This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
NORTHWEST REGION
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Manning, Barnard and Pettey worked information they received about an individual trespassing and hunting on private property. After several days of working the information, they discovered the suspect’s car in the area. The officers staged around the area and Officer Manning stopped the individual as he was leaving. Officer Manning spoke to the individual and he claimed to have permission to hunt on an adjacent property. Officer Manning discovered the subject had an active warrant for his arrest and that he was driving on a suspended license. While speaking to the subject, he admitted to being a convicted felon. He said that he knew he wasn’t supposed to possess firearms but just could not help it because he liked to hunt too much. Officer Manning confirmed the subject was a convicted felon and seized the three firearms in his possession. Officer Manning arrested and transported the subject to the Escambia County Jail. In addition to the active warrant, the subject was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, knowingly driving on a suspended license and hunting without a license.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Officers Nelson and Stephens were working in the ApalachicolaBay area and observed a commercial oyster vessel divert and avoid bringing their vessel and catch to the commercial harvest check station. The officers followed the vessel and later stopped it in order to conduct a boating safety and resource inspection. The officers located hidden bags of oysters in a compartment. The inspections resulted in untagged oysters, 80% of which were undersized and in contact with bilge water. Appropriate charges and warnings were levied and the oysters were returned to the area bay alive.
LEON COUNTY
Officer Nelson was on patrol in the ApalachicolaNational Forest when he observed a group of hunters in the Smith Creek area. As he observed the group from his unmarked patrol vehicle, one of the hunters walked down the road away from the group and retrieved a shotgun that was hidden in the bushes and walked back to the group. Officer Nelson checked the group’s licenses and checked the rights to possess a firearm of the hunter who retrieved the hidden firearm. The criminal check resulted in felony convictions and his loss of rights to possess the firearm. Subsequent charges are being filed for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Bartlett and Lieutenant Clark were on vessel patrol conducting boating safety and state fisheries inspections. While at the Cinco Bayou Boat Ramp, Officer Bartlett observed a vessel returning to the boat ramp. During the safety inspection, Officer Bartlett determined the vessel was returning from a fishing trip. The fisheries inspection revealed that the operator was in possession of eight red drum, seven of which were undersized. The operator was cited for a major violation and issued citations for possession of over the bag limit and undersized red drum.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Santa RosaCounty officers conducted a detail in conjunction with the Aviation Section targeting illegal night hunting. Aviation personnel contacted Officer P. Rockwell when they spotted a vehicle shining a light in an open field in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. The aviation personnel provided Officer Rockwell the necessary coordinates to intersect and stop the vehicle. During the stop, a loaded shotgun with a chambered round and a spotlight were discovered. The driver and passenger were issued a citation for attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light.
During the fall dog training season on the Eglin Reservation Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Officer Jones received a complaint from a citizen stating that an individual stole his hunting dog. An investigation conducted by Officers Jones and Tolbert indicated the following events. The complainant and his companions encountered an individual who had a dog in his vehicle that appeared to be a dog owned by the complainant. At about the same time, they saw the individual throw something into the woods and then drive away. They went to the location and found a dog identification collar belonging to the complainant. The complainant followed and confronted the individual and retrieved the dog. Later in the day, a radio tracking collar that had been used on the same dog was found in the woods at the same location as the identification collar. The collars had been cut. Several witnesses were interviewed and gave sworn statements including the suspect. An arrest warrant was obtained charging the suspect with grand theft.
Officer Jones was on foot patrol in the Eglin Reservation WMA near the Okaloosa/Santa Rosa County line. He made contact with a hunter in a tree stand who was hunting with archery gear. Officer Jones also found feed distributed on the ground near the stand. There was no open hunting season on Eglin at that time. Officer Jones charged the hunter with hunting during closed season, hunting over bait and possession of marijuana. The hunter’s hunting equipment was seized as evidence. Eglin Range Patrol rescinded his Eglin privileges.
Multiple officers from Escambia and Santa RosaCounty focused on the opening of the second phase of waterfowl season. Officers utilized Division aircraft and vessels to locate hunters. During the detail, multiple violations were addressed to include taking migratory birds with the use of an unplugged gun, no hunting license, no federal duck stamp and other permit violations.
WAKULLA COUNTY
After completing a nighttime search and rescue mission, Lieutenants Marlow and Harvey noticed an airboat operating on the back side of some islands. They made their way to the vessel and noticed they were using gigs. They were observed gigging a fish and placing it on the deck of the vessel. After approaching the vessel, they observed an undersized red drum and a legal length red drum on the deck. Further inspection revealed six more red drum located in a cooler. All of the fish showed evidence of being gigged and four were undersized. Citations and warnings were issued to the occupants for undersized red drum, over the bag limit and unlawful method of harvest.
Officers Raker and Robb were working duck hunting and observed a vessel operate past them with three occupants. As they went by, they pointed, shouted something about ducks and proceeded into the restricted waters of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The officers observed their actions of taking ducks in the restricted area, taking ducks after legal harvest times and chasing and shooting ducks from a moving vessel. Officers Stephens and Nelson arrived on scene to assist. The officers approached the vessel and located drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain sight. Charges and warnings were levied against the individuals for the violations.
Officers Raker and Robb were working in the LevyBay area and observed a vessel operating without the required navigational lights. They stopped the vessel and observed indicators of possible impairment from the operator. They also observed an opened bottle of alcoholic beverage on the vessel. Subsequent observations and field sobriety tasks of the operator showed significant signs of impairment. The operator also admitted to consuming multiple types of alcoholic beverages. He was arrested and transported to Wakulla County Jail for BUI, where he provided alcoholic breath samples over the legal limit.
WALTON COUNTY
Officer Brooks observed a subject hunting from a tree stand on Choctawhatchee WMA that was near bait that had been placed around the stand. The subject admitted to placing the bait around the stand and was cited for hunting over bait in a management area.
NORTHEAST REGION
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Officer West was on water patrol near Ponce Inlet Saturday night when he observed a vessel operating without the required navigational lights. After stopping the vessel and addressing the vessel’s required safety equipment, the adult male operator was subsequently arrested for Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and booked into the branch jail.
Lieutenant Baer was on patrol when he encountered two hunters sitting on the edge of a powerline in Tiger Bay WMA. One of the hunters was not wearing blaze orange. As soon as the hunters saw Lieutenant Baer they laid down their firearms and rushed to the powerlines to meet him. Lieutenant Baer explained that he would need to inspect their firearms and the area they were hunting. One of the hunters then said, “I need to let you know that someone scattered corn out all over the powerlines but it wasn’t us.” Lieutenant Baer located corn on the ground within 10 yards of where the hunters were sitting. The corn was coated with a white powdery substance (possibly some type of attractant). At this time a third hunter emerged from the woods approximately 40 yards away carrying a loaded rifle. He was not wearing blaze orange. Lieutenant Baer inspected where the third hunter was sitting and found corn scattered on the ground within 15 yards of his stand location. This corn was also coated with white powder. The third hunter admitted to placing the bait out after Lieutenant Baer pointed out to him that the front of his clothing was covered in white powder. One of the hunters was a juvenile. Both adults were charged with hunting over bait in a WMA and not wearing blaze orange while deer hunting in a WMA.
FLAGLER COUNTY
Lieutenants Baer and Dack arrived at a residence in PalmCoast in response to a call about someone cleaning a deer in the front yard. Upon arrival they found a skinned deer carcass hanging on a homemade rack in the driveway. The head and sex evidence of the deer were missing. The homeowner admitted killing the deer earlier that evening. He claimed it was a 6 point buck and he left the head, guts and evidence of sex in the woods. After many inconsistencies in his story were pointed out, the homeowner admitted that the deer was a doe. He took the lieutenants into the back yard, where the doe head was hidden in some bushes. The head and carcass were seized and the homeowner was issued a notice to appear for taking a doe deer.
OPV Osprey
Officers McDonough and West were 23 miles northeast of Ponce Inlet on the Vessel Osprey when they observed an individual trolling. West boarded the vessel and conducted a boating and fisheries inspection finding the captain in possession of a 40 inch sailfish, 23 inches less than the minimum size limit. Officer West issued the individual a federal citation for possession of undersized sailfish and another federal citation for possession of a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fish without a HMS Permit.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
ALACHUA COUNTY
Lieutenant Ferguson observed two individuals hunting ducks out of season in Watermelon Pond Wildlife Environmental Area. After Officer Troiano arrived, the two observed both duck hunters paddling their kayaks back to the boat ramp; both hunters were dressed in full camouflage. After closer inspection, both hunters were found to be in possession of shotguns, steel shot, duck calls and numerous duck decoys. It was determined that the hunters had multiple violations. Appropriate citations and warnings were issued for hunting waterfowl out of season, several license violations and no personal flotation device.
Officer Troiano received information regarding an individual who killed two antlerless deer out of season. Officers Troiano and Lasher were able to make contact with the individual in question. After reading the suspect his Miranda Rights, the officers obtained a sworn written statement regarding his taking of antlerless deer out of season. The suspect showed the officers where the deer were killed, cleaned and dumped. Antlerless deer meat and a 44 magnum revolver were seized. Charges for taking antlerless deer out of season will be filed with the State Attorney’s Office.
DIXIE COUNTY
Officer Butler responded to assist Dixie Sheriff’s Office with a report of a deceased person in a vessel off the coast of Suwannee. Officer Butler responded utilizing our air boat to transport investigators from Dixie Sheriff’s Office and FWC. Preliminary investigation suggest that the subject died of natural causes.
DUVAL COUNTY
Resource Protection Officer Sweat was approached by a man in a remote area along the Clapboard Creek in DuvalCounty. The man was dropped off with a crow bar and a bucket by a friend. As he began to harvest oysters from the creek bank, he told Officer Sweat that he was a commercial fisherman and that he sold the oysters. The man asked Officer Sweat if he liked eating oysters. Officer Sweat replied “yes, but they cost too much nowadays”. As the officer was leaving the area, the man approached Officer Sweat a second time and offered the bucket of oysters for twenty dollars. The drop-off driver returned at this time. He was driving on a suspended license and in possession of a stolen tag that had been placed on his vehicle. Lieutenant Wright and Officer Christmas soon arrived on scene. Officers Christmas and Sweat issued three resource citations and three traffic citations.
Officer Hayes was on routine patrol in DuvalCounty conducting fishing license checks at the Bert Maxwell Boat Ramp in Jacksonville. Officer Hayes met a fisherman who was a non-resident and did not have a non-resident saltwater fishing license. In the process of issuing the subject a warning for not having a fishing license, Officer Hayes discovered that the subject had a warrant out of Duval County, Florida for violation of probation for domestic battery. After confirming the warrant with dispatch, Officer Hayes placed the subject under arrest on the active warrant, transported and booked the subject into the Duval County Jail.
In response to several hundred tires illegally dumped behind a Jacksonville business over the past two months, Investigators Terrones and Starling began a surveillance of the area. One evening they observed a local resident discarding waste tires from his vehicle behind the affected business. He was arrested for littering and for local warrants.
GILCHRIST COUNTY
Officer Allen was on land patrol in GilchristCounty when he received a complaint from a landowner advising that someone had driven around his gate and trespassed the night before. Officer Allen responded and located signs of an all-terrain vehicle. After several hours, he was able to track the sign back to a residence. During interviews with the operator, he admitted to driving around the gate and trespassing. Charges of trespass will be filed with the Gilchrist County State Attorney’s Office.
HAMILTON COUNTY
Officer Nichols received information about a large buck being taken, possibly by trespass and on the right of way. Officer Nichols investigated, interviewed the suspect and determined the buck was in fact taken from the right of way. The deer head was seized as evidence and charges will be direct filed with the State Attorney’s Office for taking wildlife from the right of way.
NASSAU COUNTY
Investigator Izsak conducted a fisheries inspection on a recreational vessel offshore of Fernandina. Upon initial observation, she observed a large zip lock bag that looked to contain fish fillets. One crew member stated that he filleted the two red snapper and placed them in the zip lock bag. He stated that he knew that the season for red snapper was closed, but kept and filleted them anyways. Investigator Izsak issued a citation and warnings for not landing snapper in whole condition and possessing red snapper during the federal closure.
SOUTHWEST REGION
LEE COUNTY
Officer McColgin and Deputy Wiseley were on water patrol conducting commercial net enforcement, when he observed a vessel operating without the required navigational lights. After watching the vessel for a while and seeing it deploy nets, they stopped the vessel to conduct an inspection. The officers discovered the fisherman was using seine nets. Closer inspection of the nets revealed they were clipped in a pattern to make them into entangling nets. The nets were seized and the fisherman was issued a misdemeanor citation for the violation. An infraction was issued for operating without the proper navigational lights.
PASCO COUNTY
Officer Gaudion was on land patrol conducting surveillance of individuals fishing in the AncloteRiver area. A group of individuals were observed fishing with nets from a commercial vessel. Officer Balfour and Lieutenant Holcomb inspected the vessel and determined the individuals’ nets were connected. The officers seized the nets as evidence and citations were issued for the violations.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
Officer Tarr was patrolling western Broward County and working with a check station operator from FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation at Stormwater Treatment Area #2 (STA2) during the waterfowl hunt. The check station operator observed a hunter with over his specific bag limit of fulvous whistling ducks. The check station operator called Officer Tarr over who confirmed the violation. Only one fulvous whistling duck is allowed per harvester as part of their six duck bag limit. The hunter was cited for harvesting over his bag limit of fulvous whistling ducks and the duck was seized and entered into evidence.
At several locations in WesternBrowardCounty, Officer Tarr has observed people target shooting. Some areas are legal to target shoot and others are not. Officer Tarr observed the target shooters until they packed up their vehicles and began to depart the area. When the subjects fail to pick up their spent bullet casings and rounds along with the bottles, cans, and other targets they were shooting at, Officer Tarr would cite them for littering. The charge of littering less than 15 pounds in BrowardCounty requires a mandatory court appearance even though it is an infraction. Those subjects that were in areas where target shooting is prohibited were issued warnings for violation of FS 790.15, public discharge of a firearm, since they did not have any history of the same violation in the past.
MARTIN COUNTY
Several officers responded to a medical emergency in the Dupuis Wildlife Environmental Area. The victim advised dispatch that he had been hunting in the area and had walked approximately 3 miles from his vehicle into the woods, and that he thought he might be having a heart attack. He was able to provide GPS coordinates, which greatly aided the responding officers in locating him quickly. Officers Koch and Doricchi located the victim’s vehicle and began to walk into the woods toward the GPS position given by the victim. Officers Webb and Stone coordinated with Martin County Fire Rescue with evacuation and remote access assistance. Martin County Sheriff’s Office aviation unit provided air support and was able to locate the victim and transport him to waiting EMS personnel. The victim was transported to the hospital.
Officer Carroll was checking fisherman at the Jensen Causeway. He made contact with an individual fishing from the pier under the bridge. The individual was found to be in possession of several fish, including two undersized mangrove snapper. The individual was issued a citation.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Numerous officers worked water patrol during the Holiday Boat Parade in Palm Beach and MartinCounties last Saturday.
Officers Matthews and Brock were on water patrol in LakeBoca when they observed a commercial lobster dive boat coming in from offshore. They stopped the vessel to conduct a saltwater fisheries inspection. During the inspection, eleven undersized spiny lobster were located on board the vessel. A criminal notice to appear was issued for the violation. The undersized lobster were returned alive to the water offshore Boca.
St. LUCIE COUNTY
Officer Aswall was on water patrol in the St Lucie River when she stopped a vessel to perform a boating safety and resource inspection. When she asked the operator of the vessel what he had caught, he advised her that he had five fish on board. However, he advised her that he was unaware of what he had caught. Upon inspection, she found three undersized mutton snapper and two legal size sheepshead. The operator was issued a citation for the undersized mutton snapper and educated about the importance of knowing Florida fishing regulations.
SOUTH REGION B
COLLIER COUNTY:
In 2015 there have been a record number of Florida panthers killed on the roadways. Recently, a two and half year old female was killed by a vehicle collision near a designated Panther Zone on Corkscrew Road. This was the 27th road mortality in 2015. In response, Officers Polly and Thurkettle conducted speed enforcement patrols in the Panther Zone off of Corkscrew Road. Both officers documented numerous speed violations and took an educational approach to inform the citizens of the importance of obeying the posted speed in the Panther Zones.
While on water patrol, Officer White received a distress call about a pontoon capsizing off of CapeRomano, south of MarcoIsland. Upon arrival to the location, Officer White and units from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Marco Island Police Department and Marco Island Fire Rescue recovered three juveniles, two adults and four dogs from the sinking boat. The accident is still being investigated.
Public Information Officer Parrish, White, Duty Officer Supervisor Roberson and two Miami Regional Communications Center Dispatchers attended the Preventing Wildlife Conflict Workshop in Naples. During the event, FWC staff answered questions regarding bear and panther conflicts, the bear hunt and other game and fish related questions. About 100 people attended the event and there were bear hazing and deterrence presentations.
Officers Johnson and Miller were on water patrol near MarcoPass when they stopped a vessel to perform a boating safety and resource inspection. During the inspection, Officer Johnson found three red grouper, two of which were undersized. The vessel was in compliance for safety regulations and the operator received a citation for the two undersized red grouper.
MONROE COUNTY:
Investigator Munkelt and another officer were on water patrol in Key WestHarbor when they observed a dinghy driving through the Christmas light boat parade without the required navigational lights. The officers conducted a vessel stop and observed that the operator had a strong odor of alcohol and glassy, bloodshot eyes. After conducting a breath alcohol test, it was determined that he was operating a vessel under the influence. The operator was placed under arrest and transported to the Monroe County Jail on StockIsland and charged with BUI and possession of marijuana.
Officer Hein was on land patrol in the Islamorada area when he noticed several individuals actively fishing off the side of the road. Officer Hein pulled over and conducted a resource inspection. During the resource inspection, Officer Hein asked if any fish had been caught and one individual said they had no fish. After inspecting the belongings, Officer Hein did not initially find any fish but noticed a small yellow bag that clearly contained fish located behind a tree with debris on it away from their belongings. Officer Hein asked two more times if any fish had been caught and the individual still said no fish were caught. Officer Hein picked up the bag and noticed several gray/mangrove snapper, some of which were still alive. Officer Hein inquired about the snapper and the man said they were not his fish and they had been left by somebody else. Right next to the bag in an identical yellow bag was a cell phone. Officer Hein picked up the cell phone bag and indicated that the other person must have left the cell phone along with the fish. At this point, one individual admitted to catching the fish and admitted to the phone being his. Upon closer inspection of the fish, Officer Hein determined the individual to be in possession of undersized gray/mangrove snapper and over the aggregate bag limit of gray/mangrove snapper. The individual was arrested and searched. Upon searching the individual, another identical bag that contained the fish and phone was located in his pocket. He was transported to a detention facility.
MIAMI – DADECOUNTY:
Officer Martin entered a tackle and bait shop to conduct a wholesale/retail license check. The officer was provided with a retail license for a different bait shop at a different location. Additionally, no invoices were available showing proof of sale for any saltwater products on site. The owner of the bait shop was contacted and provided one week to comply with the correct laws regulating the sale of saltwater products. A follow up visit will be conducted.
Officer Washington initiated routine saltwater fishery inspections at Haulover south jetty. There were several individuals (approximately 13 total) along the jetty and amongst the rocks near the beacon at the tip of the jetty. There was one individual in dark clothing who made some quick motions toward the garbage can. The officer walked over and identified himself as a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Officer. The officer then searched the garbage can and found two snook at the bottom, one of which was still breathing weakly. I asked who was responsible for harvesting these fish and received no admission. A good Samaritan advised that he saw an individual wearing all black throw the fish away quickly. That person was issued two misdemeanors and one infraction. He was given a notice to appear for the undersized snook and over the bag limit of snook.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officer Plussa attended the Wounded Warrior’s Project Fishing Expedition in Flamingo, Florida, which is the heart of the Everglades. A total of eight decorated and injured combat veterans from the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force were each flown in to partake in an exclusive fishing trip with some of Florida’s best fishing guides. The Chevrolet Florida Fishing Report, FWC, Miami-Dade Police Department and EvergladesNational Park all joined together in supporting these heroes and ensuring they had a memorable day in beautiful natural Florida.
Officer Plussa accompanied crewmembers of United States Coast Guard, Station Marathon on a joint maritime patrol. Once their objective for the patrol was completed, they stopped at a local waterside restaurant where Officer Plussa treated the crew to a Christmas lunch. The meal also served to wish a crew member farewell, as he was leaving Coast Guard active duty and starting a new career as a law enforcement officer in Orange County, Florida, exactly where Officer Plussa had served for four years before joining the FWC and relocating to the Keys. After their meal, they interacted with many of the other restaurant patrons on dock, providing them literature on fishing regulations, and answering their many questions relating to local boating laws and explaining the missions of the FWC, the USCG and how the agencies work together to accomplish them on a daily basis.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report