FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: Sept. 27-Oct. 3

September 27, 2024, through October 3, 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

• Officers Hartzog and Forbes observed an individual fishing under the John Gorrie Bridge while they were patrolling on Apalachicola Bay. The officers moored their patrol vessel to conduct a resource inspection and discovered he was in possession of an undersized red drum and two undersized spotted seatrout. The violations were cited accordingly. 
• Officers Forbes and Hartzog were on night patrol at Apalachicola Bay and observed a vessel returning from offshore displaying gear consisting with fishing. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection and observed the subjects to be in possession of 11 undersized red grouper that were out of season and over the daily bag limit; five undersized and over the daily bag limit of gray triggerfish; and one undersized scamp. The violations were cited accordingly. 
• Officer Hartzog was on night patrol at St. George Island Sound and observed a commercial fishing vessel with no navigation lights and two individuals on board fishing with a large net. The officer stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection and observed the subjects to be in possession of commercial quantities of mullet, multiple spotted seatrout, several sheepshead, over their daily bag limit of red drum and a tarpon. Officer Hartzog escorted the subjects to a nearby boat ramp and Officer Forbes arrived on scene to assist. Upon inspection of the net being fished and the additional nets on board, they were observed to be in violation of over 500 square feet and untagged. The two commercial anglers also could not provide a current Saltwater Products License and Restricted Species Endorsement. One of the individuals was identified to have an active warrant, was arrested and transported to Franklin County Jail. The individuals were cited accordingly.

CASES

Citrus County

• Officer Jovanov was patrolling the boundaries of the Flying Eagle Wildlife Management Area prior to open hunting periods and discovered a vehicle parked nearby. The officer saw hunting equipment inside of the vehicle and signs of foot traffic traveling from the vehicle into the WMA. Officer Jovanov followed the signs of foot traffic and encountered two hunters (one adult and one under age 18) wearing camouflage and carrying compound bows and arrows. The officer also located a treestand which one hunter admitted to having placed and hunted from. Officer Jovanov issued charges to the adult hunter, which included hunting within the Flying Eagle WMA during closed season, accessing the WMA through a nondesignated entry point, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 

Dixie County

• Officers Reith and Sheffield were on patrol along the coastline when they observed a vessel return to a boat ramp with fishing gear. Upon conducting a marine fisheries inspection, the captain of the vessel was found to be in possession of five red drum and an undersized spotted seatrout. The daily vessel limit of red drum is four. Officer Sheffield issued the subject a citation for being over the daily vessel limit of red drum and a written warning for the undersized seatrout.  

Duval County

• Senior Officer Stuhr was traveling West on Wonderwood Drive when he noticed three individuals fishing a small feeder creek off the side of the road. Senior Officer Stuhr conducted the stop and discovered three red drum in a cooler. After measuring the fish, Senior Officer Stuhr asked who caught the fish and one subject took responsibility for all three fish.  Two of the red drum were undersized and by having three in possession, he was over the daily bag limit.  Senior Officer Stuhr issued a notice to appear for the violations.  

Hamilton County

• FWC officers responded to a call to assist the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office with a subject who was armed and fled into a wooded area after breaking into a house. FWC Special Operations Group team along with K-9 teams and local officers responded, setting up a perimeter of the area with Florida Department of Highway Patrol officers. The subject was seen hours later by officers and fled but was apprehended a short time later. The subject had a magazine from a pistol when apprehended. FWC K-9 teams were deployed and after approximately an hour of searching, K-9 Harlow located the pistol the subject had thrown when attempting to elude officers.  

Gilchrist County

• Officer Robson was on patrol during the archery season in the Log Landing Wildlife Management Area when he observed two subjects exit the woods dressed in camouflage. Officer Robson spoke with the subjects who were deer hunting in the WMA. One of the subjects was hunting with a crossbow during the established archery season but did not have the required persons with disabilities crossbow permit. The subject also did not have a hunting license, deer permit or management area permit as required.  Officer Robson issued the subject a citation for improper method of take, a civil citation for no hunting license, and written warnings for no deer permit and no management area permit. 

Levy County

• In the weeks leading up to archery season in Goethe Wildlife Management Area, Officers Carroll and Fox patrolled the area and located a treestand that was installed long before the allowed period. Treestands and other hunting equipment may be installed no earlier than the day before the open hunting period begins and must be removed no later than one day after the open hunting period ends. Violations of this rule causes conflicts between hunters who may or may not be hunting during the same open hunting periods. The owner of the treestand was identified and cited for placing a treestand in the WMA before the allowed period. 
• Officer Jones was patrolling the Devils Hammock Wildlife Management Area during open hunting season when he noticed a vehicle parked within an area closed to hunting. Officer Jones located the individual who was hunting within this closed area.  Officer Dykstra arrived to assist and located two accompanying subjects who were also hunting within this closed area. The three subjects were issued citations for hunting within an area posted as closed to hunting. 
• Officer Carroll was patrolling the Goethe Wildlife Management Area when she discovered a treestand unlawfully placed before the allowed period and feed/bait, a mineral block and mineral powder, which is unlawful to place. Days later, Officers Carroll and Fox returned to this site to find an individual hunting from this treestand overlooking the feed/bait. The subject admitted to having placed the treestand before the allowed period, one day prior to open hunting period, and having placed the mineral block and mineral powder for the purpose of attracting deer. The subject was cited for these violations.  

Suwannee County

• Officer Specialist Cline responded to a call about a vehicle shooting from the county road at several deer in an agriculture field. The officer arrived shortly after dark and began surveillance of the field. Soon after arriving, he observed a side-by-side return to the field and watched as the ATV turned its lights out and entered the field. The officer then observed two subjects exit the vehicle and begin using flashlights to sweep the ground in a manner consistent with blood tracking. After watching the two subjects for several minutes the officer made contact with one of them. After identifying himself he observed the other light go off and then heard a shot from the same direction as the light that went out. The officer gave loud verbal commands, and the other subject exited the woods. Both subjects were taken into custody and appropriate charges were issued including illegal method for taking deer, trespass, and road right of way hunting. The officer returned to the scene the next day and located a 25-caliber handgun where he heard the shot come from. The weapon will be tested for DNA and fingerprints and more charges are possible for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

CASES

Flagler County

• Master Officer McDonough and Officer Specialist Demeter responded to a complaint about a red drum for sale in a display case at a commercial market. They observed red drum in a display case and a sign that said, “Fresh red fish $25 each.” Additional red drum were discovered in a cooler in the back of the market. The market operator was charged with no saltwater retail license, sale of native red drum, purchase of saltwater product from unlicensed person, major violation reference possession limit, and failure to keep records.

Brevard County

• Officer Snyder observed two individuals fishing at Kiwanis Park at Geiger Point. They were in possession of four undersized spotted seatrout and two gray (mangrove) snapper. One individual claimed the fish were his and attempted to empty the cooler of fish into the water after being instructed not to touch them. The individual was cited accordingly.

Indian River County

• Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vessel with two subjects hunting alligators. After watching the subjects for some time, a resource inspection was conducted. The subjects were found to be hunting outside of their permitted alligator harvest unit. A notice to appear was issued for the offense. 

Lake County

• Officer Smith and K-9 Officer Hocker were conducting boating and resource inspections at Emeralda Marsh Public Small Game Hunting Area when they observed a vessel coming to the boat ramp. During the inspection, the officers learned the subjects were coming back from waterfowl hunting and had harvested several ducks. While checking licenses and shotguns, Officer Smith observed one of the shotguns did not have a plug in it and was capable of holding more than three shells. Officer Smith issued the subject a notice to appear citation for taking migratory gamebirds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
• Lieutenant Rice and Master K-9 Officer Simpson conducted boating and resource inspections on two vessels returning to a boat ramp on Lake Eustis. During the inspection, the officers observed equipment on the vessels indicating the subjects were waterfowl hunting. The subjects said they were hunting ducks that morning but did not harvest any. The officers observed feathers on the deck of both vessels and after a thorough inspection, located two wood ducks in a front compartment of one of the vessels. During an interview, one of the subjects admitted to harvesting both ducks and knew the harvest of wood ducks was closed. While checking licenses and shotguns, Lieutenant Rice observed one of the shotguns did not have a plug in it. The officers issued notice to appear citations for taking ducks during a closed season and taking migratory gamebirds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.

Orange County

• Officer Wild was notified by Officer McConnell, who was deployed for hurricane response, about a deer not meeting antler point regulations being brought through the check station at Rock Springs Run Wildlife Management Area. Upon contacting the check station operator, it was confirmed the deer did not meeting the 10-inch main beam or 3-points on one side requirement. Additionally, the subject’s guest did not have a guest permit on their person. Both parties were cited accordingly.

Sumter County

• Officer Stamp, Senior Officer Shaw, and Officer Specialist Scrambling were patrolling Richloam Wildlife Management Area when they observed a vehicle pulled off the side of the road. While surveilling the area the officers observed three subjects exit the woods with three dogs. The dogs were equipped with GPS collars. During an interview with the subjects, they admitted they were wild hog hunting and knew there was currently no open season. The officers issued the subjects notice to appear citations for hunting during a closed season.

Volusia County

• Officer Arroyo conducted a resource inspection on an individual fishing at the Main Street Pier. The officer discovered the subject possessed two undersized sheepshead. The subject later stated he never measured them and was cited for possession of undersized sheepshead.
• Officers Robinson and Thornton were on patrol when they observed an individual fishing with a cast net. Officer Robinson contacted the individual and located two undersized snook in a bucket. The individual did not have a valid saltwater fishing license or snook permit. The following violations were discovered during the investigation: no saltwater fishing license, no snook permit, illegal method of take, over the bag limit of snook, and undersized snook. The individual was cited accordingly.
• Officer Schaffer was patrolling Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area-Rima Ridge Unit when he noticed a large green bag sitting on the side of the main road that contained saw palmetto berries. The officer located the subject in the woods and placed him under arrest for illegal harvest of saw palmetto berries. It was later confirmed the subject had an active warrant from Seminole County. The subject was booked into the Volusia County Jail.

Putnam County

• Officer Specialist Christmas was working the archery quota hunt at a local wildlife management area when he observed someone hunting with a loaded crossbow. He stopped the subject to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection he was able to determine the subject did not have a persons with disabilities crossbow permit. The subject was cited for the violation.

Marion County

• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officer Specialist L. Dickson encountered two subjects outside of their trucks alongside a forest road. She observed both trucks to be equipped with dog boxes and both subjects were holding what appeared to be handheld tracking devices. After contacting the subjects and conducting interviews, she determined they had hunting dogs deployed and were unlawfully training deer dogs during designated archery season inside the WMA. Appropriate citations were issued.
• While patrolling a local public small game hunting area, Officers Constance and Aultman observed two subjects who had been hunting ducks return to the boat ramp. A resource inspection revealed one of the subjects killed a mottled duck out of season and did not possess a migratory bird permit. Appropriate citations were issued.
• While on patrol Officer Constance discovered a truck backed into a trail on Greenway property. He checked the area and observed foot sign leading into the woods on Greenway property. A short time later he observed a subject wearing camouflage and carrying a bow and climbing stand exit the woods. After an interview, it was determined that the subject was unlawfully hunting on Greenway property. Appropriate citations were issued.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Volusia County

• Officers Hastings and Truman responded to a missing teenage swimmer on the St. Johns River in Debary. The teenager was last seen swimming across the river at 8:15 p.m. Officers Hastings and Truman responded by vessel and began searching the area for the missing teenager. Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Edgewater Police Department, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange City Fire Department also responded. Officers Hastings and Truman continued their search until approximately 3 a.m. the next morning when they located the teenager on the shoreline 150 yards north of where she went missing. The teenager had minor injuries and was checked by emergency medical services and then reunited with her family.

CASES

Broward County

• Officer Hammad conducted land patrol during early waterfowl season at Stormwater Treatment Area 2 and initiated a resource inspection on a group of subjects who appeared to be hunting waterfowl. One subject did not comply with Hammad’s requests for his license and permits for taking waterfowl. Hammad’s investigation revealed the subject did not have a migratory bird permit or duck stamp. Hammad issued the subject notice to appear citations for no federal duck stamp and no migratory bird permit. 
• Officer Specialist Bruder observed a truck exiting the hunting area at A1-FEB with gear consistent with duck hunting. The officer conducted a resource inspection that revealed one of the hunters did not have a migratory bird permit or duck stamp. Bruder issued the subject notice to appear citations for those violations.
• Officer Willis conducted a resource inspection while patrolling at A1-FEB that revealed the subject was in possession of two black bass over 16 inches. Willis issued the subject a notice to appear citation taking more than one black bass 16 inches or longer in any one day.
• Officer Olivera conducted a resource inspection on a vessel with fishing equipment at the Hillsboro Inlet. The officer’s inspection revealed the two subjects on board were in possession of undersize mutton snapper. Olivera issued both subjects notice to appear citations for possession of undersized mutton snapper. 
• Officers Antonini and Beppel conducted patrol at the 15^th Street boat ramp. There, they observed a PWC operator with a spear gun and a cooler tying up to the dock. They contacted the operator for the purpose of resource inspection. Their inspection revealed that the operator was in possession of two undersized mutton snapper that were speared. Antonini issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation. 
• Officer Hammad conducted land patrol at the L5 and Everglades and observed subjects in a vehicle drive past cones and closure signs, violating the area’s emergency closure due to high water. Hammad investigated and discovered the driver of the vehicle did not have a driver’s license or insurance on the vehicle. Hammad issued the subject notice to appear citations for no driver’s license/never had one and for violation of the emergency closure order. The subject was issued a warning for no proof of insurance. 
• Officer Willis and Officer Giani conducted land patrol at the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area and contacted a subject snake hunting in the closed area of the WMA. Their investigation revealed the subject passed multiple signs that advised the area was closed. Officers issued the subject a notice to appear citation for violating administrative code 68A-13.007(2)(j) Public access is prohibited in portions of public hunting areas that are posted as closed or restricted. 
• Officer Willis conducted land patrol near the Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 and contacted a subject fishing in a closed area. The subject informed Willis he used his STA key to open the gates on his day off to go fishing. Willis issued the subject two notice to appear citations for fishing or frogging in areas closed to fishing or frogging within the stormwater treatment areas and entry onto South Florida Water Management District lands when closed. The subject was also issued a citation for not having a freshwater fishing license.
• Officers Giani and Willis conducted land patrol at Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 and contacted two subjects trespassing and fishing on closed property. The officers issued the adult subject a notice to appear citation for fishing in a restricted area of the STA. 
• Officer Giani and Willis conducted patrol at Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 and contacted three subjects trespassing in a posted closed area. An investigation revealed the subjects parked in front of signs that read, “No trespassing,” “No fishing,” and “No public access at this point.” Officers issued the three subjects notice to appear citations for the violations and escorted them off the property.
• Officer Specialist Bruder conducted land patrol at the L4 levee and observed two subjects in a closed area fishing. Bruder’s investigation revealed the subjects passed multiple signs posted about the closed area. Bruder issued both subjects notice to appear citations for being in a closed area. 
• Officer Willis observed a subject trespassing in Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4. The officer’s investigation revealed the subject jumped multiple barriers and passed multiple “no trespassing signs” to fish in a restricted area. Willis issued the subject a notice to appear citation for fishing in restricted areas of the STA posted by signage. 
• Lieutenant Ryan conducted land patrol of South Florida Water Management District lands near Lox Rd. and observed several dirt bikes trespassing and operating illegally on state lands. The subjects attempted to leave the area but were contacted while attempting to exit through the gate. Ryan’s investigation revealed the group of subjects consisted of one adult and several juveniles. Ryan issued the adult a notice to appear citation for operation of a motorized vehicle on South Florida Water Management District lands. The juveniles were warned for the same violation.

Martin County

• Officer Landers was at the Stuart Causeway when he saw an individual catch a goliath grouper. The subject then quickly loaded his gear in his car and was stopped by the officer as he was leaving the area.  When asked what he had caught, the subject admitting to catching a goliath grouper. Goliath groupers are a protected species and it is illegal to harvest or possess them in Florida waters. The subject was arrested and charged with harvest and possession of goliath grouper. 
• Officer Landers used night vision goggles to watch an individual fishing underneath the 10 Cent Bridge and saw the subject land two snook and hide them. After the subject loaded up his gear and retrieved the bucket with the snook, he placed his cast net on top to conceal the fish. As the individual was leaving the area, Officer Landers stopped him and found two undersized snook. Snook must be between 28 and 32 inches and the possession limit is one per day. Due to the subject’s previous resource violations, he was arrested and issued four citations for possession of over the daily bag limit and taking undersize snook. 

St. Lucie County

• Officer Irwin responded to assist Port St. Lucie Police Department with a single vessel crash on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Upon his arrival he observed a vessel tied to a dock with a collapsed boat lift next to it. The vessel operator had been transported by EMS to a local hospital with injuries. No other occupants were reported to be involved per the operator. The investigation is ongoing. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Broward County

• Officers Willis and Giani took part in a community outreach event at the Bass Pro Shops in Dania Beach. They collaborated with Bass Pro Shops staff to promote conservation education among the young future stewards of Florida. Many children participated in the event and had the opportunity to learn how to fish. Willis and Giani taught them how to bait hooks, rig, and cast rods.