NORTHWEST REGION
BAY COUNTY
Officer Brady was on water patrol in St. Andrews Pass when he observed two rental PWCs whose operators weren’t wearing the required personal floatation devices (PFDs). The two PWCs were stopped and the operators said they knew they were supposed to be wearing PFDs, but the vendor didn’t give them any to wear. Officer Brady gave the operators PFDs to wear and followed them back to the rental stand where the vendor said he just forgot to give them the PFDs. Citations were issued for the violations.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when he observed a man and woman, along with three juveniles, preparing to leave the recreation area known as Fillingim Landing. He observed both persons drinking alcoholic beverages and both appeared to be very intoxicated. After returning to his truck, he observed the woman driving out and stopped her just out of the parking lot. He observed strong signs of impairment and the woman refused to do any sobriety tasks. Lieutenant Hahr asked her for a driver license and she told him that she did not have one. Meanwhile, the other subject, despite seeing Lieutenant Hahr talking to his girlfriend, got into his truck and prepared to leave the area. Lieutenant Hahr stopped him and determined that he was also impaired. Both subjects were arrested for DUI and the woman was also charged with driving without a driver license. The woman provided a breath sample of .165 and the man provided a breath sample of .205.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officers Corbin and Molnar conducted a vessel stop for careless operation. Upon investigation, it was determined there were two separate operators of the vessel. One of the subjects showed multiple signs of impairment. When asked, the subject refused to perform field sobriety tasks. Based on the observed indicators of impairment, Officer Molnar arrested the subject for BUI. The subject refused to provide a breath sample and was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail.
Officer Hutchinson responded to a complaint from Northwest Florida Water Management District personnel regarding a truck stuck in a wetlands area in the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. He located the truck and contacted the owner. When the owner arrived at the scene, he was riding with a friend that had a suspended driver license. The stranded truck had a license plate attached that was not assigned and the damage done to the wetlands was substantial. The owner of the truck was charged with damaging state lands with a motor vehicle and attaching a tag not assigned. The other man was charged with driving on a suspended driver license.
While in the same area, Officer Hutchinson was directed to a fresh pile of garbage within the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. He located several items of trash with the owner’s name and made contact with the woman. She admitted to dumping the trash to clean out her truck and was charged with criminal littering (over 15 pounds). The trash was removed and weighed 92 pounds.
Officers Corbin and Molnar conducted a vessel stop for failure to display an all-around white stern light. Upon investigation, the operator was showing signs of impairment. When asked, the subject admitted to drinking alcohol and taking prescription drugs throughout the day. The subject refused to perform field sobriety tasks. Officer Molnar arrested the subject for BUI based on his observations. The subject was charged with BUI and refusal to submit. A citation for failure to display required navigational lights and expired registration certificate was also issued. The subject was transported and booked into Okaloosa County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
FWC officers received a report of two paddle boarders who were being harassed by two individuals on a vessel in the area of Navarre Beach, Santa Rosa Sound. It was reported that the operator of the vessel intentionally circled the victims, knocking them off of their paddle boards. While the victims were in the water, the vessel struck one of the paddle boards causing damage to the board. Officers Livesay, Tolbert, Jones, Miller, and Investigator Schafer responded to the area of the hit and run. After a brief search of the area, officers located a vessel and two subjects onboard who matched the description. The victims were interviewed along with eyewitnesses and it was confirmed that the officers had the correct suspects. One of the victims received minor injuries and was treated by EMS and released. The operator of the vessel was arrested and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail for aggravated battery. The passenger on the vessel was interviewed and released.
WALTON COUNTY
Investigator Armstrong and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office have been gathering intelligence on a group of subjects who were possibly involved in drug activity aboard a vessel. Information was relayed that the subjects were aboard the vessel. Officers Corbin and Molnar located the vessel underway flounder gigging with three persons onboard. Upon inspection, one subject was found to be in possession of a glass smoking device, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, and various items of drug paraphernalia. Another subject was found to be in possession of 4.3 grams of methamphetamine, 5.2 grams of cannabis, hydromorphone pill and drug paraphernalia. One subject was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. The other subject was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, possession of controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects were transported to the Walton County Jail.
NORTHEAST REGION
SEMINOLE COUNTY
While on water patrol on the St. John’s River near the I-4 Bridge, Officer Sapp stopped a vessel for failure to display navigational lights. During the stop, Officer Sapp observed signs that the adult male operator might be impaired. Seated sobriety tasks were conducted and the subject was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. He agreed to provide a breath test and the results were .125 G/210L and .135 G/210L respectively. The subject was transported to the county jail.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Baer stopped a truck pulling a trailer loaded with more than 25 waste tires that did not display a waste tire registration decal. The driver indicated that he knew his truck was supposed to display a decal when hauling waste tires. He claimed to be working for his father, but could not provide any proof of either of them being a licensed waste tire hauler. A notice to appear was issued for the criminal violation.
Officers North and Chriest were checking recreational fishers at Bulow Creek State Park, when they observed a smoking pipe in plain view next to a female. She claimed the pipe and turned over a small baggie of marijuana to the officers. She was issued a notice to appear for the violations.
BREVARD COUNTY
Officer Humphrey conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a recreational vessel with three people on board. As she approached the vessel an individual began throwing fish overboard. An inspection of the vessel revealed a total of 31 undersized spotted sea trout including three which were thrown overboard. The captain of the vessel was cited for the possession of undersized spotted sea trout and for being over the daily bag limit.
Officer Humphrey conducted a marine fisheries inspection on two subjects fishing Haulover Canal. When asked if the subjects did any good they said no. Further investigation revealed a goliath grouper inside of a plastic bag near the subject’s fishing tackle. The subject who caught the grouper was cited for the violation.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
While removing hyacinths in a pond near Kenansville, a man was bitten by a large alligator in the left thigh. The man suffered a large laceration to his thigh along with several puncture wounds. He was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center for treatment. Investigator Trusley and Officer Cybula responded to investigate the incident. A state contracted trapper removed two alligators from the pond one measured 11 feet while the second was 8.5 feet in length.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Officer Johnston and Investigator Bembry were on foot patrol at the Alligator Lake Fish Management Area conducting resource inspections on a group of individuals fishing at the lake. One of the subjects started making furtive movements as the officers approached his location. He was carrying a fishing pole and backpack and dropped something on the ground as the officers approached him. When the officers asked about the presence of fish in his backpack he became very agitated and verbally aggressive. He had to be calmed down by both officers. He was exhibiting a variety of indicators hinting towards the possibility that narcotics were likely in the backpack or on his person. After a brief investigation, the subject was found to be in possession of a glass meth pipe containing narcotic residue along with other articles of drug paraphernalia. The residue in the glass pipe tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Officer Johnston and Investigator Bembry transported the subject to the Columbia County Jail where he was booked for the possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The subject stated post Miranda that he thought the pipe contained the new synthetic narcotic, “Anna”, which is said to be stronger than meth.
DUVAL COUNTY
The patrol vessel Sentinel, along with another vessel, responded to a call of a man drifting up the Intra-Coastal Waterway on top of an over-turned dingy shortly after midnight, south of the St. Johns River. From the Sentinel, Lieutenant Givens spotted the man clinging to the vessel and directed the smaller boat to a position where Officer Christmas could lift the exhausted man safely onto the FWC vessel. The man stated that he was assisting a disabled sailboat at sunset when his nine-foot tender flipped over and the current started carrying him north. The 75 year-old man was in the water for three hours, but recovered quickly and was transported back to his dock. The disabled sailboat was found abandoned on a mud flat a short time later.
SOUTHWEST REGION
LEE COUNTY
Officers Morrow and Thompson were dispatched to Blind Pass on Sanibel Island to investigate the report of several men catching snook from a dock and placing them into a cooler. The complaint was called in by a Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy who was on-scene, watching the three men fishing from a concealed position. When the officers arrived on scene, the subjects were located at the rear of a private residence and were being questioned by the deputy as to whether or not they had permission to be fishing from a private residential dock. During the investigation, the subjects advised the deputy earlier that they had not caught anything; however, a closer inspection of the cooler revealed eleven snook ranging in sizes from 18 ½” to 29”. All three subjects admitted to catching the fish and knew they were out of season. They were each issued three misdemeanor citations for the following violations: possessing snook out of season, possession of undersized snook and over the bag limit of snook. The snook season is closed from May 1st through August 31st on the Gulf side and anglers are only permitted to possess 1 per day while in season.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
Investigator Corteguera and Officer Delatorre observed two males fishing on the Dania Beach Blvd Bridge and the ICW. Upon contact one of the males was in possession of eight undersized gray snapper and one undersized schoolmaster snapper. Officer Delatorre was able to release six of the snappers that were still alive back into the ICW. The subject was charged with possession of undersized gray snapper, over the bag limit for gray snapper and possession of undersized schoolmaster snapper. Both subjects were written warnings for saltwater fishing licenses not in possession.
Officers Delatorre and Ryan observed a suspicious vehicle in a remote area just outside of Markham Park. A records check revealed the vehicle to be stolen and the officers began to search the area for suspects. While driving around a nearby lake, a juvenile female was observed hiding in the bushes. While interviewing the female the officers observed the stolen vehicle in motion coming toward their location. A juvenile male evaded from the officers in the stolen vehicle and then on foot. After a short foot pursuit the juvenile was apprehended by Officer Delatorre and charged with grand theft and resisting without violence. The vehicle was cleared and returned to the owner later that night.
Officer Strader was on water patrol offshore of Dania Beach. He observed an individual snorkeling with a dive flag. He approached the person and saw he had a spear gun. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection. The individual was found to possess four dead spiny lobster. Mini –Season was still a day away. With this information the individual was issued a criminal notice to appear for possession of spiny lobster out of season. Four spiny lobster were seized as evidence
Officers Vacin and Matthews were on water patrol at the 15 Street Boat Ramp in Ft. Lauderdale. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a vessel that had pulled into the boat ramp. Pursuant to the inspection, one individual onboard was issued a criminal notice to appear for possession of egg-bearing spiny lobster. One egg-bearing spiny was released back to the water alive.
Officers Brock and Tarr were called to the Hillsboro Inlet by the US Coast Guard. A vessel the USCG had stopped was in possession of egg-bearing spiny lobster. The officers arrived on scene and took over the case from the Coast Guard. With information gathered Office Brock issued one individual a criminal notice to appear for possession of egg-bearing spiny lobster. One egg-bearing spiny lobster was released back to the water alive.
Officers Warne and Coker were on patrol in Port Everglades. They conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a vessel inside the port. With information gathered, one individual was issued a criminal notice to appear for possession of undersize spiny lobster. Spiny lobster was released back to the water alive.
Officers Warne and Coker responded to a residence in Pompano Beach in reference to an alligator complaint. They arrived on scene and talked with an individual. The person stated she found a small alligator in her sunroom. The officers took the alligator and released it into the Everglades.
Investigator Teems conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle inside John Lloyd State Park. With information gathered from the stop, the driver was issued numerous citations to include driving on a suspended license, no insurance and a criminal appearance for petit-theft. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Officers Vacin and Matthews were on land patrol in western Broward County. They observed a vessel pull into one of the boat ramps on US 27. They conducted boating safety and freshwater fisheries inspection on the vessel. There were four people on the vessel. Pursuant to the inspection the vessel was found to contain 34 black bass. With this information, Officer Vacin issued each individual a criminal notice to appear for possession of over the bag limit of black bass.
Officers Brock and Tarr were on water patrol in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. They conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a beach diver. The individual was found to be in possession of one egg-bearing lobster. Officer Tarr issued the individual a criminal notice to appear for possession of an egg-bearing female lobster. The lobster was still alive and able to be released back to the water alive.
Officers Warne and Coker responded to the Pompano Pier in reference to a trespass call. They observed two individuals on the Pompano Pier that were known to have a trespass warning in the system. Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene as well and produced the previous trespass notice the individuals had received. With this information, the two individuals were cited for the criminal charge of trespass after warning.
While on land patrol in Fort Lauderdale Officers Mirabal, Albert and Moore were approached by a local restaurant owner who stated a white male had just run naked through the parking lot. The officers searched the area and found a subject matching the description hiding behind a dumpster. The subject complied with the officers demands and came out from behind the dumpster. He was then handcuffed for safety while the officers checked him for wants and warrants. The subject was clear and was released without incident.
While on water patrol, offshore near the Pompano Pier Officer J. Wright stopped a kayaker that had been fishing. The kayaker was in possession of several species of fish that were legal and he also had a speared lobster out of season. The subject was cited for illegal method of harvesting spiny lobster, since spearing is illegal and harvesting out of season. The speared lobster was seized as evidence.
Officer Sullivan was working with USCG station Ft. Lauderdale on a USCG vessel when they observed a vessel coming into Port Everglades Inlet with a dive flag still displayed. A boating safety inspection revealed that the vessel registration was expired and they did not have a sufficient number of life jackets onboard the vessel. During a marine fisheries inspection, Officer Sullivan observed an egg bearing lobster. They were issued a citation for the egg bearing lobster and warnings for the boating safety violations. The lobster was able to be returned to the water alive.
Investigator Corteguera completed an investigation with assistance from Officers Delatorre, Vacin and Defeo in reference to a fox bite complaint which occurred at a Broward County PetSmart. The fox owner did not possess a license for the animal. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was found that Underground Reptiles in Deerfield Beach sold three foxes and one Kinkajou to four different unpermitted individuals. The owner of Underground Reptiles was written a criminal citation for the unlawful sale of wildlife to unpermitted entities within Florida and warnings were issued to the owners of the animals in reference to possession of class 3 wildlife without a permit.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
Physical assessments were held for new applicants. Those that passed will proceed to interviews in Tallahassee August 17th through the 21st.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Friday afternoon FWC learned of two overdue teenage boaters off Jupiter. That evening and all day Saturday numerous FWC officers patrolled nearshore/offshore in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties along with the USCG, local law enforcement, and civilian volunteers. The search and rescue is ongoing at this time.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
A search was initiated when information was received reference a subject on a paddle board that was missing. The subject’s vehicle was found at a local beach access. Information received indicated that the subject took the paddle board out some time in the afternoon on Friday just before a severe thunderstorms struck the area. The paddle board was located the next day by a fisherman on a boat. No further information is available at this time.
SOUTH REGION B
MONROE COUNTY
Officer Hein received information that fishermen on board a vessel that was launching from the Matecumbe area were keeping undersized fish. According to the tipster, the fishermen were warned by local citizens and even educated as to the right measurements for the said fish. Officer Hein hid in a strategic location and waited for the fishermen to return. Several hours later a fishing vessel fitting the description of the vessel in question motored to dock. Officer Hein approached the vessel and conducted a boating safety inspection as well as a fisheries inspection. As a result, the captain of the vessel was found to be in possession of 2 undersized tripletail, 8 undersized dolphin and 14 undersized gray triggerfish. The Captain was placed under arrest and transported to a jail.
Officer Foell responded to a report of three subjects diving without a dive flag in a neighborhood in the Lower Keys. Officer Foell, who was patrolling in plain clothes, responded to the scene and began observing the three subjects diving. Officer Foell watched the subjects for approximately one hour. Officer Foell saw the subjects exit the water holding what appeared to be a large spiny lobster. The subjects then got on their bicycles and began peddling away. Officer Foell displayed his badge and announced himself as an Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and asked the subjects to place their items on the ground. The subjects were identified as three juveniles and were found to be in possession of one speared spiny lobster, a pole spear and spear gun. After Miranda, one of the subjects admitted to spearing the lobster with the spear gun. The subject’s parents were notified and the subject was cited for spearing a spiny lobster out of season.
Officer Bulger and Foell were on water patrol in Boca Chica channel, when they stopped a vessel for a boating safety and resource inspection. As the officers approached the boat they observed two subjects aboard. The captain of the vessel appeared disoriented and confused while the passenger was being loud and challenging to the officers, repeatedly questioning why they were being stopped. Both officers detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage as they tied off to the vessel. The officers had to repeatedly ask the captain for his registration and identification. For their own safety and that of the boaters, the officers made the decision to tow the vessel into Key West Harbor Marina to continue their inspection and BUI investigation. While entering the marina the passenger became more agitated and began to swear at the officers and to make numerous racial slurs. Once at the dock the officers were joined by a deputy from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The captain was seated on the dock to perform SFST’s and it was determined that he was impaired and placed under arrest. While attempting to assist the passenger to find a ride from the marina, the passenger shouted at Officer Bulger that “I will punch you in the face!” At which time he was placed under arrest by MCSO for assault on a law enforcement officer. Their vessel was turned over to Towboat US for secure storage and both subjects were transported to the Monroe County Jail.
Officers Plussa and Hein were on water patrol when they spotted a boat with a dive flag displayed and no one in the water. As officers approached, the operator left the controls of his vessel and began throwing fish from his live well into the ocean. Once alongside, the officers conducted a boating safety and fisheries inspection. The suspect was found to be in possession of six undersized lane snapper and six undersized mangrove snapper in addition to multiple safety violations. Officers returned the fish back to the resource alive and unharmed. The subject was cited accordingly.
Officer Wagner was on land patrol in the area west of No Name Key Bridge when he noticed a gentleman cleaning fish next to his docked vessel. Officer Wagner asked the captain, if he had any more fish which he replied “yes”. The subject gave Officer Wagner consent to search the cooler on his vessel. The cooler contained 27 undersized dolphin. He was cited accordingly.
Officers Plussa and Mattson were on water patrol in Tavernier Creek conducting a vessel inspection with two elderly gentlemen in their nineties. A skiff operated by two juveniles, ignored the officers’ emergency lights and sped by very close to the stopped vessels, causing them to rock severely. Officers Plussa and Mattson terminated their original stop and pursued the reckless boat, stopping it a short distance away. In addition to the original carless operation and a series of registration violations, the juveniles were found to be in possession of multiple hogfish filets that were not in whole condition and spearfishing gear in the Upper Keys, both of which are criminal violations. Due to their cooperation, the boys were released to their guardians and cited accordingly.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officers Dube, Schroth, Rafter and Baumgartner along with staff from the Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Division of Marine Fisheries from Tallahassee manned the FWC’s Lobster Information Booth in Key Largo. The staff distributed information pertaining to the Lobster Mini Season to an estimated 800 fishermen that visited the booth.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Law Enforcement weekly report