FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: Sept. 6-12

September 6, 2024, through September 12, 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

Escambia County

• Officers E. Burkhead and D. Hahr investigated a vessel accident in which two vessels had collided. One of the operators sustained serious injuries due to the collision. The other operator involved in the accident fled the scene without notifying any law enforcement agency or exchanging information with the other operator. A witness to the accident had video showing vessel registration numbers for the vessel that fled the scene. The FWC officers determined who the operator was as well as others on board the vessel. The operator and occupants were interviewed and the vessel damages were documented. An arrest warrant will be obtained for felony fleeing the scene of a boating accident resulting in damages over $2,000 and serious bodily injury. 

Franklin County

• Officer Stallings observed a vessel returning from offshore and conducted a resource inspection. During the resource inspection, the officer discovered multiple undersized, out-of-season red grouper. The operator was charged for the violations and issued the appropriate citations. 

Santa Rosa County

• Officer E. Burkhead and Investigator J. Pifer investigated a boating accident that occurred on Blackwater River. A witness reported a subject operating a vessel had collided with the river’s tree line causing the motor to be completely removed from the vessel. The witness rendered aid to the operator who was unconscious, as well as the occupant, who had sustained minor injuries. The witness stated the operator regained consciousness and became hostile and threatened witnesses to not call law enforcement. The operator then fled the scene of the boating accident. The officers located the vessel involved and the operator a few days after the accident. An arrest warrant will be obtained for fleeing the scene of a reportable boating accident. 
• Officer Bower and Lieutenant Corbin received information that undersized Spanish mackerel were being caught at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. The officers checked multiple anglers at the pier. The officers seized 18 undersized Spanish mackerel and issued three subjects notice to appear citations for the undersized fish. 

Walton County

• Officer Letcher and Lieutenant Tison were given information about individuals using an illegal gill net on Choctawhatchee Bay. The officers maintained surveillance on seven individuals then while conducting a fisheries inspection, they located a 599-square-foot monofilament gill net staked out 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 Matichek arrived to assist in the investigation. Multiple subjects were interviewed and admitted to using the illegal net. All seven individuals were arrested for felony charges of use of an illegal gill net and multiple additional misdemeanors. Walton County Sheriff’s Office assisted in transporting the subjects to the jail. 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

• Officer Brown taught a hunter safety course with over 35 students. He covered laws and regulations, focusing on key aspects such as hunting seasons, reporting requirements, and licensing. Officer Brown answered multiple questions and educated the students about responsible hunting practices, wildlife conservation, and safety.

CASES

Duval County

• Officers Kirkey and Yakel conducted a resource inspection on a vessel coming from the Atlantic Ocean near the Mayport Inlet of the St. Johns River. During the resource inspection, the officers identified a red snapper on board. The officers’ investigation determined the red snapper was caught in federal waters and was confirmed via the operator’s GPS tracks. The operator was issued a federal citation and will be forwarded to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for prosecution.  
• Senior Officer Stuhr was patrolling Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park due to reports about cast netting in the fish management area pond. Upon his arrival he noticed a subject throwing a cast net at the pond. The subject spotted the officer and dropped the cast net and began running toward the picnic area. Senior Officer Stuhr quickly drove to the area and found the subject out of breath and standing near a five-gallon bucket, which contained tilapia. The subject admitted to using the cast net to harvest the tilapia. Senior Officer Stuhr issued a notice to appear for use of prohibited gear in Hanna Park’s Fish Management Area. The subject was also cited for not having a freshwater fishing license.  
• Senior Officer Geib noticed an individual cast netting at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Fish anagement Area (FMA). The officer announced himself and conducted a fisheries inspection. The individual had several fish on the bank as well as a cooler full of different species of fish. The catch was inspected and there were two black bass and two redear sunfish, both freshwater gamefish.  Officer Geib explained to the individual it is prohibited to cast net in an FMA and it is also a violation to cast net freshwater game fish. State citations were issued to the individual.
• Senior Officer Stuhr was traveling on Wonderwood Drive when he noticed three individuals fishing a small feeder creek off the side of the road. Senior Officer Stuhr conducted a stop and discovered three red drum (redfish) in a cooler. Out of the three people, only one subject took responsibility for the three fish. Two of the red drum were undersized and having three in possession, the subject was over the daily bag limit of one red drum per harvester per day.  Senior Officer Stuhr issued a notice to appear for the violations. 
• Over a period of two days, FWC Officers Austin, Geib, Sayne, Schirbock, Tyler, Lieutenant Givens, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Special Agent from North Carolina, and U.S. Coast Guard Boarding Officers conducted inspections of three commercial fishing vessels (F/V) returning to the dock to offload their catch. 
  • During inspection of the first commercial F/V, it was discovered the vessel had no valid saltwater products license (SPL), which is required to possess and sell commercial quantities of saltwater products. It was also discovered the vessel possessed 289 pounds over the trip limit of 1,000 pounds of vermilion snapper, in which 20 of those fish were undersized. Citations were issued to the captain and crew of the fishing vessel for not having a valid SPL, possession of undersized vermilion snapper and for violation of the trip limit of vermilion snapper. All must appear in court. USCG boarding officers discovered violations related to the boating safety inspection they completed on the F/V, to include expired survival craft and expired emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).  
  • Inspection of the second commercial F/V revealed the vessel possessed 10 undersized vermilion snapper. The captain was issued citations for the violations and must appear in court. USCG boarding officers found violations related to the boating safety inspection to include, expired EPIRB, nonserviceable fire extinguisher and expired vessel inspection decal. 
  • Inspection of the third commercial F/V revealed the vessel possessed only five of the required 10 items of sea turtle excluder device gear, 104 undersized vermilion snapper, three undersized gray triggerfish and one undersize cobia. The vessel also had more than 1,100 pounds of vermilion snapper, exceeding the 1,000-pound trip limit. The fisheries violations will be submitted to NOAA for prosecution. In addition, USCG boarding officers found the vessel’s life raft inspection was expired. 
• Officer Tyler and Lieutenant Givens were conducting federal fisheries patrol when they observed a vessel sitting still in the water about nine miles east of Amelia Island State Park with people fishing. Officer Tyler conducted an inspection and observed a red snapper lying on the deck. Red snapper are closed in the federal waters of the South Atlantic and cannot be possessed. Citations were issued to occupants for the violations and the case will be submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for prosecution. 
• Officer Tyler and Lieutenant Givens were conducting federal fisheries patrol when they observed a fishing vessel returning to the dock. A vessel stop was initiated in the St. Johns River off Mayport boat ramp and Officer Tyler completed an inspection. Officer Tyler discovered the vessel was returning from a fishing trip in federal waters and the subjects possessed an undersized cobia. Citations were issued to occupants for the violation and the case will be submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for prosecution. 
• Officer Goodfellow responded to a residence in reference to a caged alligator. Upon arrival, Officer Goodfellow observed the caged alligator and investigated. The property owner admitting to catching the alligator by hook and line and placing it in a small cage.  State law was explained and the property owner was issued a citation for taking an alligator without a license or permit.  

Hamilton County

• Senior Officer Todd Nichols observed sign of an ATV recently entering an area closed to vehicles at Big Shoals State Park/Wildlife Management Area. Officer Nichols tracked the sign until he located the ATV and several bags of saw palmetto berries. The ATV had been covered with freshly cut palmetto fans to conceal its location. Officer Nichols hid near the ATV and after a short wait, two subjects approached. Officer Nichols took both subjects into custody and they were booked into the Hamilton County Jail for the illegal harvest of saw palmetto berries.

Madison County

• Officer Cody Clark was targeting illegal night hunting when he observed a vehicle traveling slow, displaying a spotlight. He watched the vehicle shine several groups of deer. The officer conducted a stop of the vehicle and discovered a loaded rifle and pistol in the passenger seat. Appropriate citations were issued for the violations.  

Nassau County

• Officer Moran was patrolling Big Talbot Island State Park when she noticed a vehicle pull into the parking lot just after closing. Officer Moran advised them the park was closed and the driver of the vehicle said they were there to pick up some people they dropped off earlier. Officer Moran began walking down the nature trail toward the beach to locate these individuals. She ran into them on the trail in possession of a five-gallon bucket filled with fish. Officer Moran escorted them to the parking lot where she investigated the contents of the bucket.  The officer discovered the subject to be in possession of two undersized black drum, one undersized red drum, one undersized black sea bass, and one undersized spotted seatrout.  Officer Moran issued a notice to appear for the violations.  
• Officer Jacobs was on federal water patrol when he observed a vessel fishing. He stopped the vessel and conducted a resource inspection.  When asked, the group stated they had caught gag grouper and a red drum (redfish). Officer Jacobs explained it is prohibited to possess red drum in federal waters and documented the violation.  The case will be turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  
• Offshore Patrol Vessel Fincat, crewed by Officer Dykstra and Lieutenant Willis, was on patrol in federal waters when they observed a vessel fishing.  As the officers approached, one of the subjects stated they had a gag grouper that was “questionable.”  Officer Dykstra boarded the vessel and measured the gag grouper and one was undersized. The subject was issued a federal citation and the case will be turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

CASES

Brevard County

• While on patrol, Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vehicle shining a light then turning off its lights at a wildlife management area. After watching for some time, the vehicle entered a closed area of the WMA, shined a light again, then quickly sped away. A stop was conducted to address being in a closed area. Lieutenant Lightsey discovered the operator was driving while license suspended with knowledge as well as being in the closed area of the WMA. A notice to appear and warnings were issued for the offenses.
• Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vehicle pulling a vessel shining a light along canals at a waterfowl management area. After observing the vehicle’s occupants hunting alligator, the vehicle entered a closed hunting area. The occupants shined their light along another waterway, which is closed to hunting. A resource inspection was conducted, and the subjects were found to be hunting out of area for alligator in two separate locations. A notice to appear was issued. 
• While on patrol, Officer St. Martin responded to a call from a source who stated a subject at Sebastian Inlet had just walked off the jetty with over-the-bag limit of black grouper and one that was undersized. Officer St. Martin waited near the subject’s vehicle and when the subject returned to his vehicle, another vehicle pulled up and the subject got inside. The subject was moving the illegal fish into this second vehicle. Officer Marshall arrived to assist and the officers conducted a resource inspection, which revealed one of the black grouper was still in the subject’s vehicle while the undersized black grouper had been moved to the second vehicle. The subject was cited accordingly.

Indian River County

• Officer Specialist Marroquin observed a subject catch a snook at Sebastian Inlet State Park. The subject stood around for several minutes before taking the snook to the parking lot. Once at his vehicle, Officer Marroquin contacted the individual and found him to be in possession of an undersized snook. While investigating that case, a cooler was observed and another undersized snook was found. A second subject arrived and claimed the snook. Both subjects were charged accordingly. 

Putnam County

• Officer Carroll was on patrol in the Bardin area when she observed what appeared to be hunters using dogs to pursue deer outside of the hunting season. Officer Specialist D. Dickson and Officers Hayden, Constance, Aultman and Lambert responded to assist. Upon further investigation, it was determined the dogs were actively pursuing deer on the property and information on their collars indicated they were registered as deer dogs. Appropriate charges were filed with the State Attorney’s Office for hunting during a closed season.
• Officer Galvan was on patrol around Murphy Creek Conservation Area when he encountered a boat and trailer with a large pile of trash discarded next to the road. Officer Galvan identified and located a subject and conducted an interview. The subject admitted to dumping the items, which were estimated to weigh over 1,500 pounds. The subject was charged with illegal dumping and was instructed to clean up the trash.
• Officer Hayden was on patrol around Orange Creek Recreation Area when she observed a vehicle without an access permit displayed. Upon conducting a resource inspection, it was determined a subject was fishing commercially for wild shiners. Commercial fishing is prohibited in the area and the subject was cited accordingly.

St. Johns County

• Senior Officer Thomas responded to a report of a subject who harvested snook out of season. Upon arrival on scene at Rattlesnake Island, she located a subject in possession of an undersized snook. She issued the subject citations for possession of out-of-season snook and undersized snook.
• While on water patrol, Senior Officer Thomas and Officer Specialist Lawrence checked a charter vessel that was fishing. Upon inspection, Officer Thomas located an oversized red drum. She issued the charter captain a citation for possession of oversized red drum.
• Senior Officer Thomas and the St. Johns Coastal Crew planned and executed a targeted enforcement detail around Matanzas Inlet with a focus on red drum violations coinciding with the mullet run. FWC officers from multiple squads participated. The collaboration resulted in 16 misdemeanors cases and numerous warnings being issued for bag limit, closed season, and size violations including red drum, seatrout, snook, and black drum. Thanks to the excellent teamwork and persistence of the St. Johns Coastal Crew, marine fisheries violators are being held accountable and the resource is being protected for future generations.

Marion County

• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officers Constance and Aultman observed a vehicle parked along a forest road with the door open. They stopped to investigate and found two individuals on foot nearby. After contacting them, they determined the subjects were engaged in the illegal removal of saw palmetto berries from the WMA. Both subjects were arrested and taken to jail on multiple charges.
• While patrolling a local wildlife management area, Officer Constance discovered signs of individuals possibly hunting with dogs out of season. After checking the area, he located a truck with dogs in a dog box parked along a forest road. The dogs were equipped with tracking collars and there was fresh sign on the ground. Officer Constance interviewed the subject, and he admitted to hunting with dogs out of season. Appropriate citations were issued.

Seminole County

• Officer Poley, Officer Hawks and Officer Specialist Fahnestock  were conducting resource inspections on anglers and hunters. Officer Poley conducted a resource and license inspection on an individual fishing with a cast net along an area off the St. John’s River. The officer discovered several different gamefish that were harvested by the cast net. Freshwater gamefish can only be harvested by rod and reel or hook and line. The illegally harvested game fish included black bass and several different species of panfish. Officer Poley issued the subject a notice to appear for the violation. 

Sumter County

• Officer Specialist Scrambling received information about a motorcycle operating in an area of Lake Panasoffkee Wildlife Management Area that was not designated for motor vehicle use. A wildlife technician warned the operator of the illegal use but the subject ignored the warning and continued to drive further into the management area. Officer Scrambling arrived on scene and contacted the subject. The subject became argumentative after Officer Scrambling explained the violation. Officer Scrambling issued the subject a notice to appear citation for operating a vehicle in an undesignated area on Southwest Florida Water Management District lands.

Volusia County

• Officer Specialist Rasey and Officer Stoker were on water patrol around New Smyrna Beach when they observed a personal watercraft violating a posted manatee slow speed zone. A vessel stop was conducted and it was determined the operator was visiting from Texas and he had rented the PWC in response to a social media advertisement. After a brief field interview, the manatee violation was addressed. A few days later, Officer Rasey conducted a follow up investigation with the owner of the PWC. After making contact and interviewing the vessel owner, it was determined the subject was operating as a livery, advertising and renting his PWC. The vessel owner did not have an active FWC livery permit, did not provide pre-ride instructions and was not able produce sufficient insurance required to operate a livery. All violations were addressed, and information was provided to the subject on how to lawfully operate a livery within the state.

CASES

Charlotte County

• Officer Russel responded to an anonymous tip, which led Officers Hardgrove and Kampmann to a local fishing spot, where they observed a subject catching and keeping red drum and putting them in the cooler in the back of a truck. The subject was issued citations for over the bag limit or red drum, oversized red drum and the major violation for having four red drum.

Manatee County

• Senior Officer Hinds stopped a subject who was fishing in the area of Palmetto. The resource inspection revealed the subject had caught and kept six undersized snook and several undersized gray (mangrove) snappers. The subject was issued a notice to appear in Manatee County Court for the violations.

CASES

Broward County

• Officer Willis found a social media post of an alligator hunter in the STA 3/4. In the video, the hunter legally caught an alligator but failed to immediately kill or release it. The hunter filmed himself and others with the live alligator, ultimately posting several pictures and videos to the Web. Willis’ investigation revealed the subject’s name and address, which was in Collier County. Willis contacted FWC Officers Aliff and Stearns in Collier County to interview the subject. The subject confessed to the violation and was issued a notice to appear citation for violating administrative code 68A-25.042(3)(d)1, alligators captured by snares, snatch hook must be released or killed immediately. 
• Officers Willis and Giani were patrolling STA 3/4 and conducted a resource inspection on two subjects who were hunting. Their investigation revealed the two subjects were hunting on the wrong dates and out of their designated area. The officers issued both subjects notice to appear citations for violating administrative code 68A-25.042(3)(b) Hunting the Wrong Date and a warning for Hunting Out of Area.
• Officer Willis was patrolling STA 3/4 and observed a group of subjects pull an alligator onto the levee. Willis contacted the subjects for the purpose of a resource inspection. His inspection revealed one of the subjects who helped in dispatching the alligator did not have an alligator trapping agent license. Willis issued the subject a notice to appear citation for violating State Statue 379.3751(1)(a) No Trapping Agent License. 
• Officers Bovee, Comartin and Rigali responded to the Fort Lauderdale Beach to assist Fort Lauderdale Police (FTLPD) officers. The driver operated his vehicle on the beach destroying multiple sea turtle nests. FWC officers arrived on scene and assisted FTLPD with the investigation. The driver was charged for molesting/destroying/disturbing sea turtles and nests. 
• Officer Comartin contacted a subject for the purpose of resource inspection at the Dania Beach Pier. His inspection revealed the subject was in possession of an undersized spinner shark. Comartin issued the subject a notice to appear citation for possession of an undersized spinner shark.
• Officers Willis and Giani were patrolling at A1-FEB and conducted a resource inspection on a subject who was fishing. Their inspection revealed the subject possessed two black bass over 16 inches. The officers issued the subject a notice to appear citation for violating administrative code 68A-23.005(6)(a). 
• Officers Dudas and Bruder conducted water patrol at Port Everglades when they received a call from Investigator Wright. Wright stopped a vessel that returned from the Bahamas at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park boat ramp. Dudas and Bruder arrived at the boat ramp and inspected the vessel, finding three bags of conch in the cooler. The operator was cited with a federal citation for the violation. 
• The Broward Sheriff office (BSO) received a call regarding shots fired in Weston along U.S. 27. Four subjects were observed shooting down a levee, before one of the subjects tossed a firearm in the water. BSO searched the area with their K-9 teams but did not locate the firearm. The following morning Officer Tarr and his K-9 partner Rambo arrived on scene to search for the firearm. While searching, K9 Rambo alerted in the water just off the levee. Officer Tarr recovered the firearm and turned it over to BSO. 

Glades County

• Officer Ciprich was patrolling near the rim canal of Lake Okeechobee when he observed a vehicle operating on a South Florida Water Management District levee that has signage stating no vehicles allowed. The subject was stopped and issued a citation for operating a vehicle in an unauthorized area of South Florida Water Management District lands. 
• Officer Ciprich was patrolling private property when he observed a vehicle come off a main road and onto the private property. The vehicle was stopped as the subjects did not have permission to be on the property. The subject was found to be driving while never having had a driver’s license issued to him. The subject was issued a notice to appear for driving a vehicle without having a valid driver’s license. He was also issued a warning for the trespass violation. 

Hendry County

• Officer Specialist Perez responded to numerous subjects illegally harvesting palmetto berries from the Okaloacoochee (OK) Slough WMA. Perez deployed his drone and was able to locate a campsite with numerous bags of illegally harvested palmetto berries.  The search for illegal harvesters is still ongoing.

Martin County

• While on patrol, Investigator Willems conducted a boating safety inspection on a vessel at the Jonathan Dickinson State Park boat ramp. The vessel’s registration showed the vessel was homemade. When the operator was asked about the vessel being homemade, the operator stated it had been refurbished from an old hull. The operator was cited for not having enough life jackets on board and was told he would be contacted at a later date about the vessel. A subsequent investigation revealed the vessel was not homemade and a warrant for perjury, title fraud, and no HIN attached was issued for the operator. The operator was booked in the Martin County jail. 
• Officer Landers was working surveillance on the west side of the Stuart Causeway when he saw an individual fishing. Officer Landers stopped the two individuals as they were leaving. Upon inspection, the officer found four out-of-season and oversized snook. The subject was booked into the Martin County Jail and charged with harvesting snook out of season, harvesting snook over 32 inches and harvesting over the bag limit of three snook.

Palm Beach County

• Officers Moss and Schroer were patrolling the Palm Beach Inlet and observed a vessel entering the inlet with multiple fishing rods. They initiated a stop on the vessel, which was returning from the Bahamas. The vessel had two egg-bearing lobster. The operator was cited with a federal citation for the violation. 
• Officers Brevik and Harris were on state land patrol in J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area working on a complaint of hunters illegally entering the WMA. Using night vision, Officer Brevik observed a subject in hunting gear exit the WMA from a posted nondesignated gate near the C-18 canal. Officer Brevik stopped the subject and issued him a notice to appear citation for illegal entry/exit into a WMA. 
• Officer Brevik was patrolling J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area when he observed two vehicles trail riding illegally near Trail 10. The officer stopped both vehicles about the violation and discovered one of them to have a recently suspended license. Officer Brevik continued to investigate the stop and discovered the driver with the suspended license also illegally attached an Ohio registration plate that was not assigned to that vehicle. Officer Brevik issued both drivers citations referencing operating vehicles in an unauthorized area. Officer Brevik additionally issued one driver two criminal traffic citations for attaching a vehicle tag not assigned and knowingly driving with a suspended license. 

St. Lucie County

• Officer Barghouty observed a vessel with two occupants approaching a boat ramp. As they docked, Officer Barghouty asked if they had caught anything. One subject answered they had a few fish.  A resource inspection was conducted and two buckets contained four porkfish, which are marine life and must be kept alive, and two undersized lane snapper. One subject admitted to catching the fish and it was also discovered he did not have a saltwater fishing license. A boating safety inspection revealed several violations as well. Several citations and warnings were issued. 
• Officer Castle observed four subjects cast netting saltwater fish at a local park. The subject advised the officer they had a few fish and an inspection revealed two tarpon. Through her investigation, Officer Castle determined which of the subjects had harvested the two fish. Tarpon is a catch and release, hook and line only fishery, and a specialty permit (tag) must be purchased to retain the fish. The subject was arrested and booked into jail for the violation.  
• Officer Koger responded to a report of an individual keeping undersized snook from the Intracoastal Waterway at Herman’s Bay Beach. The officer located an individual fishing who matched the description. The individual returned to his vehicle, retrieved a white plastic bag and was walking back toward the water. Officer Koger conducted a fisheries inspection finding a 23” snook inside the bag. Having been warned before for possession of undersized fish, Officer Koger issued the subject a citation for the violation.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

Broward County

• Officer Bovee was dispatched to Coral Springs regarding an individual who observed a gopher tortoise in the middle of a busy road and picked it up and called the FWC.  Officer Bovee took possession of the tortoise and searched the local area for a possible burrow with no luck. He contacted an FWC biologist and then relocated the gopher tortoise to appropriate habitat that was nearby.  

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Broward County

• Lieutenant Laubenberger, Officers Matthews and Stone participated in the Honor Flight ceremony as members of the Broward Police Multi Agency Honor Guard, at the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The Honor Flight’s return to Florida from Washington, D.C. had 75 veterans onboard. Veterans from the wars of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam were greeted at the terminal by thousands of patriots and well-wishers. The Honor Guard with national colors, accompanied by police pipes and drums, escorted the veterans through a secured terminal and a passage of cheering people.

CASES

Collier County

• Officer Yurewitch and Officer Delgado conducted offshore patrols aboard the offshore patrol vessel Gulf Ranger with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration enforcement officers. During the multi-day patrol, officers looked for violations pertaining to illegal charters and inspected several vessels. They uncovered multiple violations pertaining to reef fish size limits, gear requirements and federal licensing requirements. All violations were addressed accordingly. 
• Officer Specialist Yurewitch conducted fisheries inspections at the Chokoloskee Causeways near Everglades City. During his inspections, he located an individual who possessed an undersized red drum and three undersized gray (mangrove) snapper. Office Yurewitch cited the individual accordingly. 
• While on patrol on the Offshore Patrol Vessel Fearless, Officers Montero and Espinosa observed a vessel returning from offshore through Fisherman’s Channel. Officers began a fisheries inspection and the captain stated they were returning from the Bahamas and were in possession of around 52 snapper, placing them 31 demersal fish over the allowed Bahamian limit. The violations were documented for a violation of the Lacey Act and forwarded to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
• Officers Stearns and Parlapiano observed an individual put a snook in a bucket and conducted a fisheries inspection on a group of people fishing at Bayview Boat Ramp. During the inspection, they found the snook, which was out of season and undersized. The individual who caught the snook also did not have a fishing license or snook permit. All the violations were cited accordingly. 

Miami-Dade County

• While on patrol on the Offshore Patrol Vessel Fearless, Officers Espinosa and Montero observed two individuals fishing in the southern portion of the Dinner Key anchorage. Upon initial contact they stated they had a few barracudas and a few other fish. Upon further inspection of the cooler and vessel, the officers found both individuals in possession of nine seatrout, eight of which were undersized. Both individuals claimed the seatrout and were cited for over the bag and undersized seatrout. 
• Officer Martinez stopped a vessel at Matheson Hammock and conducted a resource inspection. When asked if they had any resource on board, only one yellowtail snapper was mentioned. After a search of the vessel, Officer Martinez located two undersized and speared lobster and one undersized yellowtail snapper. A vessel inspection revealed expired flares, no registration, and no throwable type IV device. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken.
• Officer Gutierrez stopped a vessel in Government Cut and conducted a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the subject to in possession of one undersized hogfish that was caught on hook and line. The subject also did not have a descending device. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken.

Monroe County

• Investigators Chris Mattson and Oscar Saavedra were on state water patrol when they observed four recreational stone crab traps inside a No Motor Zone area near Tavernier Key. The investigators pulled the traps and identified the owner. Investigator Mattson issued a citation to the trap owner for leaving the traps in the water past the end of season. 
• Investigators Chris Mattson and Oscar Saavedra responded to a tip about a commercial fishing vessel fishing with buoys that were unmarked on lobster traps. The investigators went out to the ocean side of Tavernier and located the traps. The investigators found that 33 of 37 traps did not have the commercial “C” denomination number as required by law. Investigators Mattson and Saavedra met with the trap owner, who admitted he had been fishing with unmarked buoys and claimed that he “didn’t know.” The subject was arrested and booked into Plantation Key Jail on 33 counts of fishing with unmarked traps.  

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

• Officer Yurewitch and Lieutenant Knutson participated in the Naples Take A Soldier Fishing tournament –using the offshore patrol vessel Gulf Ranger. During the outreach event the officers showcased the OPV platform, discussed federal fisheries, and highlighted the Joint Enforcement Agreement. The officers reached approximately 500 people. 

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

• Officer Christian Ross responded to a call involving an injured sea turtle in Jewfish Basin in Boca Chica.  Along with a good Samaritan, Officer Ross brought the injured turtle to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. At over 300 pounds, it was the largest turtle ever admitted to the hospital.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

• Officers Yurewitch and Espinosa along with Lieutenant Knutson responded to an overdue vessel offshore of Naples. The officers used the offshore patrol vessel Gulf Ranger to locate the overdue vessel. They found the subjects to be in good health despite rough sea conditions. Officers made sure they had a safe return.
• Officers Yurewitch and Espinosa along with Lieutenant Knutson responded to a capsized vessel with one individual missing six miles southwest of Sanibel. The officers responded in the offshore patrol vessel Gulf Ranger to assist in the search. The Gulf Ranger searched over eight square miles over the course of seven hours and were unable to locate the individual. Lee County FWC, U.S. Coast Guard, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire Rescue and Cape Coral Police Department also assisted in the search. Cape Coral PD is the lead on the investigation.
• A search and rescue took place in Picayune Strand State Forest for a missing individual. Officer Reams responded to a report from the public about a vehicle stuck in the forest in about 3 feet of water. Due to it belonging to a missing person, he advised Lieutenant Knutson who notified the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and coordinated with FWC K-9, Florida Forestry, CCSO Ag and CCSO Aviation to begin the search around the vehicle. The search was continued with a joint Incident Command Post with CCSO, Florida Forestry, Peace River Search and Rescue, Collier Emergency Medical Services, Greater Naples Fire Rescue, North Collier Fire & Rescue, Marco Fire and the FWC. The search lasted 10 days with over 2,000 hours of first responders searching for the individual. FW officers involved in the search included, Reams, Wagner (K-9 Sue), Aliff, Jackson, Delgado, Parlapiano, Thurkettle, Osorio, Pierre-Louis, Investigator Rubenstein, Lieutenants Mahoney and Knutson and Capt. Yanez. On the final day of searching, Wagner, Pierre-Louis, and Rubenstein located the remains of an individual matching the description of the person being searched for. Collier County detectives confirmed the decedent was the missing person.