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.
Patrol, Protect, Preserve
NORTHWEST REGION
Officers Gore and Price were patrolling federal waters when a vessel was boarded for a resource inspection. The officers found an undersized red snapper (out of season) and an undersized greater amberjack. A citation was issued for the amberjack and warnings were given for the undersized red snapper that was taken out of season. The officers later checked two more vessels. On the first vessel, five red snappers were found onboard and on the second vessel, two red snappers were found onboard. Federal citations for harvest of red snapper during the closed season were issued.
Lieutenant Chesser pulled into a local automotive store to make some purchases when he encountered a subject that was attempting to take items and cash from the business. The subject was handcuffed and turned over to the Panama City Police Department.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
CITRUS COUNTY
FWC officers worked the Annual Crystal River Raft Race. The event drew large crowds on land and water with a few hundred boats in the area. Officers focused their efforts on boating and public safety. Several citations and warnings were issued for safety equipment, restricted area violations and resource violations. Lieutenant Jones and Officer Seiler stopped a female jet-ski operator who showed signs of impairment. She was arrested for boating while impaired and refused to submit to a chemical breath test.
Officer VanNess received information that a subject was in possession of an alligator at his house. Officer VanNess and Officer Seiler went to the residence to interview the subject. The subject denied possession of the alligator and offered to show the officers around his yard. As the officers were walking in the back yard, Officer Seiler noticed an aquarium inside the house through a window. Upon further inspection and questioning, the subject admitted to having four alligators in the aquarium. The appropriate paper work was issued for the possession of American alligators.
CLAY COUNTY
Officers LaRosa and Justus received a complaint of a vessel with several people drinking and throwing bottles in the water on Black Creek. Officers Larosa and Justus arrived on the scene and observed the operator as he attached the vessel onto a trailer and had a friend pull him out of the water. Officer LaRosa made contact with the operator of the vessel and requested that he stand by so that she could conduct a boater’s safety inspection. Officer LaRosa noticed signs of impairment and after field sobriety tasks, arrested the operator for boating under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to Clay County Jail. The operator consented to a breath test and was found to have a Breath Alcohol Level of .150.
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Lieutenant Huff, K-9 Officer Gill and McGrath responded to a missing tuber on the Santa Fe River around Ginnie Springs. The reported tuber had been missing for over three hours. After a short search, the tuber was located and returned to the group.
DUVAL COUNTY
Officer Hayes was on routine patrol on Little Talbot Island State Park conducting fisheries inspections when he met a subject who was not in possession of a resident shoreline saltwater fishing license. Officers Sweat and Allgood were advised of the incident and arrived at the scene. A National Crime Information Center/Florida Crime Information Center (NCIC/FCIC) check revealed an active warrant for failure to appear on a charge of retail theft out of Baker County, Florida. Officer Hayes issued the subject a warning for having no fishing license. Officer Hayes transported the subject to the Duval County Jail where she was booked into jail by Officer Allgood for the outstanding
warrant.
HAMILTON COUNTY
Officer Nichols was patrolling the area of Bee Haven Bay in Hamilton County when Officer Nichols observed a truck and boat about to leave the lake. A resource inspection was conducted on the two fishermen and it was found that both fishermen had a total of 81 speckled perch, of which 31 were over the daily bag limit. Officer Nichols issued each of the fishermen a citation for possession of over the daily bag limit of speckled perch. The fish were seized and donated to a local soup kitchen in Lake City.
SUWANNEE COUNTY
At 10:30 pm, Lieutenant Creech and Officer Langford were dispatched to the Suwannee River State Park due to concern for overdue boaters. The two men had filed a float plan with their family which estimated their arrival between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. The Officers launched a patrol vessel and located the raft approximately one mile south of Gibson Park. Both boaters were in good condition and relieved to see the night come to an end.
ASSIST TO NW REGION
Canine Officer Gill and his dog Friar travelled to Wakulla County in response to a request for canine article search support from the Wakulla Sheriff’s Office and the FWC canine handler in Wakulla County. The two FWC officers and their dogs were successful in recovering evidence associated with a violent crime the Sheriff’s Office was investigating.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officer LaRosa attended Ridgeview Elementary School in Middleburg, Clay County, to discuss Animal Safety and the identification of native Florida animals to the school’s first grade classes. FWC biologists brought their mounted animal display trailer. There were approximately 70 students in attendance.
SOUTHWEST REGION
HILLSBOUROUGH COUNTY
Officers Wise, Baker, Berg, Burks and Lieutenant Burton conducted a detail in the vicinity of Davis Island and Ballast Point in upper Tampa Bay, as a result of commercial Blue Crabbers alleging that their traps were being robbed on a regular basis. The officers set up in various locations waiting to see if the traps would be robbed. After several hours of surveillance, a local crabber was seen in the vicinity of Ballast Point pulling traps that did not belong to him. The FWC officer observing from land coordinated with the officers on the water and stopped the crabber. Shortly after the vessel was stopped, the officer from land verified that numerous traps were pulled were not assigned to him. The crabber later admitted to robbing the traps. He was subsequently charged with 10 counts of felony crab trap molestation, 10 counts of misdemeanor theft of blue crabs from traps, and possession of stone crabs out of season. Great effort and coordination by all involved.
Officer Martinez was on patrol in the area of Cockroach Bay Boat Ramp. While on patrol, he stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on a man returning to the ramp in his vessel. After the fisheries inspection was complete, Officer Martinez found that the fisherman was in possession of an oversized red fish. The man was given a criminal citation for possession of an oversized red fish. Red fish must be between 18 and 27 inches to possess.
LEE COUNTY
Officer McColgin was working late near the Sanibel causeway when he observed several people fishing. He watched the people fish for a while until they returned to shore when he could do a fisheries inspection. When asked if they had caught anything, one of the people showed Officer McColgin several fish which included undersized pompano, sheepshead and snapper. Misdemeanor charges were issued for the undersized fish and a written warning was issued for illegal method of catching snapper.
PASCO COUNTY
Officer Balfour and Lieutenant Parisoe were on land patrol at Anclote Key Preserve State Park. They were educating visitors on the rules of the park. Officer Balfour and Lieutenant Parisoe contacted several individuals consuming alcohol on the beach. While identifying the individuals, one provided a false name and failed to follow the officers’ direction. The individual was arrested, and charged with resisting arrest without violence and possession of alcohol by person under 21 years of age.
Officers Pulaski and Williams were on water patrol in the Pithlachascotee River when they observed a vessel violating the slow speed zone. A vessel stop was initiated for the violation. During the stop the operator was showing signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks were conducted, which led to the individual’s arrest for boating under the influence. He was taken to the Pasco County Jail where he provided a breath sample measuring .143 (BAC).
PASCO COUNTY COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officer Balfour and Lieutenant Parisoe participated in an outreach event at Anclote Key Preserve State Park. Twenty-two youths were in attendance as part of a local program teaching foster children outdoor activities. The youths participated in fishing, kayaking, and a scavenger hunt. The event provided information on the duties of being an FWC Officer.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Officers Bibler and Cason responded to a boating accident in the area of the Fourth Street Boat Ramp in St. Petersburg. Two juveniles were operating the personal watercraft (PWC). The operators were injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment. One of the operators was identified as a run-away juvenile and the St. Petersburg Police were contacted. Officer Bibler issued a citation to one of the parents for allowing a person under 14 years of age to operate a PWC.
SOUTH REGION A
GLADES COUNTY
Officer Nasworth was dispatched to the Fish Eating Creek camp ground in regards to an alligator bite. Upon Officer Nasworth arrival he made contact with the complainant who advised him that one of the camper’s dogs just got bit by a gator and that the camper shot the gator. The complainant advised that the camper provided him with his phone number and advised that he was taking his dog to the veteran emergency room to be treated for its wounds. Officer Nasworth made contact with the camper who advised that he was standing at the water’s edge with his dog when a gator lunged out of the water and grabbed his dog. The camper advised that the gator began to pull his dog into the water at which time he shot the gator 3 times with snake shot to get his dog free. The camper advised that the gator let go of his dog then reengaged trying to pull it back into the water at which time he shot the gator 2 more times with his .22 pistol. The camper advised that the gator let go of his dog which sustained injuries to its hind quarters and will be receiving stiches
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Officer Hankinson was heading southbound on the Florida Turnpike when he observed a wrecked vehicle on fire in the northbound lanes. Officer Hankinson made a U-turn at the 110 mile marker emergency turnaround and immediately contacted dispatch with the location and details. A Good Samaritan arrived on scene simultaneously and he went to the vehicle with Officer Hankinson to help extinguish the flames. As they attempted to suppress the fire, Officer Hankinson tried to open the doors, but they were locked. Officer Hankinson broke the back driver side window with his baton, but could not find the driver door handle due to the smoke and various elements. He then broke the driver side window and was able to open the door. The subject was slumped over the driver seat, leaning towards the center console and making a light murmur. At this time, the flames engulfed the vehicle and Officer Hankinson pulled the subject out onto the ground. The Samaritan and Officer Hankinson pulled the subject away from the scene to safety. Once the subject was positioned in front of the patrol vehicle, Officer Hankinson assessed vital signs and obvious injuries. Officer Hankinson attempted to keep the subject conscious and slow the facial bleeding with first aid. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue transported the subject to St. Mary’s Hospital.
SOUTH REGION B
COLLIER COUNTY
Lieutenant Walsh conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was unable to stay in a single lane. Officer Lugg arrived to assist. After initially complaining of health issues, the driver was cleared by EMS. Seated field sobriety tasks were performed by the driver which led the Officers to believe that the driver was probably impaired. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence. During an inventory of the vehicle, Officer Lugg found open containers of beer and vodka. The subject was taken to the Naples Jail where a breath alcohol test resulted in a 0.386 and 0.378 g/210L breathe alcohol concentration, nearly 5 times the legal limit. The driver was booked into the Naples Jail.
Officers Despian, Johnson and White responded to a boating accident at a fuel dock in Marco Island. Upon arrival, it was determined that a 38 foot vessel had damaged a fuel dock. When Officer Johnson approached the vessel to talk to the operator, she had trouble waking him. The operator began showing signs of impairment and exhibited the odor of an alcoholic substance. After a lengthy interview regarding the accident, the operator’s passenger told the Officers that the operator had been drinking all day. The operator completed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus task, but then refused to complete all other tasks. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence.
Officer Barringer, Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the park staff at Delnor-Wiggin’s Pass State Park responded to a missing four year old child on the beach inside the state park. After contacting the mother of the child, the Officers found the child one half mile from the last know location. The little girl was unharmed and in good condition. She was reunited with her mother.
Officer James Futch was on land patrol in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area when a vehicle approached him and stopped. While Officer Futch was speaking with the subjects about what they were doing in the WMA, he detected a strong smell of burnt cannabis coming from the vehicle. The subjects admitted to smoking marijuana and gave Officer Futch their remaining marijuana and a pipe, which field tested positive for marijuana. The subjects were issued Notice to Appears for possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Lieutenant Williams and Officers Futch, Polly, Reams, Tolbert and White participated in a Panther Zone enforcement detail to provide resource protection by enforcing the posted speed limits within the designated zones. The Officers issued 2 Resource Citations, 9 Warnings and 56 Uniform Traffic Citations.
Officer Barringer organized and conducted extra law enforcement patrol details in Delnor-Wiggin’s Pass State Park throughout the Memorial holiday weekend. FWC Officers, Collier County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and CCSO Volunteer Service Aids attended this three day “extra patrol” inside the park. Officers wrote citations for unlawful speed, consumption of alcohol and evasion of park fees.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Officers from Miami Dade County located and photographed crab traps that were left in the water past the end of the crabbing season and long after the grace period granted to fishermen due to extenuating circumstances. The owners of the traps were contacted and given the option to remove the traps before the officers would start issuing citations, many took advantage of this opportunity.
Officers from Miami Dade County participated in “Operation Lights Out”, an operation specifically organized to target boaters who fail to use navigational lights at night. Marine partners from city, county, state and federal agencies participated in the detail that culminated in the issuance of 94 citations and 18 written warnings. Fifty of the citations written were for noncompliance with the laws pertaining to the use of navigational lights at night. Additionally, there were 3 arrests, one of which was for an outstanding FWC warrant out of Martin County.
Officer Perez was on water patrol in Biscayne Bay when he came across an injured loggerhead turtle that was having difficulty swimming. Officer Perez delicately maneuvered his vessel alongside the turtle and managed to grab the turtle and bring it on board his vessel. The ailing turtle was transported to the Miami Sea Aquarium where it is expected to make a full recovery.
MONROE COUNTY
Captain Beaton, Lieutenant Haney, and Officer Dri attended a court hearing for a boating under the influence arrest made during last year’s Columbus Day weekend. The defendant plead guilty to BUI and was mandated to pay a $2,000 fine, serve 150 hours of community service, and serve 6 months of probation. Additionally, the defendant has to relinquish his vessel for 10 days, attend DUI School and participate in a narcotics anonymous course three times a week.
Officer Mattson and Trueblood were on vessel patrol in the upper Keys when they saw two subjects fishing from private property. The officers proceeded to conduct a fisheries inspection only to discover that one of the subjects was in possession of an undersized yellow tail. As a result the subject was cited for being in possession of an undersized yellow tail and both men were warned not to trespass again.
Officers Golden and Richards were on water patrol near Molasses Key when they saw two men spearfishing without a divers down flag. The officers approached the duo and asked the fishermen for their fishing license. The two responded that they did not have their fishing license on them however, they did have their fishing license on the nearby island where the men were camping. As the officers escorted the men back to the island they saw a woman remove a cooler from the camp site and conceal it in some bushes. Once on shore the officers retrieved the cooler in question and discovered several undersized lobsters in the cooler. After questioning the two men confessed to harvesting the lobster. The pair was charged with being in possession of spiny lobster during the closed season and for possession of undersized lobster. They were also cited for interfering with an FWC officer and not displaying a divers down flag.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officer Dube as well as members from the Coast Guard Station in Islamorada collaborated to teach the “Boat Smart” course to 25 students at the History of Diving Museum. All the attendees received instruction on the proper use of a GPS and the laws pertaining to boating.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement