NORTHWEST REGION
JACKSON COUNTY
Officers Baber and Burkhead responded to a complaint from a landowner who found a large pile of trash and household debris dumped on his property. The officers identified the house from where the trash originated. The officers learned the house had been foreclosed on. Through the foreclosure company, the officers identified a company that was responsible for maintenance of the property. Upon interviewing the owner of this company, they identified the individual who dumped the trash. At the direction of the local State Attorney, the suspect was charged with felony commercial dumping.
Officer Baber responded to a complaint from a landowner who heard two shots on his property. Officer Baber located the suspect who had shot two doe deer from the roadway on the complainant’s property. Both deer and a 12‑gauge shotgun were seized as evidence. The suspect was charged with two counts of taking antlerless deer during the closed season and two counts of road hunting.
Later that night, Officers Baber and Guy responded to another complaint from a landowner who saw a light being shined from a vehicle and heard two shots. The complainant saw the vehicle heading north, toward the Alabama state line after the shots were fired. When the officers arrived on scene, they found where a deer had been shot on the complainant’s property. The officers processed the scene to include photographing tire and foot tracks, collecting blood samples, and seizing two spent .243 rifle casings. The following day, Lieutenant B. Allen received a call from an Alabama officer who said he believed the suspect vehicle was at a work site near Webb, Alabama. Lieutenant Allen located the vehicle and noticed fresh blood on the bumper and a .243 rifle inside the vehicle. The owner of the vehicle was interviewed and he admitted that he and another suspect shot the deer the night before. Lieutenant Allen located the second suspect who also admitted to night hunting and shooting a deer the night before. A .243 rifle was seized as evidence and both suspects were charged with night hunting, road hunting and trespassing.
Lieutenant Allen and Officer Forehand responded to a complaint from a landowner who saw a light being shined from a vehicle and heard a shot. The landowner got the tag number from the vehicle. The officers ultimately located the suspect and conducted an interview. The suspect admitted to night hunting and shooting at a deer on the complainant’s property. A 7MM-08 rifle, spent shell casing and spotlight were seized as evidence. The suspect was charged with night hunting, road hunting and trespassing.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Pifer was on vehicle patrol conducting hunting license and game inspections on the Eglin Wildlife Management Area (WMA). He located a vehicle with a single occupant in the still hunt area of the WMA. The driver’s side door was open when Officer Pifer established contact with the driver. The individual was in possession of firearms. The Tallahassee Regional Communication Center confirmed the individual had a non-expiring domestic violence injunction prohibiting the individual from possessing firearms. A citation was issued to the individual for possessing firearms while the subject of a domestic violence injunction.
Officers Pifer and Corbin were patrolling the Eglin WMA conducting hunting license and game inspections when they observed a parked/unoccupied vehicle. The Regional Communication Center confirmed the registered owner of the vehicle was the subject of a domestic violence injunction and prohibited from possessing firearms. The officers observed an empty gun case in the vehicle and made contact with the individual when he returned to his truck. The individual was wearing camouflage clothing along with an orange vest. Officer Corbin seized a rifle and shotgun and charged the individual for possessing firearms while the subject of a domestic violence injunction.
Officers Bartlett and Molnar received a call from Eglin Range Patrol regarding an antlerless deer being taken illegally on Eglin Reservation WMA. Upon arrival, Officer Bartlett interviewed the individual. The individual stated while he was hunting, he saw three bucks crossing the road and tried to harvest the legal size buck. He stated he accidently shot the antlerless deer. The individual was issued a citation for taking an antlerless deer during general gun season.
Officer Pifer was patrolling the Eglin WMA when he observed a vehicle parked in one of the daily closed areas. Officer Corbin arrived on scene to assist, and while at the vehicle, the officers heard a single gunshot south of their location in the closed area. Officer Corbin stayed with the vehicle while Officer Pifer went to locate the hunter. Several hundred yards into the woods, Officer Pifer located a hunter attempting to locate the deer that had been shot. When asked, the individual stated that he did not check the public access map before entering the WMA. The officers assisted the individual in locating a legal antlered deer. They transported the individual and his deer back to his vehicle where he was cited for hunting in a closed area.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Jones, Maltais and Pifer were conducting a detail in conjunction with FWC Law Enforcement Aviation section targeting early entry into the Eglin WMA. FWC Pilot Tolbert, who was patrolling the WMA by aircraft, contacted Officer Maltais that he had a visual on a vehicle driving in the WMA before legal hours. Pilot Tolbert guided Officer Maltais to the vehicle’s location where he conducted a traffic stop. There was a small hunting dog and a loaded shotgun in the cab passenger seat. The driver did not possess a driver's license, Eglin hunting permit, hunting license nor a deer permit. During the stop, Officer Pifer smelled the odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle. The individual stated that there was no cannabis in the vehicle because he had smoked it all. During a search of the vehicle, Officer Pifer located a tobacco container which contained cannabis. Officer Pifer cited the individual for early entry into the WMA and for possession of cannabis under 20 grams.
Officer Hutchinson received a complaint about someone illegally dumping three deer carcasses on the side of the road near a gate to a hunt club. After speaking with the complainant, Officer Hutchinson learned of three male subjects who were bragging about killing three deer the day before the carcasses were discovered. Officer Hutchinson located all three subjects at one of their residences and conducted interviews. During the interviews, two of the subjects admitted to dumping the carcasses on the right of way. Both subjects were issued criminal citations for littering (exceeding 15 pounds).
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling near a hunting club when he observed a large amount of trash that had been illegally dumped on the right of way and on the hunting club property. While investigating, Officer Hutchinson found clues as to the identification of the owner. Officer Hutchinson drove to the suspect’s house. Once he arrived, he discovered that the residence was vacant. He made contact with an informant who informed him that the person who was renting the residence and a friend were seen hauling off several large loads of trash just a few days before. Officer Hutchinson made contact with one of the subjects and conducted an interview. The subject admitted to helping his friend illegally dump the trash. Officer Hutchinson contacted the other subject and conducted an interview. The second subject admitted to dumping the trash. Both subjects were charged with littering exceeding 15 pounds.
While on foot patrol in Blackwater River WMA, Officer Ramos located a type of tree stand that is commonly used for hunting deer. A short distance away, the officer found a heap of fresh corn and noted that it was placed in a direct line of sight from the tree stand. Officer Ramos continued surveillance on the area until he discovered a vehicle that had parked on the closed road nearby. Officer Ramos approached the tree stand undetected and caught a man hunting there, directly facing the bait. After a brief interview the man admitted to placing the bait in the management area to attract deer. He was cited with taking wildlife on WMA lands upon which grain or other food has been deposited, and also issued two warnings for other violations.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
BAKER COUNTY
K-9 Officer Gill and Lieutenant Huff were working illegal deer dog hunting in Baker County. Officer Burnsed had received some information earlier that the subjects were running deer dogs on property that was not registered with FWC under the deer dog registration requirement. Shortly after daylight, Officer Gill heard a pack of dogs consistent with running deer on the property. Several minutes later, Officer Gill heard five gunshots in the area where the dogs were running. Officer Gill, along with K-9 Friar went on foot in an attempt to get closer to the hunters. Officer Gill saw several vehicles leave the property and pull up to an adjacent house. After a short time, a vehicle came by Officer’s Gill’s concealed location with a cleaned deer carcass on the tailgate. Lieutenant Huff found the vehicle a short time later and made contact with the hunters. The hunters denied killing a deer at first until Lieutenant Huff saw fresh blood on the tailgate. The hunters showed Lieutenant Huff where the deer carcass was dumped, which turned out to be a doe deer. The hunters had also tried to illegally tag the carcass with an antlerless deer tag assigned to another property. Lieutenant Huff, along with the hunters met Officer Gill back at the residence. After interviewing the subjects, they admitted to killing the doe deer ahead of their dogs. They brought the deer back to the house and cleaned it. Another hunter showed up and illegally tagged the carcass in case they got stopped. The rifle used to kill the deer and the cleaned meat was seized as evidence. Charges of taking a doe deer during closed season, possession of doe deer during closed season, and violation of deer dog registration will be direct filed with the State Attorney’s Office.
CITRUS COUNTY
Officers worked a detail on CitrusCounty waterways targeting duck hunting activity over the weekend. The detail resulted in three misdemeanor violations cited, eight warnings issued for resource violations and five warnings issued for boating safety violations.
Officer Crane assisted Citrus County Sheriff’s Office with a search for a drowning victim. Several people had attempted to assist the subject before he went underwater. The subject was recovered after several hours of searching. Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the drowning. No further FWC actions are expected at this time.
Officers finished a week long evening detail assisting the Homosassa Springs State Park with their annual Christmas light event. Hundreds of visitors come to the light show each year. Donations from the event go to the Save the Manatee Club.
DIXIE COUNTY
Officer Cline was on land patrol in Dixie County when he located two ATVs hidden in Log Landing WMA. Officer Cline followed foot sign apprehending the subjects hog hunting with dogs in the WMA. Subjects were issued citations for the illegal hunting and illegal entry with ATVs.
Officer Cline received information of an illegal doe deer that had been killed in a DixieCounty hunt club. Through interviews and investigation, Officer Cline was able to locate the deer and the shooter. The suspect was issued a citation for illegal taking/possession of doe deer. The deer was seized for evidence.
LEVY COUNTY
Officer Johnston and Schulz were on water patrol in the area of Suwannee Sound near the mouth of the SuwanneeRiver. During their patrol they saw a boat with one person on board acting suspiciously. Upon making contact with the vessel they discovered that the subject was a commercial oysterman. During a boating safety inspection, they found the oysterman was using an oyster dredge to harvest the oysters. They also saw that bilge water in the boat was not separated from the fresh oysters on board. The commercial oysterman was given a misdemeanor citation for illegally harvesting oysters with a dredge and warned for the bilge water coming in contact with the oysters on board.
Officer Schulz and Lieutenant Umhoefer were working night hunting enforcement in Levy County near Devil’s Hammock WMA. A pick-up truck passed their concealed location just after midnight. The truck braked sharply, turned around, drove back past them and the passenger fired two shots at a 6-point white tail buck on the side of the road. Lieutenant Umhoefer and Officer Schulz stopped the vehicle shortly after the shots were fired. The driver and one passenger were previously convicted felons currently on felony probation. The passenger admitted to shooting a .22 caliber and semi-auto rifle at the deer and the driver admitted to having targeted the deer on the roadside. The driver had a “solo” cup filled with whiskey and the passenger had two baggies containing methamphetamine on his person. Both subjects were arrested on multiple felony, misdemeanor and infraction charges, and booked into custody at the Levy County Jail.
Officer Schulz was on water patrol on the Suwannee River. He conducted a boating safety and resource inspection at Clay Landing Boat Ramp on two men in a bass boat. During the resource portion of the inspection, Officer Schulz found they were in possession of two bag limits of black bass. Several of the black bass were under the legal size limit and one of the men did not have a current fishing license. They admitted to having kept the bass without measuring any of them. Officer Schulz issued one man a misdemeanor citation for the possession of undersized black bass and the other received a citation for no freshwater fishing license. The undersized fish were seized for evidence.
TAYLOR COUNTY
Investigator McMillan and Officer Wilcox were on patrol along Highway 98 near Cow Creek Grade. Investigator McMillan and Officer Wilcox observed a small sedan traveling west at a slow rate of speed. The same vehicle passed by displaying brake and reverse lights several times. A light was also being shined out of a window. A vehicle stop was conducted and a .308 rifle was observed in the front seat. The two individuals in the vehicle admitted they were trying to kill a deer. The weapon was seized and the two were placed under arrest for attempting to take deer at night using a gun and light.
Officer Wilcox while on land patrol observed a UTV type vehicle on Mt. Gilead Church Road. Operating a UTV on an unpaved county road after dark is a violation of Florida Statutes 316.2123. As he passed the vehicle, it increased speed as if attempting to flee. Officer Wilcox followed the vehicle which continued on to a hunting camp. Officer Wilcox questioned three male occupants who appeared very nervous. Fresh blood and hair were observed in the rear of the UTV and a fresh deer leg was observed nearby. A cooler in a truck at the camp was inspected and revealed deer meat on ice but still warm to the touch. One of the men admitted to killing the dear earlier in the day, but could not produce antlers or any evidence of a male deer. A notice to appear was issued for possession of deer without sex evidence and the UTV driver was issued a written warning for the night operation violation. The meat was seized and donated to a local charity.
Officer Korade was dispatched to DoctorsMemorialHospital in Perry regarding a possible boating accident that occurred on the TaylorCounty coastline. Two individuals were being treated for injuries and stated they were thrown from an airboat while searching for fiddler crabs near Hagan’s Cove. The investigation revealed the two encountered another airboat in a trail, turned to avoid a possible collision, and struck a tree stump. Their boat came to an abrupt stop ejecting both into the mud. The airboat suffered a cracked fiberglass hull and the occupants sustained only minor injuries. The operator was issued a written warning for failure to produce a boater safety ID card.
NORTHEAST REGION
BREVARD COUNTY
Fourteen officers in Brevard, Indian River, and Osceola Counties conducted a night hunting enforcement activity utilizing a “robo-deer.” With an FWC helicopter overheard, numerous vehicles were identified in the counties listed as shining lights. One vehicle passed the robotic deer numerous times before shooting the deer with a long rifle. Numerous citations were issued for the offenses including the take of deer with a rim fire rifle, use of a gun and light at night and discharge of a firearm from public roadway.
Captain Rowe and Officer Rasey represented the FWC in the 53rd annual Titusville Christmas Parade. A 23-foot pathfinder patrol vessel was pulled in the parade as a part of the parade precession. Local elementary honor society students from Imperial Estates Elementary School were invited to ride on the vessel during the parade through the City of Titusville. All had a great time, including the several thousand spectators who were in attendance. Also, Officer Horst escorted numerous vessels in another Christmas parade in the southern Brevard County area. Hundreds of citizens lined the shorelines and local boat ramps to see the event.
Officer Horst received a tip in reference to several subjects keeping an over the size limit redfish on a pier in a local park. After arriving, the officer located several subjects fishing in the area. Upon inspection of the subject’s coolers and buckets, a large redfish head was located. One of the subjects admitted to catching and filleting the fish. The subject stated that he gave away the meat from the fish. A citation was issued for not landing in whole condition.
While on early morning patrol, Lieutenant Lightsey observed a suspicious vehicle on a county roadway. Using night vision goggles, Lieutenant Lightsey was able to see the vehicle, which had turned out its lights and was using a small light source to disclose the location of a deer. The vehicle moved to the middle of the roadway and fired two rounds from a firearm and then quickly sped off towards the officer. Lieutenant Lightsey conducted a traffic stop of the individuals to address the violations. An interview of the two men in the vehicle revealed that they shot twice at a “stud buck” from the roadway using a shotgun located in their back seat. A search of the vehicle revealed one hot barreled shotgun with shot shells lying next to it, one loaded 30-06 rifle, and one flashlight used to illuminate the deer. A search of the area revealed two matching spent shot shells and fresh tracks from the spooked deer. After tracking the deer it was discovered that the men had missed their target. Notices to appear were issued for illegal take of deer, use of gun and light at night, and discharging a firearm from a roadway. The firearms were seized for evidence.
Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the FWC partnered together to conduct a vessel escort of Santa Claus to a local waterside restaurant on the Indian River. There were approximately 300 parents and excited kids at the event and they all enjoyed a fun night with Santa.
Officer Hadwin received a tip from Wildlife Alert that several subjects were attempting to take an alligator by illegal method/out of season in a small neighborhood lake. After meeting with the complainant the officer was able to survey the area and locate the bush hook. After numerous hours of surveillance the officer observed four men arrive in a small john boat and check the baited line. The officer announced his presence and began conducting interviews pertaining to the violations. Officer Lejarzar arrived to assist with the violations. The officers were able to obtain full confessions from the men and issued numerous citations.
MARION COUNTY
Officer Teal received a call from dispatch about a doe being killed in the Ocala WMA in east MarionCounty. The doe was reported to have been shot, put into a car then snuck out of the WMA. Officer Teal, along with Officer Sumpter and U.S. Forest Service LE Officer Stokes, canvased the area as well as the residence of where the suspected shooter and accomplices lived. A short time later, Officer Sumpter passed the vehicle of the shooter and followed him back to the residence and received a sworn statement under Miranda from him admitting to killing the doe. Officers Teal and Stokes went to the residence of the individuals who took the deer home and found a doe hanging from a clothes line in the back yard that was halfway skinned out. After being read Miranda, the subjects admitted to knowing the deer was shot illegally by the other individual that took it out of the management area. The suspects were all charged accordingly and the deer and rifle were seized as evidence.
Recently, a youth hunt was held in the Northeast Region at the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, near Dunnellon. Eight youth were chosen to attend the hunt for white tailed deer. All youth were able to successfully harvest a deer. This was largely a result of the cooperative effort between our law enforcement officers and the Division of Hunting and Game Management. A huge thank you to: JoAnne Peagler with the Division of Hunting and Game Management, Kim Sundberg, Ken Davis and David Winch, all Region V Hunter Safety Instructors, as well as Lieutenant Wilke, Investigator Fischer and Officers Sumpter, Hargabus, Wear, Dias and Rice.
SUMTER COUNTY
Officer Morrow received information of a subject that illegally harvested an alligator on his property. Officer Morrow made contact with the suspect who admitted to the violation. The suspect killed the 5-6 foot alligator and put the meat in his freezer. The meat was seized and the subject was issued the appropriate citation.
Officer Sweet got a call reference a group of hunters that harvested an illegal deer in the Richloam WMA. Officer Sweet made contact with the group and located the antlerless deer. The deer was seized and donated to a charitable organization. The responsible subject was cited appropriately for the illegal deer violation.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Numerous FWC officers from Indian River and Brevard Counties participated in Indian River County’s “Shop with a Cop.” The community event gives an opportunity for children to shop and eat with local law enforcement officers during the Christmas season. As usual, there were numerous smiling faces from the children and officers.
Officer Platt responded to assist Indian River County Sheriff’s Office with a trespass complaint. During the trespass it was found that two men were in possession of numerous softshell turtles, used undocumented bush hooks and were not properly licensed. Several criminal citations were issued for the violations.
SOUTHWEST REGION
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Officers Dearborn, Ahlers and Baker were working a landowner complaint. The officers observed a pickup truck enter the property and spotlight the area. After hearing the suspects shoot, the officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The three suspects did not have permission to hunt the property and were booked into the county jail for armed trespass.
LEE COUNTY
Officer McColgin and Lieutenant Barrett were conducting a late night patrol in Pine Island Sound targeting illegal commercial net fishing. The officers observed a mullet boat operating nearby their location without navigation lights. Through the use of advanced optics, the officers were able to close on the fishing vessel under the cover of darkness. When the officers were within approximately 100 yards of the fishing vessel, they observed a subject retrieving a large net. The officers activated the emergency lights and conducted a vessel stop. The subject immediately gave up and was found to be using a 200 yard long monofilament gill net. The net was measured to be over 5,500 square feet, 11 times the legal size. The fisherman was arrested and in addition to criminal charges faces the forfeiture of his vessel, outboard motor, trailer, net, as well as the suspension or revocation of his saltwater products license.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Officer Bibler along with Lieutenant Hinds IV were on water patrol in the area of Pass-a-Grill. While on patrol, they were performing random boating safety and fisheries inspections on a group of commercial fishing vessels following a large school of mullet. During one of their inspections they found that the captain of the vessel had not adequately taken measures to preserve the quality of his catch. The captain had several criminal violations pertaining to the lack of quality control on commercially harvested seafood. The captain was given one criminal citation and several warnings.
Officer Bibeau along with Lieutenant Parisoe received a call of a possible hunting and trespassing incident occurring in Brooker Creek Preserve. During the course of their investigation, they discovered a man who was actively bow hunting in the preserve illegally. Charges for armed felony trespassing will be filed with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office and the man was given a warning for having an expired hunting license.
Officer Martinez was on land patrol near the area of Maximo Boat Ramp. While on patrol, he performed a fisheries and boating safety inspection on a commercial fishing vessel returning from a fishing trip. Officer Martinez’s inspection uncovered that the captain of the vessel had not properly iced his fish to ensure the quality of the product. Furthermore, Officer Martinez found an undersized and out of season snook still stuck in the fisherman’s seine net. The man was cited criminally for lack of quality control of seafood and possession of snook out of season.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
Officers Ryan, Tarr and Lieutenant McDonald were patrolling the Water Management Stormwater Treatment Area #2 (STA 2) during the second phase of waterfowl hunting. A group of subjects came into the check station with three moorhens. Moorhens are not allowed to be taken out of STA 2 and the season for moorhens closed on November 9. The subject who shot the three moorhens was cited for taking species other than ducks, coots, or mergansers out of an STA and issued a warning for taking moorhens during closed season. The three moorhens were seized as evidence.
Officer Ryan was patrolling the Water Management Stormwater Treatment Area #2 during the second phase of waterfowl hunting. While he was checking the permits for a group of hunters that had just completed their hunt, he observed that the subjects were hunting under someone else’s permit. The named permitee was not present. The permits are not transferable therefore the permitee must be present during the hunt. The two subjects were cited for a violation of general access rules into the STA.
Officer Tarr continues to target and make several littering and public discharge of firearm cases all throughout western BrowardCounty. There has been a large increase of target shooters this year in the management areas who have been leaving all or most of their spent bullet casings and shotgun shells along with the cans, bottles, and other objects they are using for targets. It has also increased the amount of large object littering for people shooting at everything from old water heaters to washers and driers and other large appliances instead of legally taking them to a dump. Some items being used as targets are very dangerous such as large propane canisters and other containers that are under pressure. Officer Tarr has been patient and observed target shooters and their targets and making sure they are cleaning up the area by educating, warning, and issuing citations depending on the situation.
HENDRY COUNTY
Officers Alford and Mullins were responding to a hunting/ trespass complaint at a farm in Palm BeachCounty. While in route, Officer Mullins noticed an out of control fire 10-15 feet away from a vehicle and residence located off of U.S. 27, south of Clewiston. Officer Mullins arrived on scene to find the homeowners attempting to keep the 10-20 foot flames at bay with a garden hose and good Samaritans carrying buckets of water back and forth from a nearby shed. Officer Mullins expended his fire extinguisher and assisted the homeowner in suppressing the flames. Once the fire was extinguished, Officer Mullins was back enroute to the original hunting/trespass complaint. Officer Alford located the individuals that were hunting/trespassing and addressed the violations.
OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
Lieutenant Strenth was on airboat patrol on the Kissimmee River when he was flagged down by a boater wanting to report that a friend had gotten out of the boat into the Kissimmee Prairie State Park and had not come back. The subject stated they had been looking for her, but had no luck. Lieutenant Strenth notified Officers Davis and Reserve Officer Allen to respond by buggy to the area. Investigator Douglas responded along with K9 Officer Payne and Officer Greene. Investigator Douglas checked for air support due to the massive rural area to search. Lieutenant Brooks from the Southwest Region overheard the radio call for air-support and notified Lieutenant Strenth he could respond with additional help. Within a short time everyone had assembled and the K9 had attempted to do a search. Just before dark the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Department notified the FWC that the subject had been located approximately five miles away on a private ranch in good shape and did not require medical attention.
Lieutenant Strenth and Officer Davis were patrolling the Kissimmee Prairie State Park when two subjects and four hunting dogs were spotted. Officer Davis and Lieutenant Strenth stopped the subjects and informed them they were in a state park and no hunting was allowed. The subjects stated they had seen a sign earlier but thought the park property had ended. The subjects were issued citations for trespassing and hunting within a state park.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officers Davis, Harris and Reserve Officer Allen took part in the annual Okeechobee Fraternal Order of Police “Shop with a Cop” event at Walmart in Okeechobee. The officers along with members from the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office and the Okeechobee Police Department escorted underprivileged children on a Christmas shopping trip through the store. The children were able to spend one hundred dollars each. Afterward there were photographs taken with Santa of the participants including the officers. A total of 73 children attended the event.
MARTIN COUNTY
Officers Rogers and Moss received a call from dispatch to assist Officer Aswall with catching an injured sea turtle in the MartinCounty waterways. The sea turtle was unable to submerge and appeared to have been struck by a vessel. Every time the Officers came close to catching the turtle, it would go under water and elude capture. The officers were determined to catch the turtle and save its life. After a couple of tries, the officers were able to lasso the sea turtle and pull it into the vessel. It was then carried to the truck where Officers Moss and Rogers transported the sea turtle to Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach FL. The center started treatment on the turtle right away and they hope to rehabilitate the turtle for future release.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
While on patrol in Palm Beach County, Officer Spanier noticed a vehicle parked in a closed area of the Storm Water Treatment Area 1 East. Officer Spanier made contact with the individual sitting in the truck to let them know the area was closed to public access and they would not be able to remain in the area. The individual in the vehicle immediately became argumentative and refused to comply with Officer Spanier’s requests to leave the area. Once Officer Spanier removed the individual from his vehicle, he noticed a glass smoking pipe on the driver’s seat of the vehicle. At this point the subject was placed under arrest for trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia. While taking inventory of the vehicle, Officer Spanier discovered a large pill bottle containing a substance that tested positive for cannabis. The subject was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.
Several officers from the FWC responded to the area of MacArthur Beach State Park in Palm Beach County the morning of Dec 30 to assist Border Patrol with locating and detaining several immigrants whose small boat had washed up on shore. A total of 29 individuals were taken into custody including two children.
Officer Spanier was performing boating safety and fisheries inspections at the Boynton Beach Boat Ramp. Officer Spanier made contact with two individuals on a vessel returning from a fishing trip. A fisheries inspection revealed the two individuals to be in possession of 11 tripletail. The bag limit in state waters for tripletail is two per person. Each of the individuals was cited for possession of over the bag limit of tripletail.
Officers Matthews and Brock were patrolling Lake Boca in Palm Beach County when they stopped a commercial fishing vessel to conduct an inspection. The vessel had commercial quantities of spiny lobster on board. Upon initial inspection the officers observed one undersized lobster and several others that looked to be undersized. They docked their vessel to conduct a more thorough inspection. A total of eleven undersized lobster were found. The owner of the vessel had recently been written a warning for the same violation by Officer Matthews. This time he received a citation for the undersized lobsters and the lobsters were able to be returned alive to the ocean.
While on patrol near Canal Point in Palm Beach County, Officer Toby observed an individual fishing and conducted a fisheries inspection. Officer Toby located five undersized black crappie in a bucket in the individual’s possession. The individual was issued a misdemeanor citation for this violation.
Multiple officers responded to a severe vessel accident on Lake Okeechobee. One injured occupant was brought in by a Good Samaritan and transported by helicopter with severe head injuries. The officers on scene were able to get the vessels back to the ramp and secured in the evidence facility. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Officer Harris was patrolling several boat ramps along Lake Okeechobee. At the Indian Prairie Canal Boat Ramp, he inspected the catch of two fishermen just returning from the lake. Officer Harris discovered nine undersized largemouth bass and one undersized black crappie among their catch. Lake Okeechobee regulations require largemouth bass to be at least 18 inches and black crappie must be at least ten inches. Officer Harris issued each fisherman a citation.
SOUTH REGION B
COLLIER COUNTY
Officers Polly and Reams were conducting traffic enforcement in a Panther Zone off of County Road 850. Officer Reams observed a vehicle coming up from the rear of his patrol car at a high rate of speed. Officer Reams proceeded to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle for unlawful speed and when he asked the driver of the vehicle for his driver license, the driver was unable to provide one. FWC’s Dispatch confirmed with the officers that the driver had never been issued a Florida driver license and had no other driver licenses on file. The subject was arrested for driving with no valid driver license and was issued citations for unlawful speed and having an open container.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Miami-Dade Police Department Ag Unit contacted the FWC about a location that they served a warrant on for running an illegal slaughter operation. Upon inspecting the property, they found some protected species in a freezer. Investigator Smith arrived on scene and identified the species as two cooper hawks and two turkey vultures. Investigator Gilbert arrived on scene to assist. While on the property, Investigator Gilbert found various 55 gallon drums containing animal entrails and observed runoff from the slaughter tables draining directly onto the ground. Animal entrails were littering the property, causing a serious health issue. Investigator Smith found 14 Venezuelan red footed tortoises in a large pen. The pen did not meet proper caging regulations, had no water, no food and no shade. The animals were clearly neglected. These tortoises are believed to be part of a shipment of 300 that were housed in the same vicinity that were stolen in 2014. The tortoises are valued at $1000 apiece and were shipped to the U.S. from Venezuela for habitat studies. The property is in violation of FS 403.161(1) (a) Felony Environmental and 403.161(1) (b) Misdemeanor Environmental. Other charges that will be direct filed are: Possession of MBTA species (4 counts), unsanitary conditions and improper caging for the tortoises. The FWC will be investigating the possible theft of the tortoises.
Officer Romero observed a boat docking at Black Point Marina. The boat had two passengers on board. Officer Romero approached the boat and performed a boating safety inspection, there were no violations. The officer observed multiple fishing rods, coolers and cut bait on the boat`s deck. The officer proceeded with a resource inspection. The captain was found to be in possession of several fish including two undersized mutton snappers. While citing the captain for his infraction, the officer witnessed another vessel pull up to the dock and noticed the two people on the vessel moving extremely fast and trying to leave the scene. Officer Romero quickly approached the boat and performed a boating safety inspection, there were no violations. After a boating safety inspection the officer proceeded with a resource inspection and found the captain and his mate to be in possession of 33 great barracuda, including one bonefish. Both suspects were cited accordingly for their violations.
Officer Padilla was on state park patrol at Bill Baggs Cape Florida when he proceeded to conduct a dockside fisheries inspection on a fisherman at fishing pier Number 4. While the officer inspected his catch he found one undersized gray snapper still alive. That fish was returned alive back to the water and the fisherman was issued a warning. While looking around, the officer spotted a fish wrapped in a towel under the fishing pier dock. The fisherman admitted to catching the fish and hiding it. The fish was a bonefish and is illegal to possess. The fisherman was cited accordingly.
MONROE COUNTY
Officer Plussa and the Marathon FWC Office received numerous calls from concerned citizens regarding an environmental hazard that had occurred in the previous week. Officer Plussa had originally responded to the scene where two vessels had sunk and were contaminating the waterway with fuel and causing a navigational hazard. The callers now claimed someone had towed another derelict vessel into the area and tied it to the existing wreck. The suspect vessel, though shady in appearance, had all of the required permits and licensing and was actually a sub-contractor of the US Coast Guard contracted to remove the original wreck from the waters. The other vessel he had towed to the area and left was his “working platform.” The operator displayed to Officer Plussa how the lift on the other boat worked. Officer Plussa documented several registration violations and explained the concern of nearby citizens to the operator. The matter was resolved without incident or any criminal violations.
In July, three FWC marked patrol vessels were burglarized in Key Largo and multiple GPS devices and gauges were stolen (total value of approx. $10,000). During an extensive investigation, FWC investigators identified a suspect, made contact with him, and conducted an undercover transaction to purchase one of the GPS devices. Investigators confirmed that the GPS purchased was one stolen from the FWC. The suspect owns a Marine Services Business in Hialeah, and is on federal probation from a previous conviction for theft of US Government property and credit card fraud. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant on December 18 and arrested the suspect. He was charged with five felonies and one misdemeanor in connection with the theft and subsequent dealing of stolen property. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the FWC, FDLE, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, the US Postal Inspection Service, US Probation & Parole Office and State of Florida Probation & Parole Office.
Officer Plussa conducted early morning offshore patrol in the Flamingo area, approximately 25 miles offshore, checking compliance with commercial fishing vessels. He documented some minor violations relating to commercial vessel markings that were not updated and issued several citations for unserviceable safety equipment. He had previously received several complaints from concerned citizens that many of the commercial vessels were operating with white floodlights while underway at night. These lights prevented passing boaters from seeing their navigation lights and determining their direction of travel. Officer Plussa observed dozens of these violations described in the complaints. Instead of issuing citations for this interference with navigation, he used it as an educational opportunity when speaking to the commercial fishermen during inspections.
Officers J. Munkelt and D. Munkelt both waited for a person known for selling resources to the public without a license to return to port from fishing. The suspect offered the undercover FWC officers stone crab and lobster for sale while the officers were fishing at the dock. The officers exchanged $30 cash for four lobster and the suspect threw in two stone crab claws. The officers identified themselves and conducted a commercial safety gear and resource inspection. The officers searched vessel and inspected traps he had on board. The subject had fewer than 10 lobster onboard. The subject was cited for one undersized lobster and no wholesale/retail license. While completing his citation, an additional subject came up by vehicle to buy lobster/stone crab.
Officers McHenry and Lopez were provided an arrest warrant for a local commercial fisherman that Investigator Morato had filed. Both officers went to Charter Boat Row where the subject keeps his two commercial vessels and noticed that both vessels were out of the slips. After recognizing the suspect’s vehicle on site they had good reason to believe he was out on a charter. Both officers were able to stay concealed and out of sight until one of the suspect’s vessels returned. Once they were able to identify the subject, he was arrested on site and transported to the Key West jail without incident.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report