Illegal moonshine still possession among FWC incidents

[Special to the Press Gazette]

MILTON — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission filed these cases between Nov. 3 and Nov. 9 in Santa Rosa County:

SANTA ROSA COUNTY 

  • Officer Hutchinson contacted the Department of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and informed them about an illegal moonshine still that he and Lieutenant Hahr located while investigating a deer poaching case.

    After speaking with an investigator and passing along the information to them, they drove to the suspect’s residence where the still was located. They contacted the suspect, who admitted to possessing the still and making moonshine.

    While speaking with the suspect, the officers observed two more whiskey stills near his shed. They gained consent to search the property and, with the help of two other ABT investigators, they located other items used to make moonshine.

    A felony warrant was later issued for the suspect’s arrest for the possession of the illegal moonshine stills. 

  • While on patrol in the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area, Officer Mullins observed subjects at a state forest primitive recreation area.

    Officer Mullins spoke with the subjects and discovered one subject was in possession of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and alcohol in a posted "no alcohol area."

    The subject was issued a citation for possession of cannabis under 20 grams. 

  • Officer Ramos concluded an investigation leading to the arrest of a Navarre resident for the unlawful taking of a black bear shot in a resident’s yard in October.

    A thorough investigation of evidence and statements provided by witnesses and involved parties was reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office. The presiding judge concurred with the arrest affidavit and approved the arrest warrant.

    The suspect was booked into the county jail for the unlawful taking of a black bear. 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY 

  • Detectives with the Pensacola Police Department began an investigation during September into what was originally reported as a missing persons case.

    As the case developed, detectives began to suspect foul play and, through their investigation, believed that the victim was possibly located on a farm in Cantonment.

    The Pensacola Police Department requested assistance from FWC due to the wooded terrain in the area and the FWC’s expertise in this type of landscape.

    Officers McHenry, Pettey and Hoomes responded to assist with locating the victim. After an extensive search, which included heavily wooded and wetland areas, the officers located the victim’s remains.

    The discovery of the remains led to an arrest of a suspect by the Pensacola Police Department.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Illegal moonshine still possession among FWC incidents