FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: Nov. 8-14

November 8, 2024, through November 14, 2024

This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified weeks; 
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

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View previous editions.

CASES

Bay County

• Senior Officer N. Basford, Gerber and Jarrell observed an individual leaving Pearl Bayou in a vessel with traps onboard. They stopped the vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection. The individual stated he had two undersized flounder that were dead in his trap. The officers noticed the undersized fish were still alive. The individual was issued a citation for possession of flounder during closed season.
• Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and K-9 Officer Coker were conducting surveillance on a baited area at Econfina Wildlife Management Area. They had evidence of an individual hunting over bait in the WMA. The individual was bringing in bags of corn and acorns. He also removed all the branches from the tree he was hunting from so he could use his climbing stand. He was issued multiple citations and a warning. 
• Senior Officer Palmer and Officer Specialist Alsobrooks were conducting a boating safety inspection at Cherokee Landing. The individual operating the vessel had an active out-of-state warrant with full extradition. He was arrested and booked into the Bay County Jail. 

Escambia County

• Officer Bower was on patrol and received information from Officer Lugg that a subject was illegally spearfishing at the jetty. Officer Bower located the subject who was spearfishing and discovered he possessed one sheepshead. Other people in the area had already informed him that fishing in the area was prohibited. The subject was charged with spearfishing within 100 yards of a jetty and for failing to display a dive flag. 

Gulf County

• Master Officer M. Webb was working derelict vessels in storm affected areas. He observed a vessel with two subjects on board fishing close to shore. A resource inspection revealed the captain was in possession of six spotted seatrout, all of which were undersized.  A citation was issued for the violation. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Santa Rosa County

• Officer Brown conducted a hunter safety course, educating over 20 students about safe hunting practices. The course covered hunting laws and regulations, hunting seasons, hunting methods, reporting requirements, and licensing and permits. Officer Brown ensured all participants gained a comprehensive understanding of these subjects. In addition, he addressed numerous questions from the students and provided valuable instruction about responsible hunting practices, wildlife conservation, and safety, with the goal of promoting a safe hunting experience.

CASES

Citrus County

• Officer Gilbert responded to information about a possible bait site in Homosassa Wildlife Management Area with the assistance of Officer Jovanov. They located a subject with multiple bait sites on the WMA. The subject said he had not placed the bait in the WMA but admitted he was capable of seeing it on the ground around him. Officer Gilbert explained to the subject even if he wasn’t the individual who distributed the corn, he was still prohibited from hunting the area. Officer Gilbert addressed the violations.  
• Officer Balling observed a possible violation of illegal take of a mako shark posted on social media by a high-profile charter fishing guide.  As she initiated her investigation, she began noting discrepancies between the picture and the title that was posted.  Officer Balling and Officer Specialist Ulrich identified each person in the photo and conducted interviews with them. During the interviews the officers had reason to believe the subjects were not telling them the truth behind the picture and the harvest of a prohibited species. Officer Balling used the discrepancies she had previously noted and further questioned the subjects and they eventually admitted to the violations. Further witnesses also were identified.  Officer Balling and Officer Specialist Ulrich directly filed multiple criminal charges on the subjects through the state attorney’s office. 
• Officer Specialists Hughes and Ulrich received information and a photo about an individual hunting on a closed WMA. Officer Specialist Hughes arrived in the area shortly after another picture was sent of the subject in a tree stand at full draw with a compound bow and an antlered deer in his sites. The next few pictures of the subject were of him on the ground trying to locate the antlered deer he had just shot. Officer Specialist Hughes began a foot patrol to locate the subject and made it to the area just in time to hear the subject attempting to leave the area. Lieutenant Browning and Officer Specialist Ulrich soon arrived on scene to assist. Another recreational user was exiting the area during this time and had his vehicle parked close to the first subject’s vehicle, leading officers to believe they had been together. Officer Specialists Ulrich and Hughes began the investigation with that individual with a short conversation, which led to an admission that both he and his friend were hunting the WMA. The subject advised Officer Specialists Hughes and Ulrich that the other subject who was hunting was a short distance away hiding in the woods. Once the other subject was located, he also admitted to hunting the WMA. Multiple citations were issued for various WMA violations.  

Duval County

• Officer Goodfellow responded to a complaint from a private landowner with concerns of a subject trespassing on private property, illegally hunting, and tampering with hunting equipment and game cameras. Officer Goodfellow found signs of fresh blood and human tracks and then observed a subject carrying a shotgun. Officer Goodfellow questioned the subject, and he admitted to taking a deer while trespassing.  While the officer was securing the firearm and relaying the information to dispatch, the subject fled. Officer Goodfellow requested additional officers and K-9 for assistance. Lieutenants Gilmore and Givens and K-9 Handlers Gill and Yates arrived on scene to assist. Officers determined the subject had warrants out of Georgia, South Carolina, and Jacksonville and multiple felony convictions. K-9 Camo located the scent of the subject but was lost in the swamp. K-9 Harlow was able to track additional blood splatters, which were gathered for evidence along with the shotgun and round. Officer Goodfellow obtained arrest warrants on charges of trespass on property while armed, possession of a firearm by a felon, trespass by projectile, resisting without violence, willful wanton waste, no or expired hunting license, and illegal method of take.  
• Officer Schirbock observed three people fishing from a dock over the St. Johns River while patrolling in an unmarked patrol vehicle.  As he watched, one of the subjects caught a red drum that was over the legal-size limit. The subject gaffed the fish to get it up onto the dock, went to their truck to retrieve a cooler, put the fish in the cooler and took the cooler to their truck. The subject then moved their truck to the middle of the parking lot between other vehicles. The subject then went back to fishing and Officer Schirbock observed another oversized red drum being caught. The three subjects took the second oversized red drum to another vehicle. Officer Schirbock called Officer Tyler to assist. The officers stopped all the subjects to conduct a fisheries inspection and located the two illegal fish. Two subjects were issued citations for possession of oversized red drum. 
• Officer Schirbock received information that someone was trespassing, putting corn out on the ground and possibly hunting on private property. Officer Schirbock confirmed with the landowner that the person should not be on the property. Officers Austin, Russell and Sayne arrived at the location and found an unoccupied van parked on the property. While Officer Sayne stayed at the gate, Officers Austin and Russell located the subject coming out of the brush wearing camouflage and carrying a crossbow with a thermal scope. The subject told Officer Austin that he had been hunting for deer or wild hogs. It was confirmed the subject did not have permission to hunt the property, and he was arrested and booked into the Duval County jail on felony trespass with a dangerous weapon, hunting game after legal hunting hours and was also issued a citation for not having a hunting license.
• Officer Goodfellow was conducting fisheries inspections at Mayport Boat Ramp when she observed three subjects throwing a cast net from the docks. The three subjects had an open cooler on the dock next to them. As Officer Goodfellow approached, she heard people in the parking lot yelling at the people on the docks. One of the subjects picked up the cooler and attempted to dump it. Officer Goodfellow instructed him not to dump the cooler and he put it back down. However, another subject picked the cooler up and dumped it.  He was placed under arrest, charged with interfering with an FWC officer, and booked into Duval County jail.  

Levy County

• Officer Jones conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key. The individual stated he had caught some fish and kept them in a cooler. Officer Jones found four undersized spotted seatrout in the cooler.  The subject was issued a citation for taking undersized spotted seatrout.  
• Officer Jones conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key and discovered the subject had kept three bonnethead sharks. The daily bag limit for bonnethead sharks is one per person. The subject was issued a citation for taking over the bag limit of bonnethead sharks.  
• Officer Jones conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key. The subject stated he had kept mullet in a nearby bucket. Officer Jones’ inspection revealed two undersized sheepshead. The subject was issued a citation for taking undersized sheepshead.  
• Officer Fox conducted an inspection on an individual fishing near Cedar Key. Three red drum, two of which were undersized, were on the ground next to the subject. The subject had harvested over the daily bag limit, which is one red drum per person, and had harvested two undersized red drum.  The subject was issued a citation for taking undersized and over the bag limit of red drum.  

Nassau County

• Officer Culbreth was working a quota hunt in Cary State Forest and heard a gunshot fired nearby and responded to the location. Upon arrival, Officer Culbreth observed a truck and a subject departing the wooded area. The subject stated he had taken an antlered deer and requested assistance.  Officer Culbreth assisted in locating the deer and observed it did not meet antler point regulations. Officer Culbreth issued the subject notice to appear citations for taking an illegal deer and not meeting the minimum requirements for hunter orange. 

CASES

Brevard County

• Officer St. Martin responded to information regarding a subject in possession of an undersized snook at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Officer St. Martin located the subject and conducted a resource inspection. Initially, the subject admitted to catching snook but stated he released them. Further inspection of the subject’s cooler revealed he was still in possession of one undersized snook. The subject was cited accordingly.
• Officer St. Martin was on patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park when he observed several people cast netting along the mangroves. Officer St. Martin waited for the subjects to return to the parking lot. Once they did, he observed them quickly return to their vehicle and place their coolers and equipment in the back of it. At this time, Officer St. Martin contacted the subjects to conduct a resource inspection. The subjects told Officer St. Martin they only went for a swim. However, an inspection of the coolers they had just placed in their vehicle revealed an undersized stone crab in whole condition. The subjects were cited accordingly.

Marion County

• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officer Flynn discovered evidence of a subject possibly hunting during the closed season. He conducted surveillance of the area and located a subject hunting inside the WMA during the closed season. Appropriate citations were issued.
• Officers Constance and Aultman were made aware of a social media post depicting a harvested antlered deer taken from a local wildlife management area that did not appear to meet antler point regulations. After identifying the subject, the officers located him and conducted an interview. After their investigation, it was determined the subject had illegally harvested a deer that did not meet antler point regulations and failed to complete a harvest log. Appropriate citations were issued.
• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officer Constance discovered evidence of a subject possibly hunting during the closed season. He conducted surveillance of the area while waiting for the arrival of Officer Malicoat and K-9 Mako, who located a subject hunting inside the WMA during the closed season. Appropriate citations were issued.
• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officer Roberts discovered evidence of a subject possibly hunting during the closed season. He checked the area and observed a subject dressed in camo and carrying a muzzleloading gun, walking out of the woods. Officer Roberts contacted the subject and after an interview, it was determined the subject had been hunting in the WMA during the closed season. The subject was cited appropriately.
• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officers Lambert and Dykstra observed two subjects standing outside their truck holding what appeared to be handheld tracking devices. After contacting the individuals and conducting a resource investigation, it was determined the subjects had nine hunting dogs deployed and were running game, which is prohibited. Appropriate citations were issued.
• Several officers from Marion, Putnam, and Lake counties participated in a targeted enforcement detail along with FWC Aviation targeting illegal activity inside a local wildlife management area. Working together, officers were able to make two out-of-season cases involving running hunting dogs and one night hunting case.

Orange County

• Officer Easterbrook was checking hunters participating in a quota hunt for proper licenses and ensuring compliance with deer antler point regulations. The officer responded to a report of a truck parked on a fence line and boundary of the WMA. Officer Easterbrook waited in a concealed location and observed an individual illegally exit the WMA through the barbed wire fence. He approached the subject and issued him a notice to appear for illegal entry/exit into the WMA.

Osceola County

• Officer Crespi was on patrol in a wildlife management area when he was alerted to activity in an area closed to hunting. After contact was made and an interview was conducted, the subjects admitted they knew where they were and that they had illegally entered the area. A citation was issued for the offense.

St. Johns County

• Officers Harris and Lemaster were on patrol at Guana Dam when they observed a subject trespassing on the inside of the dam structure. While conducting a resource inspection they located an undersized red drum and the subject was fishing with no fishing license. The subject initially provided a false name but quickly corrected it and provided the correct name. The subject was issued citations accordingly.

CASES

Pinellas County

• Lieutenant Bibeau observed two individuals fishing from a rock jetty. He saw one of the individuals remove a small cobia from a cooler and pose for a picture prior to placing the cobia back in the cooler. The individuals then began packing up their belongings and started walking back to a parked vehicle. Lieutenant drove to their location and conducted a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, Lieutenant Bibeau located one undersized cobia, one undersized redfish, one undersized sheepshead and one undersized and out-of-season flounder. Lieutenant Bibeau issued one of the individuals a citation for harvesting an undersized cobia and the other individual was issued a citation for possession of an undersized redfish along with warnings for the remaining fisheries violations.
• Lieutenant Bibeau observed two individuals wade-fishing and waited for them to return to the shore before conducting a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, Lieutenant Bibeau located seven red drum, two of which were over the legal slot limit and issued both individuals a citation for harvesting over the daily bag-limit of red drum along with a warning for harvesting over-slot red drum.
• Lieutenant Bibeau observed two individuals fishing from a seawall. While he was conducting a fisheries inspection, one of the individuals advised they did not catch any fish, and didn’t have any fish with them. Lieutenant Bibeau observed fish inside a five-gallon bucket one of the individuals was sitting on. An inspection of the bucket revealed 11 undersized gray (mangrove) snapper and one undersized and out-of-season gag grouper. He questioned the individuals about the fisheries violations and one individual admitted to catching 10 of the undersized mangrove snappers while the other individual admitted to catching the gag grouper and the other undersized mangrove snapper. Lieutenant Bibeau issued one of the individuals a citation for harvesting an out-of-season and undersized gag grouper and the other individual was issued a citation for harvesting undersized and over the daily bag limit of mangrove snapper.  

CASES

Broward County

• Officers Olivera and Walcott responded to a boating accident in the Intracoastal Waterway north of Commercial Blvd. The initial reporting from the U.S. Coast Guard stated that two vessels were involved in a collision and several people were taken to different hospitals. Officer Hammad and Lieutenant McDonald obtained information and statements from the victims. Officers at the scene contacted the operator of the striking vessel for the purpose of a boating accident investigation. The boating accident investigation is ongoing. 
• Officer Willis observed several subjects violating the high-water emergency closure at the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area. The officer contacted the subjects to address the violation. While interacting with the subjects, Officer Willis saw two firearms in plain view inside of their vehicle. A records check revealed one of the firearms was reported stolen. Willis interviewed both subjects about the stolen firearm. Both subjects were charged for the violating the high-water closure. Stolen firearm charges are pending Fort Lauderdale Police Department investigation. 
• Officer Willis observed a subject operating a vehicle past the high-water emergency closure signs at Holey Land Wildlife Management Area. The officer stopped the vehicle for the purpose of investigating the violation. Willis contacted and issued the operator of the vehicle a notice to appear citation for the high-water closure violation.

Martin County

• Officer Landers saw two subjects each catch a snook and hide them in the rocks at the Stuart Causeway. He approached the subjects to address the violations. Neither subject could provide a valid fishing license and told Officer Landers they had not caught any fish. Officer Landers questioned the subjects and they led him to the fish hidden in the rocks. One snook was undersized and the other was within the legal slot limit. Officer Landers also learned one subject had a revoked driver’s license and fishing license. He was issued a citation for fishing with a revoked license and told not to drive due to the status of his driver’s license. The second subject was issued a citation for undersized snook and an infraction for no fishing license or snook stamp. Shortly after concluding the stop, Officer Landers witnessed the subject with the revoked license drive by him. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was arrested for knowingly driving on a suspended /revoked license.

Palm Beach County

• The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office contacted the FWC for assistance regarding a vehicle crash at the A-1 FEB Public Small Game Hunting Area. Officers Comartin and Rigali responded to the scene and saw a vehicle being pulled out of the water and put on a tow truck. Comartin contacted the driver of the vehicle and learned the driver was uninjured and was the only person inside of the vehicle. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office completed a vehicle crash report.  

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Palm Beach County

• Officers Lopez, Rigali, and Lieutenant Laubenberger responded to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office request for assistance in searching the beach area and surf line for a juvenile last seen in the surf. The officers searched several miles of the Gulfstream coastline using a utility task vehicle with negative results. Additionally, the U. S. Coast Guard searched from the air using a helicopter and C-130 aircraft with negative results. The search was called off and the juvenile remained missing. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Broward County

• Officers Hammad and Olivera participated in a public safety "Night Out" outreach event hosted by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. The officers showcased a patrol truck and airboat as a static display and had a live juvenile alligator for the public to see in a safe manner. The event was a tremendous success, giving FWC officers an opportunity to represent the FWC and engage with the community.