6-foot fenced backyard. Officer Lopez met with the dog owner and surveyed the property to ensure there were no holes in the fenced yard. The dog was taken to an animal hospital and treated. The dog owner was provided with living with coyotes information.

Hendry County

• Senior Officer Polly observed two subjects selling saltwater products, fish and lobster, from their vehicle at a local gas station. The subjects were unable to produce documentation of where the products came from and failed to have any saltwater retail licenses. The subjects were issued notice to appear citations for failing to have bills of lading and no retail license. 
• Officer Wences was patrolling Stormwater Treatment Area 1 (STA 1), when he encountered two subjects cast netting fish. Upon inspection the officer found two Florida bass and two redear sunfish. The subjects did not have a freshwater fishing license and used an illegal method to catch gamefish. They also entered the posted area illegally. They were issued citations for illegal method and illegal entry in addition to not having a fishing license. 
• Officer Harris found corn spread on the ground in Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is illegal on WMAs. He went back on the opening morning of muzzleloader season and found a subject hunting near the bait.  Upon investigation the subject admitted to placing the bait in the area and he was issued a citation. 

Martin County

• Officer Landers was on patrol when he responded to a call regarding two individuals cast netting snook at the Roosevelt Bridge. Officer Landers arrived on scene and the individual who called in the complaint pointed out the subjects who were loading up their vehicle. Officer Landers initiated a fisheries inspection. When asked, the subjects told the officer they had no fish. The complainant told Officer Landers they had dumped the snook in the bushes nearby. Upon inspection Officer Landers found two undersized and out-of-season snook. The two subjects admitted to using a cast net to catch the snook.  One of them was issued citations for taking snook out of season, possession of undersized snook and take by illegal method. The other was issued two infractions for no shoreline license and no snook permit, 
• Officers Landers and Stiltner were around the Stuart Causeway where they saw three individuals fishing.  The officers could see the subjects as they caught multiple snapper, put them in plastic bags and then hid them in the rocks. The officers also witnessed the individuals littering. The officers approached to conduct a fisheries inspection.  While walking toward the subjects, one of them threw the plastic bags he was holding into the nearby bushes. Charges include undersized mutton and gray (mangrove) snapper and interfering with an investigation. Infractions issued include no saltwater fishing license. 

Palm Beach County

• Officer Lardakis was conducting resource patrol at the Juno Beach Pier and observed a subject fishing on the north side of the pier. The officer contacted the subject for an inspection, which revealed an over slot snook. The subject admitted to catching the fish and was charged accordingly. Later in the week, Officer Lardakis observed a subject fishing on the south of Juno Beach Pier. After a short surveillance, the subject was observed hiding an over slot snook in the bushes. Once confronted, subject admitted to catching the fish and was placed under arrest.
• Officer McVay was on patrol checking people fishing at the Indiantown Road Bridge when he observed two individuals fishing from the shoreline under the bridge. An inspection of their catch revealed violations with undersized mutton snapper, undersized gray (mangrove) snapper and marine life violations involving porkfish. The two individuals were cited accordingly.  

St. Lucie County

• Senior Officer Payne received notification that a U-Haul truck was driving in Savannah’s Preserve State Park at night. Senior Officer Payne, Officer Specialist Cernuto, and St. Lucie Sheriff’s Department responded to the area. St. Lucie Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on the U-Haul outside of the Savannah Preserve at which time the driver and passenger fled on foot. The subjects were later apprehended with the help of a St Lucie K-9.  When an inspection of the U-Haul was conducted, nine additional subjects and multiple bags of saw palmetto berries were found in the back.  Eleven subjects were arrested for harvesting over 9,400 pounds of saw palmetto berries in the state park.