Meatheads: 3 Weeks Worth

February 21, 2020 through February 27, 2020

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

CASES

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officers Wilkenson and Roberson responded to a night hunting complaint about an individual on an ATV with a loaded rifle. The subject trespassed onto a hunt club property nearby. K-9 Officer Hutchinson arrived to assist, and the subject was located. The subject admitted to hunting on the property at night with a gun using his ATV lights. He was cited accordingly.

K-9 Officer Hutchinson was patrolling a road adjacent to the Blackwater State Forest when he observed a bright light being shined into the tree line after sunset. The light was being shined from a subject who was riding a bicycle and holding a hunting rifle. Officer Hutchinson conducted a stop on the bicycle and the subject admitted to shining the light to look for wildlife. Officer Hutchinson seized the rifle and the subject was cited accordingly.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

CASES

BAKER COUNTY

Officer Burnsed located a bait site in the John Bethea State Forest portion of Osceola WMA. He documented the site and monitored it for activity. After a few days Officer Burnsed found two hunters, hunting over the bait. One hunter admitted to placing the bait and the other hunter admitted to adding fresh bait, prior to hunting. Both hunters were cited accordingly.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Officer Yates received information through the agency Wildlife Alert program of individuals taking over the bag limit of largemouth bass. Officer Yates identified two individuals that were involved in harvesting a total of thirteen largemouth bass from a local lake. After interviewing the two involved, a confession was obtained. The appropriate charges were direct filed with the Columbia County State Attorney’s Office.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

MADISON COUNTY

Officer Vazquez participated in the law portion of a hunter safety course in Madison. This course allows participants to learn and interact with conservation law enforcement on hunting safety topics. Numerous questions were answered about conservation enforcement, public safety and various hunting issues.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

SUWANNEE COUNTY

Lieutenant Humphries and Officers Boone and Davenport responded to a request for assistance from the Suwannee County Sheriff Office and EMS. At a local boat ramp, a subject’s vessel was pulled away by the swift current of the Suwannee River. The subject was last seen floating down the river hanging onto the side of the boat in distress. Officers Davenport and Boone quickly responded and rescued the subject.

LEVY COUNTY

Officer Fox was on patrol at the Highway 40 boat ramp in Yankeetown when he noticed a commercial oyster vessel with two harvesters coming into the boat ramp. Officer Fox conducted a resource inspection on the vessel and Officer Suttles arrived to assist. The harvesters had 16 bushels of oysters on board. The oysters were not tagged as required. The subjects were cited accordingly, and the oysters were returned to the water.

Officer Fox was on patrol near Yankeetown Marina when he conducted a resource inspection on a commercial oyster vessel. The inspection revealed that 24% of the oysters inspected were undersize. Officer Fox cited the subjects accordingly.

NORTHEAST REGION

CASES

BREVARD COUNTY

Officer Maslo conducted an inspection of a man fishing under a bridge. Her inspection revealed the man was wanted out of Leon County for writing worthless checks over $1,500. The man was placed under arrest for the warrant and delivered to the Brevard County Jail.

LAKE COUNTY

Officer Teal and Lieutenant Chase observed a vehicle traveling at a slow rate of speed, shining a spotlight from the driver’s side into an open field. A stop was initiated, and the subject had a concealed firearm and a rifle with an additional light affixed. The rifle also had a bullet chambered. The subject admitted to hunting from the roadway and was cited appropriately.

Officer Sweet received information about an illegally taken deer. Officers Phillips, Teal and Sweet investigated identified a subject. The subject admitted to shooting the deer using his vehicle headlights in the middle of a county road. The officers seized an eight-point buck and the appropriate charges were filed with the State Attorney’s Office.

SOUTHWEST REGION

CASES

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Officers Hazelwood, Garcia, Salem, Price and Lieutenant Ruggiero responded to a call at a local management area about a lost woman and found two deputies talking with a male and female subject. After an investigation, the FWC Officers arrested the man for domestic violence and delivered him to the county jail.

MANATEE COUNTY

Officers Hughes, Godfrey, Alvis, Investigator Williams and Lieutenant Wells conducted a multi-day offshore patrol on the 85’ Offshore Patrol Vessel Gulf Sentry. The officers were focusing on inspecting commercial reef fish vessels for compliance with state and federal laws. They were approximately forty nautical miles west of Manatee County when they inspected a commercial longline vessel. The officers issuing the vessel captain/owner warnings for no current saltwater products license with a restricted species endorsement on board and no federal reef fish permit with a longline endorsement on board. A federal citation was issued for inadequate turtle mitigation gear onboard.

While patrolling the South Skyway Relief Bridge, Officer Gonzales observed two subjects fishing from the bridge. A fisheries inspection revealed that one of the subjects had caught and was in possession of fourteen gray snapper. All fourteen gray snapper were less than ten inches in length. The gray snapper were seized and returned to the water and the subject was issued a notice to appear.

While patrolling the South Skyway Relief Bridge, Officer Gonzales observed a individual fishing under the bridge. A fisheries inspection revealed the subject was in possession of thirteen gray snapper. All thirteen gray snapper were less than ten inches in length. The gray snapper were seized and returned to water and the subject was issued a notice to appear.

While patrolling the South Skyway fishing area, Officer Dalton observed several individuals fishing near the bridge. Fishery inspections of the subjects revealed one of the anglers had caught and was in possession of eighteen gray snapper and four sheepshead. All eighteen gray snapper were less than ten inches in length and two of the sheepshead were less than twelve inches in length. The gray snapper and undersized sheepshead were seized and returned to the water and the subject was issued a notice to appear.

While patrolling the South Skyway Relief Bridge, Officer Gonzales observed two subjects carrying fishing equipment while walking to their vehicle from the bridge. One of the subjects saw Officer Gonzales and tossed a bait bucket into the nearby bushes. Officer Gonzales retrieved the bucket and found a spotted seatrout along with a gray snapper and a sheepshead in the bucket. The subject was issued a notice to appear.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Officer Godfrey and Officer Specialist Alvis were working commercial individual fishing quota (IFQ) landings for grouper/snapper commercial vessels. They noticed that a vessel was landing before the required advance three-hour notification. The officers contacted the captain of the vessel and explained the violation to him. The officers also ran a check on the captain and found an active warrant out of Lee County for fisheries violations. The captain was arrested for the warrant and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Every year the Florida State Fair is held in Hillsborough County at the State Fairgrounds for two weeks. FWC set up a well-planned display for the public to view and understand the many roles of the Commission. Thousands of people stopped by the display and picked up informational brochures. Many questions were answered by uniformed officers and other FWC personnel.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

PASCO COUNTY

Multiple FWC personnel and agencies responded to a report of an overdue PWC out of Port Richey. Members of the United States Coast Guard, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Port Richey Police Department, Port Richey Fire Department, and Division of State Parks searched the coastline and surrounding state park boundaries. The PWC was located by the Coast Guard with no one aboard. The following morning the subject was located on a stilt house by members of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit.

SOUTH REGION A

CASES

MARTIN COUNTY

Officer Kirkland was patrolling Allapattah Flatts WMA when she observed a vehicle parked at one of the access gates. She heard a gunshot, then three more shots. A short time later two men dressed in camo and carrying shotguns came out of the woods. They admitted to hunting and harvesting snipe. The officer advised the hunters that it was closed season. They did not have a migratory bird permit and one did not have a hunting license. They were cited accordingly.

Officer Webb was contacted in reference to a vehicle off trail in the Dupuis Wildlife Environmental Area (WEA). He found a truck hidden in the bushes containing dog boxes and heard dogs in the distance. Officer Webb contacted Martin County Sheriff’s Office, who offered to assist with their air unit. The helicopter observed three subjects with five dogs pursuing wildlife illegally. The subjects were contacted and cited accordingly.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

While conducting offshore federal patrol near Palm Beach County, Officers Rogers and Schroer conducted a fisheries inspection on a local charter vessel. With paying customers on board and in possession of king mackerel, the charter captain did not have a valid saltwater charter head boat license and a federal pelagic permit required to harvest pelagic species while in federal waters. The charter captain was cited accordingly.

While on patrol in Corbett WMA, Officers Norbrothen and Merizio observed an ATV enter the area. A traffic stop was conducted, and the subject admitted to illegally entering the management area and knowing that ATVs are not allowed in the WMA. The subject was cited accordingly.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Officers Mann, Langley, and Riggs assisted FWC manatee biologists at the Boynton Beach boat ramp capture an injured manatee. The injured manatee was rescued and taken to the Miami Sea-aquarium for rehabilitation.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Officer Langley was on patrol when he spotted a drifting unmanned dinghy. The engine was up, and the vessel appeared to have broken free from a larger vessel. Officer Langley secured a line to the bow of the dinghy and towed the vessel into shore. He tracked down the owner and returned the vessel.

SOUTH REGION B

CASES

MIAMI DADE COUNTY

While conducting a boating incident investigation, Officers Osorio and Hernandez observed the vessel did not have a Florida registration number. Further investigation revealed the vessel did not have a Hull Identification Number permanently affixed and the possessor/buyer failed to transfer title and did not register the vessel as required by Florida Statute. The appropriate citations were issued, and the vessel was seized.

COLLIER COUNTY

Officer Arbogast observed an individual exiting the mangroves on the side of a local county road, adjacent to a prohibited shellfish harvesting zone. The individual possessed approximately 70 oysters, all of which were undersized and did not have a valid fishing license. He was cited accordingly, and the oysters were returned to the water.

MONROE COUNTY

Officers Thompson and Hoppe were checking shrimpers around the Jewfish Creek Bridge in the Key Largo area when Officer Hoppe observed an individual walking along a bank. After asking him to retrieve his fishing license, the subject opened his car door and the officers smelled marijuana. When asked, the subject produced a baggy with five grams of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 9.5 grams of marijuana, THC Wax concentrate (felony) and drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested for possession of felony synthetic narcotics, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and was transported to the Monroe County Jail.

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

MONROE COUNTY

FWC officers conducted an interagency cooperative effort to ensure liveaboard compliance in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys. Liveaboard vessels were checked for compliance with USCG safety equipment, registration requirements, nighttime anchor lighting, MSD compliance, and other law enforcement issues within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s “No Discharge Zone”.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

MIAMI DADE COUNTY

Officer Ingellis, Investigator Stiffler and K-9 Officer Negron provided a career day presentation at Aventura charter school in Miami Dade. They brought the K-9 for a demonstration as well as alligators. They discussed the responsibilities of an FWC officer and how to be good stewards of the environment.

Several Officers from the South Region, including Broward, Monroe, and Miami-Dade County staffed the FWC booth for the Miami International Boat Show. Officers interacted with many visitors and provided education on boating safety, agency goals, fishing and hunting, and recruitment. The total guest attendance was upwards of 100,000 people. Many stakeholders and marine organizations were given information on how to become involved with FWC special initiatives, activities, and campaigns such as the Florida coral crew.

MONROE COUNTY

Officers Kiefer and Piekenbrock met with the residents of Royal Palm Trailer Park on Big Pine Key to conduct public out-reach and answer any questions about FWC Officer duties and state fishing regulations. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Key West Police Department K-9 division were also in attendance.

Officers Sapp and Kiefer spoke to several hundred students at Sugarloaf School for Safety Day. Multiple agencies were in attendance including Key West Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Customs and Border Patrol, Florida Highway Patrol, Monroe County Fire Rescue, and Trauma Star. The event included the landing of the Trauma Star Helicopter and a demonstration by KWPD’s K-9 unit. Several vessels and other lifesaving equipment were on hand for the students to see firsthand. Officer’s Sapp and Kiefer spoke to the students about boating safety, safety gear, and making float plans.

February 28, 2020 through March 12, 2020

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past two weeks;

however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

NORTHWEST REGION

CASES

HOLMES COUNTY

Officers Tison, Letcher, Parrish and Yates worked a joint night hunting detail. Officers Tison and Parrish observed and arrested two subjects for night hunting deer and shooting from the highway right of way. The shooter shot three times at a replica deer. Appropriate citations were issued for the violations.

Lieutenant Walsingham and Officers Gore, Greene, Homan and Yates concluded an investigation which involved several subjects who trespassed while hunting and were deer dog hunting on unpermitted, private property. Other complaints associated with the night hunting investigation included taking doe deer and additional resource violations. Several suspects were identified and after a two-month investigation, criminal warrants for 40 violations were obtained. Charges included: taking deer at night, taking doe deer, convicted felons in possession of firearms, trespassing, willfully waste of game, and illegally running deer dogs without permit. The Alabama Department of Natural Resources, Holmes County Sheriff Office, and the US Marshal Service Task Force assisted with the investigation and arrest of subjects.

While on patrol, Officer Homan observed a vehicle moving slowly using lights to illuminate a field near Bonifay. The subject was a juvenile male driving with a suspended driver license. The passenger was known to the officer and had a history of fish and wildlife violations. A compound bow nocked with a broadhead tipped arrow was being used to take deer at night. Appropriate charges were filed with the State Attorney’s Office.

JACKSON COUNTY

Officer Meade received information about a suspect that shot a doe deer. He located the suspect and conducted an interview. The suspect admitted to shooting a doe the previous day and had a cooler containing the meat. The suspect also provided a picture of the deer on his cell phone. The subject was cited accordingly.

Officers Meade and D. Humphrey responded to a boating accident at Merritt’s Mill Pond. The caller reported that he and an occupant hit a stump and were thrown from their vessel. They swam to shore and were approximately 200 yards north of the boat ramp. The officers located the subjects and transported them back to the boat ramp.

LEON COUNTY

While on patrol Officer B. Johnson saw four men moving fishing equipment and coolers between their vehicles in a parking lot. He walked over to talk to them and saw large black drum that were too big to fit in the cooler. The resource inspection revealed two black drum, several weak fish and whiting, as well as nine undersized spotted sea trout. The appropriate citations were issued.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Mullins observed a vehicle shine a light from the roadway into Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The officer stopped the subjects for a resource inspection, and they admitted to shining for deer and had a shotgun in the front of the truck between them. The shotgun, ammunition, and light were seized as evidence. The subjects were each issued a misdemeanor notice to appear.

Officers in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties focused efforts on illegal night hunting activity. Officer Mullins stopped a vehicle actively shining a light. The subject had fresh blood on his pants, and upon further investigation deer hair and blood was found in the vehicle. Officers Roberson, Brown, Hutchinson, and K-9 Zara assisted in the investigation that identified multiple suspects. The investigation revealed approximately 10 deer were taken illegally, with most deer being shot at night from a roadway. Multiple sets of deer parts and firearms were seized. Charges were filed with the state attorney’s office for multiple wildlife violations.

BAY COUNTY

Reserve Officer Cooper was conducting vessel patrol in St. Andrews Bay when he saw a vessel with four people on board returning from offshore. He stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety and resource inspection. The inspection revealed a gag grouper (closed season), 15-inch red grouper (undersize) and 5 grey triggerfish. The captain of the vessel took responsibility for the violations and was issued appropriate citations and warnings.

Reserve Officer Cooper was conducting vessel patrol in St. Andrews Bay when he saw a vessel with two people on board returning from offshore. He stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety and resource inspection. The inspection revealed two undersize grey triggerfish. The captain of the vessel took responsibility for the undersize fish and was issued the appropriate citation.

GULF COUNTY

Senior Officer Specialist M. Webb was on water patrol at the Highland View Bridge. He conducted a resource inspection on three men which found 12 redfish, two of which were undersized. When questioned, the men claimed they didn’t know the daily bag limit or size limit on redfish. Officer Webb provided the men with current copies of the saltwater regulations and issued the appropriate citations and warnings.

Officer Gerber was conducting resource inspections underneath the Highland View Bridge. He found one individual in possession of three undersize spotted seatrout and one undersize redfish. The appropriate citations and warnings were issued.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officer Corbin observed a vessel return to a local boat ramp. As he pulled into the parking lot, he observed a subject remove a greater amberjack from the vessel and hand it to a subject on the dock. The subjects noticed his patrol vehicle and returned the greater amberjack to the vessel. A resource inspection was conducted, and an undersized greater amberjack was located on the vessel. A notice to appear citation was issued to the captain of the vessel for harvesting a greater amberjack during the closed season.

While on water patrol Officer Corbin located a vessel anchored on state waters without an anchor light and an expired registration decal was attached to the vessel. Officer Corbin contacted the registered owner of the vessel who advised he sold the vessel and provided the subject’s name who purchased the vessel. Officer Corbin located the new vessel owner who stated he had purchased the vessel seven months ago. The owner of the vessel was issued a notice to appear citation for failure to transfer title within 30 days and a citation for no navigational lights.

Officer Corbin was on land patrol when he queried a vehicle tag that returned to a stolen vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the driver was detained. The driver was unable to provide a driver’s license or insurance for the vehicle. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist. A deputy removed the passenger from the vehicle and observed him making movements in a manner to conceal something under the passenger seat. The owner of the vehicle arrived on scene and gave permission to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle small bags of drugs were located along with other drug paraphernalia. Both subjects were arrested and charged accordingly. The driver was also charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license-habitual offender.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

HOLMES COUNTY

Officer Yates assisted with the Bonifay FWC hunter safety class by teaching the law portion of the class. Thirteen students were in attendance

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

CASES

NASSAU COUNTY

Officer Sweat was on patrol and he found several items from a woman’s purse. Further investigation revealed the articles belonged to a person whose vehicle was burglarized the night before. Everything was recovered except a firearm. The articles were turned over to the sheriff’s office for further processing.

DUVAL COUNTY

Officer Schirbock was notified of a deceased American Bald Eagle in Jacksonville. Upon arrival, he located the eagle that appeared to be a juvenile that was kicked out of the nest. He retrieved the eagle and sent it to the National Eagle Depository for the determination of death.

Officer Gilmore, Lentz, Hayes and Lieutenant Bridwell, were working north Jacksonville on trespass complaints. The officers located several individuals operating off-road vehicles on property without written permission. They educated the operators and explained that they were trespassing on private property and should not return without written permission.

SUWANNEE COUNTY

Officer Boone received information from a constituent of possible trespass on private property. Upon arrival Officer Boone entered the woods and heard someone running away in the brush. Lieutenant Humphries, Investigator Sharpe, Officer Davenport and the Department of Correction’s K-9 team responded to the property for assistance in locating the fleeing subject. The subject was apprehended and confessed to felony trespass, killing a turkey out of season and hiding both the gun and turkey in the woods nearby. The individual was transported to the Suwannee County Jail and charged appropriately.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

LEVY COUNTY

Officers Bell and Robson were conducting land patrol when they observed a pickup truck parked in a closed area of Goethe State Forest. Upon inspection of the truck, it was found that the subject was hunting wild hogs on state land out of season. The subject was issued three criminal charges for hunting out of season, hunting with dogs out of season and illegal entry to a State Forest. The subject was also issued three infractions and one warning for the appropriate violations.

NORTHEAST REGION

CASES

VOLUSIA COUNTY

Officer Wingard was on patrol in Daytona Beach and observed an individual fishing from shore along the Halifax River. He watched the man catching fish, looking around, and place the fish in a tackle box. A resource inspection revealed the man was in possession of six grey snapper which were all undersize. The man was issued a criminal notice to appear for the violations.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Officer Wester and Lieutenant Dickson received video footage of a subject on the Ocklawaha River pulling commercial crab traps and stealing the crabs from them. The suspect was located and admitted to the molestation of the traps and theft of the product. The suspect was charged accordingly.

MARION COUNTY

Senior Officer Wear was patrolling the Ocala Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he heard a gunshot originating from a neighboring piece of property owned by St. Johns Water Management. Officer Wear made his way to where the shot originated and observed a vehicle with two subjects parked alongside the boundary fence. Upon contacting the subjects, Officer Wear discovered a freshly killed seven-point buck in the bed of the truck. The passenger, who had fresh blood smeared on his face and clothes, stated he had retrieved the deer from water management property only after it had been struck by a vehicle. After examining the deer carcass for evidence, Officer Wear discovered a small caliber bullet wound in the neck area and the carcass showed no signs that it had been struck by a vehicle. The appropriate charges are being filed with the State Attorney’s Office.

BREVARD COUNTY

Officer Balgo observed an individual walking along the rocks off US 192. A resource inspection located a bucket containing several oysters and a knife in the water with several additional piles of oysters. The harvest of oysters in this area is prohibited. The individual received a warning a few months prior for harvesting oysters in the same location. The individual was cited accordingly.

Officer Balgo observed an individual wading in the water in a closed park off SR 520. A resource inspection found the individual in possession of four undersized sheepshead, one undersized black drum, two undersized spotted seatrout, and over the bag limit of mullet. He also did not possess a valid fishing license. The individual was cited accordingly.

Officer Hallsten was conducting fisheries inspections at Sebastian Inlet State Park when he made contact with five subjects who were walking their fishing equipment back to their vehicle. Officer Hallsten inspected a cooler that was being carried which contained legal fish. Further inspection of a five-gallon bucket revealed two egg bearing blue crabs, two undersized sheepshead, and an undersized mangrove snapper under the cast nets. Citations were written accordingly.

ORANGE COUNTY

Officer Infante was on patrol in Wekiwa Springs State Park when one of the park rangers told her that a vehicle was driving down a hiking trail. She waited for the vehicle to return and conducted a traffic stop. Officer Infante found the subject to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested and taken to jail.

SEMINOLE COUNTY

Officers Infante and Auber responded to a boating accident at the Marine Boat Tree Marina. An operator had struck another vessel resulting in damage and was suspected to be intoxicated. The operator exhibited signs of impairment and Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted. The operator was arrested and taken to jail for boating under the influence with property damage or injury. He refused to provide a breath sample.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

ORANGE COUNTY

Lieutenant Hudson represented FWC at the Wounded Warriors Outdoors (WWO) Annual Quail Hunt. WWO sponsors outdoor adventures for wounded warriors to assist in the healing process.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

PUTNAM COUNTY

FWC officers from the Putnam and Marion County squads, including K9 Officer Simpson, worked Boating Safety Day at the Palatka Riverfront. This event was in conjunction with the Florida Azalea Festival and was sponsored by FWC, the Palatka City Commission, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. A full day boating safety course was offered and instructed by the Auxiliary and FWC officers, and static displays were set up outside for the general public. Several hundred people attended the event.

SOUTHWEST REGION

CASES

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Officer Conrad and Lieutenant VanTrees responded to a complaint of an individual keeping undersized fish near the bridge. When the officers arrived, they observed an individual walking from under the bridge holding a plastic bag. A resource inspection revealed two undersized snook during a closed season. The individual was cited accordingly.

While on patrol near the Courtney Campbell bridge, Officer Specialist Caldwell observed an individual fishing. He waited for the individual to finish and initiated a resource inspection. During the inspection he discovered the individual to be in possession of a redfish and a spotted seatrout during closed seasons. The individual was cited accordingly.

While on patrol near the Tampa Bypass Canal, Officer Rorer observed three individuals leaving the area carrying fishing gear. When the individuals saw her, one of the men attempted to hide a bucket behind a concrete barrier. Officer Rorer retrieved the bucket and found a cast net with four large-mouth bass. The appropriate citations were issued.

LEE COUNTY

Officer Furbay and Officer Zenoniani received a call about subjects hunting in the Charlotte Buffer Preserve State Park. The officers located five suspects with two hunting dogs wearing cut collars and GPS devices. The subjects admitted to hunting hogs within the state park. The appropriate citations were issued.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Officer Specialist Bibeau observed a vessel return to a nearby boat ramp and conducted a fisheries inspection. The inspection revealed a five-gallon bucket filled with fillets. The operator of the vessel admitted that some of the fillets belonged to red grouper and was issued a misdemeanor citation for failure to land reef fish in whole condition.

While on land patrol, Officer Specialist Bibeau observed an individual fishing from a jetty. He watched the individual from a concealed location and observed the angler catch multiple fish. An inspection revealed fourteen sheepshead, six of which were undersized. The appropriate citation and warnings were issued.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

LEE COUNTY

FWC Officer Self and Officer Midolo assisted FWC biologists in rescuing a manatee in a canal inside Matanzas Pass in Ft. Myers. The manatee was suffering from cold shock and had white markings over its entire body. The manatee was corralled using a patrol vessel and netted from shore by biologists. It was transported to the lab for medical treatment and observation.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Captain Carpenter responded to a report of a sick or injured sea turtle in a canal behind a residence in Port Charlotte. He found a very sluggish Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle floating by the seawall. Using the homeowner’s landing net, he pulled the turtle from the water and brought it to manatee research interns at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Port Charlotte lab. The interns took the turtle to MOTE Marine in Sarasota for evaluation and rehabilitation.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Officer Salem participated in a youth turkey hunt. He pre-scouted the area before season and was able to locate some turkeys. Officer Salem helped a young man and his father harvest a nice bird and a wild hog. The trip was an amazing experience for the participants and provided the opportunity for families to make memories, get to know FWC officers on a personal level and learn to love the outdoors.

SOUTH REGION A

CASES

BROWARD COUNTY

Officers Ryan, Dudas and Luna were on vessel patrol in the vicinity of Dania Beach. They conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a vessel in the Dania Cut Off Canal and found a grouper harvested out of season. The operator of the vessel was issued a notice to appear, and the grouper was seized as evidence.

Officer Dudas and Lieutenant Laubenberger were on night patrol when they observed a kayak with two persons fishing in the Dania Cut Off Canal. The kayak did not display a light to make its presence known. A fisheries and boating safety inspection was conducted and one individual was placed under arrest and transported to the Broward County Jail for several extraditable felony warrants out of Ohio.

Officers Seldomridge, Morgan, Forrest, Conti, and Lieutenant Brock worked a targeted enforcement detail focusing on the southern part of Broward County. Their target for the detail were vessels stored on the waters of the state with registration and navigation light violations. The officers checked every vessel South of Port Everglades. Fifty-three citations were issued.

Officer Tarr was on patrol in Sunrise, when he observed an individual fishing. A resource inspection found the subject in possession of one undersized snook. The appropriate criminal citation was issued, and the fish was seized for evidence.

Officer Nall and Lieutenant McDonald received information regarding a local retail market selling unwholesome fish to the public. A retail inspection found unwholesome fish products for sale to the public and being stored in the back of the market in poor conditions. The owner of the store was issued two criminal mandatory notice to appear citations and multiple warnings referenced quality control/cleanliness.

Officers Hart and Nall were patrolling offshore late at night when they spotted a vessel anchored on the reef with passengers fishing. A resource inspection of the vessel revealed four undersized mutton snapper and an undersized, out of season red grouper. One individual on board the vessel stated that he had caught all the fish. That individual was issued multiple criminal mandatory notice to appear citations. The other individuals on board received infraction citations for not having valid saltwater fishing licenses.

Officer Nall and Officer Hart were on patrol when they received information about an illegal net. They had been investigating this complaint for eight months. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Nall and Officer Hart observed a net spread out across the canal and saw two individuals get in a boat and begin to fish the net. The net was being used illegally as a stop net, an illegal gill/entangling net, and was over the maximum allowed 500 square footage for any net in state waters (850.5 ft). The net was made with monofilament, which is outlawed in Florida for this type of net. A resource inspection revealed multiple criminal violations and major resource violations. One of the individuals was given multiple criminal mandatory notice to appear citations and infraction citations. The net was seized as evidence.

Officer Nall and Hart conducted a quality control inspection of a local seafood market. Upon inspection, the owners of the market did not possess a valid saltwater retail license to legally sell saltwater fisheries products. The officers also observed multiple quality control violations. The owner was issued a criminal mandatory notice to appear citation and multiple warnings.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Officer Brodbeck was on patrol at a local green market to inspect seafood vendors for proper licensing. An inspection of one vendor revealed they were selling pompano, redfish, dolphin, swordfish, wahoo, snapper, and stone crab. The officer observed numerous transactions and a list of species with prices. The vendor was unable to produce a saltwater retail license or any invoices for the fish being sold to the public. The appropriate citations were issued to the vendor for the violations.

Officer Ames conducted a follow up visit on a local fish house to make sure the owner renewed his wholesale/retail licenses. Upon entering the business, Officer Ames observed what seemed to be undersized red snapper. After further investigation, 29 undersized red snapper were located. The owner of the business was cited accordingly, and the snappers were seized.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

Officer Bingham was on vessel water patrol when he encountered a recreational fishing vessel with three people on board. An inspection determined that the vessel was a charter. Further investigation revealed multiple safety violations; improper personal flotation devices and no distress signals. The captain also did not have Merchant Mariner Credentials and the vessel was improperly registered. The Coast Guard was notified of the charter and responded to address the violations. The charter was terminated.

GLADES COUNTY

Officers Crosby and Madsen were working around Lake Okeechobee targeting black crappie violations. Upon checking occupants on a vessel returning from fishing, two subjects were found to be in possession of undersized black crappie. Both subjects received a notice to appear for the violations and 12 black crappie were seized as evidence.

MARTIN COUNTY

Officer Schroer and Lieutenant Hankinson were dispatched to Johnathan Dickinson State Park when a vehicle was reported to be stuck on a heavily trafficked mountain bike trial. The vehicle had entered the park through a non-designated entrance the night prior and did not pay entrance fees or possess a permit to recreate within the park at night. The vehicle caused damage to plants and parts of the improved bike trail. The operator was cited appropriately.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

GLADES COUNTY

Officer Davis was dispatched to a search and rescue on Lake Okeechobee for two lost fishermen. Due to approaching weather, Officer Davis called the fishermen and attempted to talk them through getting back to the Harney Pond Canal Boat Ramp where they launched. They were not familiar with the area and were not comfortable trying to get back on their own, Officer Davis and Officer Fijalkowski responded to the Alvin Ward Boat Ramp to conduct a search for the two fishermen. The fishermen were able to recall landmarks they had seen while fishing and the officers used this information and their knowledge of the lake to locate the fishermen and escort them back to Harney Pond Canal boat ramp.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Officer Miano assisted with teaching duties at the Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) program, hosted by the FWC and held at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp (EYCC). The program introduces and teaches women outdoor skills, such as tracking, hunting, fishing, outdoor cooking, geocaching, firearms, archery and more. Officer Miano assisted at the firing range both for general range safety and assisting women who had never shot a firearm. Women in attendance ranged in age from 20 to 60.

Investigator Fowler and Officer Boyd attended an outreach event at Citrus Cove Elementary School. The school was holding a career day where multiple agencies from different career paths were represented by their members who explained to the children some details of their job. Investigator Fowler and Officer Boyd represented FWC and spoke to approximately 1,000 students about the role FWC plays in our society. They spoke about the conservation of natural resources (fish and animal population), environmental responsibility and public safety on the waterways and state-regulated

lands. They also highlighted boating safety tips and the importance of using Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s).

GLADES COUNTY

Lieutenant Brown and Officers Allen, Dial, Flynn and Madsen participated in the Chalo Nitka kids fishing tournament in Moore Haven. They assisted kids with baiting hooks and weighing fish. At the end of the tournament, they gave fishing poles to all the children who participated. There were over 150 children at the event.

SOUTH REGION B

CASES

MIAMI DADE COUNTY

Officers M. Osorio, J. Hart, and Investigator W. Stiffler worked jointly with the Everglades National Park Service (NPS) during a Targeted Enforcement Action focused on compliance with regulations for South Florida Water Management District lands, WMAs and WEAs. The detail checked 68 users which resulted in 12 misdemeanor arrests, three trespass warnings, one towed vehicle, and three written warnings.

A Targeted Enforcement Action, “One Night-Stand” was conducted to address growing concern for night violations such as, animal poaching, theft, trespassing, and discharging of firearms on South Florida Water Management (SFWMD) lands. The detail focused patrol and investigative efforts in the SFWMD Territories of Southern Glades, Rocky Glades, Frog Pond, and 8.5 Square Mile. This joint effort resulted in a felony arrest, multiple misdemeanor arrests, and seven subjects being trespassed from SFWMD lands.

COLLIER COUNTY

During a targeted enforcement action, Officers Plussa and Yurewitch stopped a commercial shell tour vessel for an inspection. Officer Plussa found a bucket which contained a sea turtle skull and rostrum bone. The commercial operator admitted they were from a loggerhead sea turtle and he did not have a permit for their carriage onboard. He was criminally charged with two counts of “take by possession” of an endangered sea turtle species.

While on land patrol on the Isle of Capri, Officer Conroy checked the area of a restaurant that had reported having trouble with trespassing. She patrolled the area and found 2 males fishing on the docks of the restaurant. Officer Conroy observed the fisherman lay a fish on the edge of the dock and conducted a fisheries inspection. The fish was an undersized snook. The appropriate citations were issued for undersized snook, no fishing license, and no snook permit.

Officer Georgevich responded to a report of fishermen fileting undersized snook. When Officer Georgevich arrived on scene, he found the fishermen in possession of 24 small filets. They admitted to catching and filleting twelve undersized snook and were cited accordingly.

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROL

COLLIER COUNTY

Lieutenant Bulger and Officers Plussa and Conroy conducted targeted enforcement action directed at patrolling the Florida Panther speed zone in Collier County. Multiple vehicles were stopped, with four subjects being cited for exceeding the 45 MPH nighttime limit. All violations were speeds above 72 MPH, almost 30 MPH over the speed limit. The officers educated the public on the importance of decreasing their speed at night when the panthers are most active in the area.

Officer Polly and Lieutenant Bulger participated in an ongoing targeted enforcement action plan, focusing on panther zone speed enforcement. The highest recorded speed was 85 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. Officers issued numerous citations for unlawful speed and educated the public on the importance of decreasing their speed at night when the panthers are most active in the area.

Lieutenant Mahoney, Investigator Carroll, and Officers Plussa, Yurewitch, Wagner, Georgevich, Curbelo, Arbogast participated with Investigators from the Coast Guard in a joint mission targeting commercial charter vessels with unlicensed captains. Multiple vessels were cited for commercial safety equipment carriage, commercial registration, and charter licensing violations. Charters with violations were terminated due to the safety of the passengers.

Officers Plussa, Conroy and Yurewitch conducted a focused enforcement effort addressing “At-Risk and Derelict Vessels” in Collier County. The officers documented seven derelict vessels in the areas of Naples Bay, Marco Island, and Keewaydin Island. The vessel owners were cited for violations related to expired registration, improper display, unlawful mooring, and navigation rule noncompliance.

Officers Plussa and Conroy conducted state park enforcement during St. Patrick’s Day weekend at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. They issued multiple citations for unlawful speed near pedestrians, driver license violations, open container and marijuana possession. Officers were also called to assist with patrons causing a disturbance and not complying with park staff.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

COLLIER COUNTY

Officers Plussa and Conroy received a report of an injured gopher tortoise that had been hit by a car in Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. The officers transported the tortoise to the Von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for rehabilitation and release back into the wild.

Officer Plussa and Lieutenant Mahoney accompanied area bear biologist Chris Boyce to a commercial establishment in Naples with repeated bear complaints. They met with the general manager and completed an exterior inspection of where the garbage was stored. Approximately seven trash receptacles were unsecured, and a bag of trash had been torn open leaving a trail of debris into the woods. The manger was issued a notice of non-compliance and explained measures that could be taken to come into compliance.

Lieutenant Bulger responded to a residence that had an injured pelican in their pool. When Lieutenant Bulger arrived, he found a pelican with a fishing hook in its neck. The pelican was safely captured and delivered to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for rehabilitation.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

MONROE COUNTY

PIO Officer Dube and Officer Specialist Rafter assisted with Plantation Key School’s Career Day in Tavernier. Officers gave several presentations to elementary and middle

school students throughout the day. Officers discussed the duties and responsibilities of being an FWC Officer and how students can help with conservation efforts – along with being good stewards of the Keys. Officers were very popular with students and staff after their presentation portion and brought several species of snakes, tortoise’s and a American alligator for “Show and Tell”.

COLLIER COUNTY

Lieutenant Mahoney and Thomas Vatter, recreational outreach coordinator with FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management, attended the annual Kid’s Fishing Clinic at Naples Pier. During the outreach event, approximately 100 children learned about habitats, proper fish handling, knot tying, and stewardship in the marine environment. Each child was provided with a rod/reel, bait and the opportunity to fish from the pier. The fishing clinic strongly promoted the connection with research, species management and law enforcement collaborating for successful conservation of our natural resources.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

MIAMI DADE COUNTY

Officer Hedgepeth responded to a boating incident involving a vessel explosion that occurred at the Haulover Sandbar. FWC officers nearby heard the explosion and quickly arrived at the scene to assist the victims. One male was pulled from the water with minimal injuries. Miami Dade Fire rescue, Aventura PD, and Miami Dade Marine Patrol assisted with the response as well.

March 13, 2020 through March 19, 2020

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

CASES

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer McHenry was conducting fishery inspections at the Fort Pickens Fishing Pier when he noticed an individual in a boat pull in a gag grouper from a stringer. The operator of the boat started to leave the area, but then turned toward shore. The operator beached the boat and Officer McHenry walked down to check the fisherman. When Officer McHenry arrived, the subject was cleaning the fish. Officer McHenry advised the subject that gag grouper season was currently closed and issued the appropriate citation for the violation.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Roberson was on patrol when he observed four individuals fishing next to a bridge. Officer Roberson contacted the fishermen and found they had multiple bass, bream, and an undersized redfish in a bucket. Upon further inspection two of the individuals caught all the fish using a cast net. One of the individuals was cited for undersized redfish, and the other was cited for using an illegal method to catch freshwater gamefish.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

CASES

DUVAL COUNTY

Officer Barry responded to assist Officer Specialist Geib with a commercial crabbing vessel that failed to stop for inspection. Multiple criminal violations and infractions were issued.

MADISON COUNTY

Officer Fowler was on foot patrol during the youth turkey season when he heard someone calling turkeys nearby. After locating the subject, the officer observed him actively hunting for turkeys. Further investigation revealed the hunter was hunting alone and did not meet the youth age requirement. The subject was cited appropriately.

NASSAU COUNTY

Officers Sankey and Shearer were able to make a major violation case on a commercial blue crabber just north of the Nassau Sound in Alligator Creek. Working in an unmarked vessel, the officers watched a crabber working Alligator Creek and waited until he was exiting a shallow creek to conduct a stop. The crabber was in possession of 133 egg bearing blue crabs and 13 whole stone crabs. He was cited for major commercial violations and the egg crabs were returned safely to the water.

CITRUS COUNTY

Officer Reid was on foot patrol at the Trails End Boat Ramp, near the Leslie Heffner Canal in Floral City. Officer Reid observed two small aluminum boats being operated toward the ramp. As the officer watched, one of the occupants threw a three-foot alligator into the water. When speaking with the operator, the subject admitted to catching and possessing the alligator. The appropriate citation was issued.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Officer Johnston received an anonymous tip, including a video and Facebook message exchange, regarding a male subject harassing an American alligator. The video showed a subject repeatedly hitting an alligator over the head with a wire-like object. Officer Johnston located the subject and conducted an interview. The subject admitted to the actions on the video. An appropriate charge will be filed with the State Attorney’s Office for the harassing/molesting of an American alligator.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

Lieutenant Humphries and Officers Boone and Fowler responded to a report of a hunting accident from the Lafayette County Sheriff Office. The report stated that the wounded subject had been flown to a nearby hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the head. Upon responding to the location, the scene was secured, witness statements collected, and the firearm was seized as evidence. All items collected were turned over to Investigator Ayers and McMillian for further investigation.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

SUWANNEE COUNTY

Officer Cline and Yates responded to a 911 call that originated from the Suwanee County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a vessel in distress. The vessel was reported floating down the Suwannee River with unknown persons onboard. Officer Yates and Cline responded and secured the reported vessel assuring that no occupants were onboard or missing.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Senior Officer Johnston was invited to speak at the Lake City First United Methodist Church’s Pre-K program. There were 10 students in attendance, who were learning about community helpers. Officer Johnston passed out coloring books, cupcakes and spoke about the various roles and responsibilities of an FWC Officer.

NORTHEAST REGION

CASES

MARION COUNTY

Officer Specialist Rice and Officer Chriest followed up on information related to the illegal take of wildlife. While conducting interviews, the officers identified a subject responsible for illegally killing multiple deer at night with a gun and light. The subject also harvested over the season limit of antlerless deer. The subject was charged appropriately for the violations.

Officer Specialist Rice interviewed a subject who was reported to have killed a buck during season which did not meet the Deer Management Unit (DMU) antler requirement. Officer Rice discovered that in addition to the illegal buck, the subject had also recently harvested two turkeys out of season in the Ocala Wildlife Management Area. The subject was found to have two freshly killed turkey fans, two turkey beards, and four spurs inside the residence. Officer Rice contacted Senior Officer Simpson and K9 Moose to assist in locating the site where the turkeys were harvested. The turkey parts and shotgun used were seized as evidence and the subject was issued the appropriate citations.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Officers Wester, Chriest, and K9 Officer Simpson assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) with a subject that fled on foot from a stolen vehicle into Etoniah State Forest. Officer Wester was able to find foot sign belonging to the suspect on an interior road shortly after his arrival on scene. The suspect was located by FWC and PCSO and was taken into custody.

BREVARD COUNTY

Officer Marroquin was on water patrol in the area of Campbell’s Pocket in when he observed a vessel pass next to a slow speed zone sign on plane. Officer Marroquin conducted a vessel stop to address the manatee zone violation and observed signs of impairment from the operator. The operator performed Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks and was arrested for boating under the influence. Several young children were on the vessel. The operator was transported to the Brevard County Jail and charged with BUI with a person under 18 on board (enhanced penalty) and refusal to submit a breath sample.

Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vessel returning to a local boat ramp. He observed a crushed beer can at the helm and the operator showed several signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted, and the man was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator later refused to submit to a test of his breath which resulted in a $500 civil penalty.

ORANGE COUNTY

Officers Hocker and Navarino located two baited locations on private property that appeared to be targeting turkeys. On the opening morning of the Youth Turkey Season, the officers witnessed two separate hunting groups working towards the area. The officers watched the groups call and place decoys out. Once the sun rose, the officers made their presence known. The subjects were interviewed, and criminal citations were issued.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Officer Marroquin was on water patrol in the Indian River Lagoon when he observed a jet ski violating a manatee protection zone. Officer Marroquin conducted a vessel stop and noticed the operator showing signs of impairment. The operator was also not wearing a kill switch lanyard and was missing other safety equipment. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted, and the operator was arrested for boating under the influence.

Officers completed eight derelict vessel investigations which will allow for their removal from state waterways. Additional derelict vessels are being investigated throughout the county for removal and to hold the vessel owners accountable.

Officer Marroquin was on water patrol in the Indian River Lagoon near Yacht Club Boat Ramp when he observed a vessel leave the intracoastal waterway channel and violate the manatee zone. A stop was conducted for a vessel safety inspection and the operator showed signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted, and the operator was arrested for boating under the influence. The operator was transported to the Indian River County Jail where he refused to provide a breath sample.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Officer Stelzer received information about bait being placed on Gardner Marsh in preparation for the Youth Turkey Season. Officer Stelzer located the bait site prior to season and set up surveillance. On the opening day, Officer Stelzer heard an airboat enter the area and shut down. Later in the morning, he observed hunters set up their turkey equipment and use their turkey calls within 100 yards of the bait. Officer Stelzer contacted the hunters and found them within 100 yards of the bait site. The appropriate criminal citation was issued.

On the opening morning of the Youth Turkey Season, Officers Wild, Eller, and Platt set up surveillance near Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area were a bait site had been located. After sunrise, the officers observed two groups of hunters enter the property and go to two separate hunting sites. The one group went the location where the large amount of bait was located. After the officers observed the hunters using their calls and decoys, they made contact and issued a criminal citation.

SOUTHWEST REGION

CASES

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Officers Salem, Perry and Lejarzar assisted the Charlotte County Sheriffs’ Office in a search and rescue effort at Shell Creek. An elderly male subject was reported missing the night before and witnesses had observed the subject working around his vessel and dock. Officers searched several miles of the creek in an airboat and a skiff. K9s were utilized and alerted to a spot near the dock where the subject was last seen. The deceased subject was located by dive team members.

Officers Zenoniani and Birchfield conducted a vessel stop in Charlotte Harbor. The owner of the vessel was in possession of live whole stone crabs, undersized mangrove snapper and black sea bass. The owner of the vessel was given a notice to appear and appropriate warnings for undersized fish.

Officers Zenoniani and Birchfield conducted a vessel stop in Stump Pass. Four people were on board coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. A resource inspection revealed the occupants possessed out of season red snapper. Eight red snapper were on board with one being undersized. The occupants were each issued a notice to appear and two of the occupants were cited for no valid saltwater fishing license.

LEE COUNTY

Officer Price was on water patrol on the Caloosahatchee River and stopped a vessel for violating the manatee zone. The operator exhibited signs of impairment and standardized field sobriety tasks were utilized. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence and became agitated and began resisting. The subject was secured and transported to jail.

SOUTH REGION A

CASES

MARTIN COUNTY

Officer Pecko and Investigator Carroll were on vessel patrol conducting boating safety inspections, when they observed a boat underway not displaying the required navigational lights after sunset. A vessel stop was conducted and during the safety inspection, the operator displayed signs of impairment. The operator refused to perform field sobriety tasks and was arrested for boating under the influence. He was transported to the Martin County Jail where he refused to provide a breath sample. The appropriate citations were issued for resisting arrest without violence, absence of navigation lights, insufficient number of life jackets, and improper display of registration numbers.

SOUTH REGION B

CASES

MIAMI DADE COUNTY

Officers Dunn and Presser were on land patrol along Moody canal when Officer Dunn observed a bicycle with no one around. Upon closer inspection Officer Dunn spotted an individual in the water hiding in the mangrove roots. Officer Dunn observed a speargun and dive gear next to a large number of mangrove snapper and several large fish fillets laying on the rocks. The individual was ordered out of the water and a saltwater resource inspection was conducted. While inspecting the fish at the water’s edge, Officer Dunn noticed several fish skins and carcasses in the water. Upon retrieving them, they were identified as snook carcasses. The individual was found possession of three speared snook and 11 mangrove snapper. The individual was cited accordingly and taken to jail for the resource violations.

Officer Cartaya conducted a livery inspection on an operator shuttling a large group of spring breakers to the Pace Picnic Island to ride and rent personal watercraft from his pontoon boat. Officer Cartaya told the operator his clients said they had given him a deposit for the boat ride to the island and to rent and ride the PWCs. The operator did not have a captain’s license, rental agreement or proof of insurance. The operator was arrested for multiple livery violations.

COLLIER COUNTY

Officer Oldsen received a tip that two males were spearing illegal fish near the Naples Pier. Officer Oldsen conducted a vessel stop on two males matching the description and found they possessed one goliath grouper and two out of season gag groupers, one which was undersize. The two subjects were cited accordingly.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel CT Randall, captained by Lieutenant Shea, was on patrol with First Officer Knutson and Officers Arbogast and Georgevich. During the patrol, Officer Knutson and Arbogast launched the small boat to conduct a fisheries and license inspection on a commercial blue crab vessel. The officers found that the vessel did not have a commercial blue crab endorsement, nor did the vessel have any aerial markings or water markings indicating the endorsement numbers and shape and color of their crab trap buoy. The violations were addressed accordingly.

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROL

COLLIER COUNTY

In respond to beach closures in Collier County, Officers Yurewitch and Plussa conducted state park water patrol near Delnor-Wiggins State Park. They encountered multiple boats that had landed on state park property and were congregating in an area that was closed. Officers provided education to individuals that the beach was a part of the state park and was currently closed for public health and safety reasons. Boaters understood the situation and departed the beach.

Officer’s Reams and Thurkettle worked a Targeted Enforcement Activity after dark focusing on the increase of subjects riding off-road vehicles. The officers stopped violators riding the trail systems in the Picayune Strand State Forest during non-designated forest hours. Several vehicles were stopped for various violations and all were addressed accordingly.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

COLLIER COUNTY

FWC received a report of bears in Golden Gate Estates that had been in a resident’s garage and swimming pool. Officers Yurewitch and Plussa responded with Collier County Sheriff’s Deputies. Officers were able to direct the bears back into the nearby woods and educate the homeowner as to common bear attractants. It was discovered the neighbor had improperly secured their trash. Officers relayed this information to the local bear biologist who planned a site visit.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

MONROE COUNTY

Officer Specialist McKay talked with a scout troop staying at John Pennekamp State Park on Florida Sea Base sailboats as part of their spring break sailing program. The boat captain and advisors suggested Officer Mckay review the proper “Man Overboard” drills in a hands-on approach. An older youth was selected and became the “victim” by unexpectedly jumping off the docked boat while wearing a PFD. It only took the rest of the crew four minutes to “save” their crewmate. A park concession rescue diver, doing maintenance work nearby in the water, filled in as a lifeguard for the training exercise. The crew, which consisted of 18 Scouts on three different boats, enjoyed their time with Officer McKay and the lifesaving practical exercise.