April 17, 2015 thru April 23, 2015
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
BAY COUNTY
Officers Price, Brady, and N. Basford worked a detail targeting commercial personal watercraft vendors on Panama City Beach. One vendor did not have the required insurance and required signage posted. A citation was issued for the insurance violation and a written warning given for the signage.
As Officer Price pulled over to check a fisherman in a canoe, the fisher said, “I don’t know if this fish is legal, I don’t have a measuring device.” In the bottom of the canoe was a 33 inch redfish and in a cooler a 30 inch redfish was found. Citations were issued for the oversized fish.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Manning investigated and found a local seafood restaurant was acquiring cobia for the menu without having the proper licensing. The person supplying the fish did not have a commercial license and the restaurant did not have a wholesale license. Officer Manning issued a criminal citation for the violations.
HOLMES COUNTY
Officer Kinney concluded an investigation of armed trespass and theft that occurred in January. The initial complaint was filed for someone trespassing onto private property, killing two hogs in a trap, taking them, and stealing an SD card from a game camera. The case went cold, but with the location of a witness, Officer Kinney was able to gain information that resulted in warrants being filed and a suspect being arrested for armed trespass and two counts of theft.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Jones conducted a fishery inspection of a vehicle as the occupants prepared to leave after fishing at the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. The inspection revealed three persons in possession of seven king mackerel. The bag limit is two fish per person per day. Officer Jones issued a citation for possession of over the bag limit.
NORTHEAST REGION
OSCEOLA COUNTY
While on patrol, Lieutenant Fugate, Investigator Trusley and Officer Conlin were on private property when they heard a gunshot. Lieutenant Fugate located a man loading a turkey into an off road vehicle in the area where the shot originated. There was bird seed, fresh blood, and feathers approximately 15 yards from the man’s blind. Lieutenant Fugate and Investigator Trusley followed the man back to camp where Officer Conlin met up with them. After interviewing the subject, he admitted to knowingly hunting over bait and charges were filed accordingly. During the interview with the subject, the officers learned that there was another subject hunting over bait on the same hunt lease. The officers located the man and interviewed him. The subject continuously lied the whole time and changed his story repeatedly. After a short while the subject admitted to placing the bait on both hunt sites and knowingly hunting over bait. He stated he only did it because he does not know how to call turkeys. Charges were filed accordingly.
Officer Conlin responded to a trespass incident on private property where two individuals had trespassed onto another lease and installed a feeder. The individuals had shot a turkey and been caught by the lease holder while trying to exit the property. The individuals stated they had been over 100 yards from the bait site. Officer Conlin investigated the site and determined that the individuals had been hunting within 80 feet of the bait site. Through subsequent interviews, Officer Conlin gained a full confession of the violation. The appropriate charges were filed.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
BAKER COUNTY
Officer Burnsed was working a turkey bait site in a private hunt club in Baker County when he observed a hunter drive in before daybreak and fill a bait site with whole corn. The corn was at an estimated 15 yards from a turkey blind and a short time later Officer Burnsed observed the hunter getting into the hunting blind. The hunter immediately started to work a box call when Officer Burnsed made contact with the hunter, identified himself and ask to conduct a hunting inspection. The hunter was issued a notice to appear for attempting to take turkey over bait.
DUVAL COUNTY
Lieutenant Arkin was conducting fisheries inspections in Jacksonville and he noticed that the subjects working in the back of the store seemed to be acting nervous. Lieutenant Arkin did a background check on the owner and employees through the Jacksonville Regional Communication Center dispatch. A male employee had an active warrant issued by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for violation of probation in reference to possession of drug paraphernalia. A female employee had an active warrant issued by the Florida Commission on Offender Review (aka Florida Parole Commission). The warrant was for violation of parole in reference to felony prostitution more than three times. Lieutenant Arkin transported and completed the docket on the male subject while Officer McGregor transported and completed the docket on the female subject. The business owner was issued a written warning for a quality control violation by Officer Schirbock.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
FWC Officers from the Resource Protection Unit focused on a Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) offshore patrol, responding to complaints from several local fishermen in reference to anglers retaining snapper and grouper during the closed season in Duval County. Over the course of one week, they made several cases for fisheries violations including three federal red snapper cases and one federal grouper case. They also cited violations for cobia, vermillion snapper, black sea bass and commercially-chartered licensing violations.
SOUTHWEST REGION
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Officer Cohl worked a single vessel boating accident around 11:30 PM on the Peace River. The operator was using a GPS unit to navigate and ran into the shoreline of mangroves. The injuries and vessel damage were minor. The operator was cited for improper lookout.
HERNANDO COUNTY
Officer Pulaski and Fagan were at the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp conducting boating safety and resource inspections. During an inspection of a commercial fishing vessel, they observed several empty beer bottles and noticed the operator showing signs of impairment. Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted and the operator was subsequently arrested for boating under the influence. He was transported without incident to the Hernando County Jail, where he refused to provide a breath sample.
LEE COUNTY
While on water patrol in the Boca Grande Pass area, Officers Morrison and Cohl perform a safety check on a vessel that was tied up to the Phosphate Docks. During the inspection a spear gun was noticed on the deck. In the cooler were two snook that had puncture holes, you may only possess one snook per person. The snook were over the legal size to possess. The operator did not have a fishing license or snook stamp. The operator was charged with over the bag limit and illegal method of take for the 39” and 37.5” snook.
Officers Morrow and Bryson were dispatched to the Salty Sam’s Marina, in Fort Myers Beach to investigate the report of a 40 foot cabin cruiser that collided into a docked vessel. There were several people onboard the vessel and no one was injured, however, a significant amount of damage was discovered to both vessels. There was also minor damage to the dock. The operator was issued a written warning for careless operation.
Investigator Cooke was assigned to the tarpon detail in Boca Grande Pass. For the months of April, May and June, Boca Grande Pass is a highly regulated tarpon fishing area. Investigator Cooke observed a fishing vessel which appeared to be live bait fishing for tarpon. Investigator Cooke initiated a stop and upon inspection observed both fishing poles were rigged with breakaway fishing gear (the lead sinkers). It was also determined they were on a charter with seven people on the boat and the Captain only had a 4 pack (State) fishing license. The Captain was cited for both the fishing license ticket and the breakaway gear.
Officer McColgin observed a truck and two individuals selling shrimp at a busy intersection in Lehigh. He watched for several minutes and observed the individuals sell shrimp for cash. Officer McColgin approached the individuals to conduct a retail license inspection. When asked for a retail license, one of the individuals said they had a permit from the Department Of Agriculture to sell shrimp. Further inspection revealed that they only had an application for a permit from the Department Of Agriculture and did not even have any type of valid permit. Officer McColgin educated the individuals on selling saltwater products and issued a misdemeanor citation for not possessing a valid retail license.
Officer Price observed three people fishing along a mangrove shoreline in Estero Bay. They were carrying a cooler which appeared to contain fish. Officer Price contacted Officer McColgin to come and assist. From where he was, Officer Price relayed information to Officer McColgin about what the subjects looked like and what they were doing. Officer McColgin was able to position himself where he could see the people return to shore and load up some fish in the back of a van. As the people began to drive away, Officer McColgin stopped the van to conduct a marine fisheries inspection. When asked about the fish, the driver said they had some snapper and sheepshead. The man showed Officer McColgin the fish and inside the cooler were several undersized sheepshead and snapper. When asked for his identification, the man said he did not have a valid driver’s license. At this time, Officer Price arrived and continued the inspection. The people were educated on the regulations that apply to sheepshead and snapper and were issued the appropriate misdemeanor citations.
LEE COUNTY COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officer Morrow led a round table discussion with a group of local paragliders on the regulations in the Lee County area. In attendance were representatives from Fort Myers Beach, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Parks and Recreation as well as Lovers Key and Estero Bay Preserve State Parks. There were approximately 15 people in attendance.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Officer Beeler was on patrol in the area of War Veteran’s Park. He was conducting boating safety as well as fisheries inspections. During inspections, he noticed one operator was showing signs of impairment. Officer Beeler conducted field sobriety testing on the vessel operator. The vessel operator was determined to be impaired and was arrested for boating under the influence. Additionally, he had an active warrant out for his arrest. The subject was transported to Pinellas County Jail.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
The Lauderhill Police Department called FWC dispatch for assistance. Investigator Teems, along with Officer Mirabal responded. A Lauderhill officer relayed the following: A juvenile on the way to school allegedly shot an Ibis with a pellet gun. A witness to the incident was contacted and a statement was given. The Lauderhill Officer already had custody of the individual. The juvenile was placed under arrest by the Lauderhill Police Officer for cruelty to animals and carrying a weapon into a school. Investigator Teems also charged the individual for killing/harassing of a migratory bird. The individual was taken by the Lauderhill Police to the Juvenile Assessment Center. The Ibis was taken by the Wildlife Care Center of Ft. Lauderdale. The bird had to be euthanized due to the extent of its injuries from the pellet gun.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
While working a safety detail on Lake Okeechobee, Officer Toby was flagged down by two individuals in a vessel near South Bay. The individuals stated that their motor had broken the day prior and they had been stranded on the water since that point. After concluding that the two individuals did not need medical assistance, Officer Toby had them board his vessel for safety reasons and began to hip tow their disabled vessel the few miles back to the boat ramp. During initial passenger identification, one of the individuals was shown to have an active warrant for his arrest from Glades County for a fishing license violation from 1998. Officer Toby was able to safely tow the disabled vessel and two individuals back to the boat ramp. At this time, Officer Toby met with Officer Lafoy and proceeded to inform the individual of his active warrant and placed him under arrest. The individual was then taken to the Palm Beach County Jail for the warrant.
While on water patrol in Palm Beach County, K-9 Officer Kirkland and Officer Hankinson stopped a vessel due to a violation of the slow speed zone. During the boating safety inspection, it became apparent the operator of the vessel was impaired. Officer Kirkland administered the afloat field sobriety tasks to the operator which confirmed their suspicions. After completing some of the tasks the operator became very hostile, jumped in the water and swam to shore. Officer Hankinson quickly beached both boats and Officer Kirkland deployed K-9 Zeus. K-9 Zeus tracked the subject across Burt Reynolds Park to another trail leading back out to the water. The subject was then seen crossing the channel and exiting the water on the other side in the neighborhood of Jupiter River Park. Officer Kirkland, Hankinson and K-9 Zeus quickly made their way across the channel and found Officer Godward detaining the subject in handcuffs.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POILICING
The 23rd annual Florida Sportsman Expo was held at the Saint Lucie County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierce for the first time. Multiple vendors were in attendance showcasing everything to do with the out of doors; Boats, RV’s, Kayaks, ATV’s, Guns, Archery and Camping. Seminars were also being offered on topics like inshore and offshore fishing, surf and fly fishing, hunting tactics and kids events like a touch tank. Officer Phillips, Investigator Turner and Lieutenant Rogerson also attended and assisted with the FWC information booth. Other FWC divisions were also in attendance representing Salt and Freshwater fisheries, just to name a few.
The Fort Pierce Inlet has resumed normal vessel traffic after a barge sunk there more than six weeks ago, restricting traffic to the north side of the channel and to vessels with a draft of six feet or less. The barge was removed this past week in three sections, after the salvage company cut it using a modified I beam. Using sophisticated electronic equipment they were able to cut the barge in thirds and then recover the debris bringing it on board the salvage barge. During salvage operations the area was designated a safety zone by USCG which also restricted vessel wake. Vessel traffic was directed around the salvage operation which ran 24 hours a day. Officers with the Sheriff’s Department, Ft. Pierce Police, USCG and all local FWC personnel: Officers Fretwell, Irwin, Payne, Investigators Turner and Luher and Lieutenant Rogerson, manned patrol boats and rotated shifts until work was completed.
Officer Fretwell was on vessel patrol when he came in contact with a vessel returning to a local boat ramp. Several adults and children were onboard. Officer Fretwell made contact with the operator and asked if they had done any good and had any fish on board. The subject responded that they did ok and had a dolphin. When asked to see the dolphin, Officer Fretwell observed several grouper and yellow tail snapper. A more extensive inspection revealed five red grouper. When asked if they knew the season was closed, the subject replied that they were confused about it due to conflicting information they read on their “law stick”. When Officer Fretwell asked to see the law stick it clearly stated that grouper was closed from January 01 to April 30. The grouper were seized and the subject received a Notice to Appear for the violation. A warning was also issued for another resource violation.
SOUTH REGION B
COLLIER COUNTY
Officers Thurkettle and Van Trees found several garbage bags of debris that appeared to be illegally dumped on private property. During an inspection of the garbage bags, they found several documents with an address and located a large sign from a business. An internet search of the business revealed the same address that was on the documents. The Officers then went to the address, which is now occupied by a different business entity. While at the address they interviewed the owner of the business and during the interview (post Miranda), the owner stated that he recently renovated the business and admitted to illegally dumping the waste on private property. The private property owner was contacted and stated that he did not give anyone permission to place anything on his property. The business owner was arrested and booked into the Collier County Jail for violation of the Florida Litter Law.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Lieutenant Smith and Officer Pino were patrolling the waters off of Houlover Inlet when they were dispatched to a manatee in distress near Sunny Isle Beach. When the officers arrived on scene they discovered a 6’ manatee floating with no signs of life. Lieutenant Smith delicately secured the manatee to the starboard side of the vessel as Officer Pino maneuvered the vessel away from some nearby rocks. The manatee was taken to Houlover Marina where FWC biologist removed the manatee and transported it to their facility in order to try and determine the cause of death.
MONROE COUNTY
Officer Mattson and Officer Hein were on water patrol in the area of the Islamorada Sandbar in the upper Keys when they observed a PWC speeding through the slow speed zone. To compound the problem the PWC did not have a Florida registration number displayed. While Officer Hein was conducting the boating safety stop he detected signs of impairment. Officer Hein asked the Miami man if he would perform field sobriety tests and the subject agreed. The subject was subsequently arrested for boating under the influence and taken to the Plantation Key Jail.
Officer Mattson and Hein were patrolling the waters off of Buttonwood Sound in the upper Keys at night when they saw a vessel with no navigational lights. The officers stopped the vessel and conducted a boating safety inspection. Officer Mattson immediately noticed 4 liquor bottles which were almost empty on the vessel. The operator was asked if he would perform some field sobriety tests, which he agreed to. Once the tests were completed the officers determined that the subject was indeed impaired and was subsequently arrested for operating a vessel while impaired. He was then taken to Plantation Key Jail for processing.
Officer Mattson and Hein were on water patrol in the area of the Whale Harbor Sandbar when they saw a 16’ vessel clearly overloaded with 6 people on board. The officers stopped the vessel and immediately saw several empty beer cans on the deck of the vessel. The officers conducted a thorough safety inspection and discovered that the captain/operator was missing all of the required safety gear. The operator was asked if he would be willing to perform some field sobriety tests and he agreed. It soon became evident to the officers that the subject was impaired. He was issued 8 citations and arrested for operating a vessel while impaired.
Officer Hein was on water patrol near Tavernier Creek when he identified a suspicious recreational vessel with a large carpet draped over the side and a man standing on the gunnel with gloves on. Officer Hein proceeded past the suspicious vessel only to set up surveillance about 400 yards away. After watching the occupants pull several stone crab traps onto the vessel, Officer Hein initiated a vessel stop. It was determined that the occupants had pulled a commercial stone crab trap with fictitious buoys. The individual that pulled the trap was arrested for Felony Trap Molestation and was also cited for not displaying the “R” permanently on his trap buoys and not having a valid saltwater fishing license. The subject was transported to Plantation Key Detention Facility.
Lieutenant Riesz along with members from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Customs and Boarder Protection and the Florida Highway Patrol were working a joint operation targeting criminal activity in the upper Keys. During the operation a Monroe County Deputy stopped a truck towing a boat with no trailer tie downs. During the course of the initial interview the driver of the truck told the deputy that he had just loaded the vessel on to the trailer after a daylong fishing trip. The driver also added that he had a cooler full of yellowtail snapper and a single grouper. Lieutenant Riesz was summoned to the scene in order to conduct a fisheries inspection. The inspection revealed 1 red grouper, 23” long, as well as other legal fish inside the cooler. The subject was ultimately charged with possession of a red grouper during the closed season.
Officer Johnson and Officer Richards were patrolling the off shore waters of Key West on board the Interceptor when they saw a charter vessel anchored in state waters north of Ellis Rock. The officers saw three divers in the water armed with spear guns and one man fishing from the stern of the vessel. The officers came alongside the vessel and conducted a fisheries inspection only to discover 11 red grouper, which are out season, in a cooler. The captain was sited accordingly.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report