Meatheads, XI

NORTHWEST REGION

CASES

BAY COUNTY

Officers Wicker and N. Basford were on water patrol in St. Andrews Bay and observed a subject fishing from his vessel near Panama City Marina. While inspecting his catch, the subject showed signs of impairment. The subject agreed to perform field sobriety tasks and was arrested for operating a vessel while impaired. The subject was transported to the Bay County Jail.

Officer N. Basford investigated a complaint received of several young people drinking alcohol and riding a wave runner at Deer Point Lake. Officer Basford arrived at the area and observed a subject getting on a wave runner without a life jacket and operating it in a careless manner. The operator crashed the wave runner into the seawall and was thrown off onto the shore. Officer N. Basford contacted the operator to make sure he was not injured and had EMS respond to the scene. EMS arrived and cleared the operator. The operator showed signs of being impaired and was asked to complete field sobriety tasks. The operator was informed he was being arrested for operating a vessel while impaired. He attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was apprehended and placed in custody. The operator was charged with boating under the influence, resisting without violence, violation of probation and operating a personal watercraft without wearing a life jacket. The operator was booked into the Bay County Jail.

FEDERAL WATERS

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Gray, Nelson, and Raker were patrolling federal waters approximately 11 miles south of Little St. George Island. They stopped a vessel and boarded to conduct a fisheries inspection. The officers located 11 red snapper in a cooler and found that 9 of the 11 were under the lawful size. The appropriate action was taken for the violation.

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Gray, Nelson, and Raker were patrolling federal waters approximately 24 miles south of Alligator Point. They prepared to stop a recreational vessel and during the approach, observed an occupant quickly move to the live well, net what was presumed to be fish and run to the opposite side of the vessel and dump those items in the water. When the officers came alongside, they observed undersized black sea bass floating on that side of the vessel. The fish were recovered, and the officers found eight undersized black sea bass and five red drum on board. The appropriate action was taken for failure to allow inspection, possession of prohibited red drum, and possession of undersized black sea bass.

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Gray, Nelson, and Raker were patrolling federal waters approximately 45 miles south of St. Marks. They stopped a commercial dive vessel and proceeded to conduct a safety and resource inspection. During the inspection, the officers located 11 undersized gag grouper. The appropriate action was taken in reference to the violation.

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Nelson and Raker were patrolling federal waters approximately fivemiles north of the Madison & Swanson Marine Protected Area. The officers boarded a commercial bandit rig vessel and found a large amount of cut up bait that appeared to be amberjack species. Further inspection revealed the same items on the hooks of the reels. The captain admitted to cutting up rudder jacks. Banded rudderfish have a size limit and are a finfish which must remain intact and cannot be used for bait. The boat captain has been charged multiple times for the same violation. The appropriate action was taken in reference to the violation.

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Nelson and Raker were on patrol in federal waters approximately 35 miles south of St. Vincent Island. They boarded a commercial charter vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection and observed several species to include amberjack cut into bait. The captain admitted to using it for bait. The appropriate action was taken in reference to the violation.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Nelson and Raker were on patrol in Dog Island Sound. They stopped a commercial shrimping vessel to conduct an inspection of their catch, nets, and Turtle Excluder Devices (TED’s). While on board the officers observed the vessel’s documentation number was only displayed on one side of the vessel, a portion of their navigation lights were not functioning, and their trawling at night (green over white) navigational lights were not functional. The Officers inspected the vessel’s TED’s and observed that they had multiple violations to include one of their TED openings was tied shut, restricting the ability for a sea turtle to escape the net. The appropriate action was taken in reference to the other violations.

GULF COUNTY

Senior Officer H. Webb received a complaint of a father and son catching illegal fish under the Highland View Bridge. Officer Webb contacted the two subjects and found them in possession of five undersized redfish. The father took responsibility for the violation and was cited accordingly.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

While patrolling Okaloosa Island, Officer Matechik observed two individuals walking the shoreline on Eglin Air Force Base property. One of the individuals was carrying and casting a fishing pole. They were walking towards a pickup truck that was parked on the beach beyond closed road signs. Officer Matechik contacted the subjects to conduct a resource inspection. There was additional fishing equipment at the truck and a 22-inch red drum tied to a stringer on the shoreline. The individual did not have a fishing license and it was determined that the individual who was fishing had his fishing privileges revoked. He was cited accordingly and both subjects were cited for not possessing Eglin AFB permits and driving on a closed road.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Land received a complaint regarding a vehicle stuck on the sandbar of Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA) which is a restricted area. When Officer Land arrived on scene, he located four individuals with a jeep sunk in the sand. The driver of the vehicle admitted to driving through Eglin Air Force Base property on closed roads and driving around gates to get to the point. None of the individuals had Eglin AFB permits. The individuals were issued a notice to appear for their violations on Eglin AFB. The driver of the vehicle was issued citations for destruction of state lands and driving on closed roads in Escribano Point WMA. The vehicle was removed from the sandbar and the individuals were escorted from the area.

While patrolling Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Officer Matechik observed an individual walking a path that leads to Fundy Bayou Beach. The individual noticed the officer’s presence in the parking area and walked down the beach. Officer

Matechik walked to the beach and noticed three fishing poles and a full beer. Officer Matechik left the beach and concealed his presence. The individual came back to the area and took a fishing rod and the beer and began to wade for fish. Officer Matechik announced his presence and conducted a resource inspection. The individual did not have a fishing license and was consuming alcohol in an area where it is prohibited. Officer Matechik and the individual walked to the parking lot to inspect his cooler in the bed of his truck. When the truck tag was checked, it came back to another vehicle and had an impound and seize tag order. The individual also did not have a valid driver’s license and his vehicle was parked in day use area of the Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The vehicle was towed, and the subject was issued the appropriate citations.

WAKULLA COUNTY

While conducting vessel patrol in Ochlockonee Bay, Officer T. Nelson observed two individuals fishing from shore. He observed they had multiple fish on a stringer near where they were fishing. A resource inspection of the individuals revealed two of the four red drum were undersized and the individuals were in possession of over their daily bag limit of one red drum per person. The appropriate action was taken regarding the violations.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

CASES

NASSAU COUNTY

Officers Christmas and Sweat were working turkey hunting in Nassau County at Four Creeks WMA. They heard someone in the archery only area using a turkey call. The officers walked into the swamp and located two men who were actively hunting turkeys. Both subjects were escorted out and issued appropriate citations.

DUVAL COUNTY

Officer Schirbock was on patrol when he noticed a truck parked off the side of the road. Suspecting someone was hunting, the officer located a turkey hunter in a blind with sunflower seeds within fifteen feet of the location. Appropriate citations were issued.

Officer Sapp received a complaint about an individual who was feeding an alligator in a pond at a local apartment complex. It had been going on for a while, and a resident had recorded the suspect feeding the small alligator. Officer Sapp worked with the management of the complex to identify the subject. When Officer Sapp talked with the subject, he denied feeding the alligator. Once officer Sapp confronted him with the video, he admitted to the violation. The subject was cited accordingly.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Officer Specialists McDonald and Nichols were on foot patrol on private lands on the opening morning of spring turkey season. The officers encountered two subjects in different locations on the property actively hunting turkey within 100 yards of bait. Both subjects were cited with notices to appear.

Officers Johnston and Bryan were on foot patrol on private property when they located three individuals attempting to take turkey within 100 yards of bait. Of the three hunters, one failed to possess a hunting license and turkey permit, a second subject could not provide a turkey permit. Two notices to appear were issued along with three non-criminal citations and one written warning.

Officer Yates discovered baited sites located in one of the local hunting clubs. During opening week, he located a vehicle parked at one of the sites. Officer Yates located two individuals hunting turkey over the bait and issued the appropriate citations.

TAYLOR COUNTY

Officer Albritton was working on a complaint about people illegally hunting and found an individual attempting to take turkey during the closed season over bait. The appropriate criminal charges were issued.

Officer Wilcox was working turkey hunting inside a hunting club when he discovered an individual hunting turkey within 100 yards of a feeding station. The appropriate charges were issued.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

Officer Fowler and Boone were on foot patrol when they observed an individual hunting less than 100 yards from a site baited with wheat and corn. Further investigation revealed the subject was hunting turkeys. The appropriate citation was issued.

MADISON COUNTY

Officer Ransom discovered a blind with crack corn approximately 16 yards away. Upon returning to the baited site he observed an individual carrying a shotgun walk up to the blind and began calling for turkeys. The subject entered the blind and continued to call for turkeys. The subject was cited accordingly.

SUWANNEE COUNTY

Officer Cline located a piece of property with several baited sites that included crack corn and wheat. Upon returning to one of the sites he observed an individual actively hunting for turkeys less than 45 yards away from the baited area. The subject was issued a notice to appear.

Officer Boone found a blind with corn less than 100 yards away. Upon returning to the location, he observed an individual enter into the blind with a shotgun. The appropriate citations were issued.

Officer Cline discovered an active feeding station with corn spread on a piece of property. Officer Cline later returned to observe two subjects carrying shotguns walk into the corn and begin calling for turkeys. The appropriate citations were issued.

NORTHEAST REGION

CASES

BREVARD COUNTY

Officer Marroquin was on state water patrol when he observed a vessel being operated in a careless manner. Officer Marroquin conducted a vessel stop and observed the operator showing signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were utilized, and the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and transported to jail.

VOLUSIA COUNTY

Officer Pelzel observed a 41-foot commercial vessel offloading catch at a local fisheries market. Upon contacting the captain and crew, she determined the catch included golden tilefish and snowy grouper. The catch was in excess of 2,000 pounds with a current market value at over $10,000. The captain or boat owner was not able to produce a current federal fisheries longline endorsement for tilefish or grouper. After reviewing the case with NOAA agents, federal charges have been filed for the violation.

Officer Vanas located two ground blinds that had been baited with cracked corn the week prior to spring turkey season. On opening morning, Officer Vanas and Lieutenant Baer set up surveillance on the property before daylight. Two individuals arrived and occupied the ground blinds and attempted to lure turkeys to their location using calls. The officers approached and found the men each in possession of turkey calls and loaded shotguns. They admitted to hunting turkeys and knowing they were within 100 yards of bait. The appropriate citations were issued.

SUMTER COUNTY

Officer Sweet located several hunting blinds that were baited. On opening morning of spring turkey season, Officer Sweet observed a subject actively calling for and hunting turkeys within 100 yards of the bait. The next morning, Officer Sweet worked the other baited site and observed an individual actively calling for and hunting turkeys within 100 yards of the bait. Both subjects were cited appropriately.

MARION COUNTY

Officer Specialists Dias and Rice were patrolling opening day of spring turkey season when they encountered a baited turkey blind. The officers conducted surveillance from a concealed location and heard a subject from inside the blind using a turkey call to attract nearby turkeys. The subject was issued the appropriate citation.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

While on land patrol near the boat ramps of the Indian River Lagoon, Officer Matthews observed a vehicle cross the center line and nearly collide head on with his patrol vehicle. Officer Matthews stopped the vehicle and the operator displayed signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were utilized, and the driver was arrested for DUI.

Officers Johnson and Marroquin were conducting JEA patrol in federal waters when they conducted a stop on a vessel fishing near the Bethel buoy. During the stop it was determined that the vessel was operating a charter fishing vessel without a license. The appropriate citation was issued, and the operator was also educated on required federal permitting for charter vessels.

Officer Marroquin conducted a resource inspection near the Indian River Lagoon. There he discovered a man, who when upon checking, had an active arrest warrant and was transported to the Indian River County Jail.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

FWC Officers from Brevard, Indian River, Osceola, and East Orange Counties combined enforcement efforts for the 2020 spring turkey season. The operational detail, led by Officer Mendelson, targeted hunting violations that occurred on private and state lands. The operation spanned for a five-week period that included officers from FWC’s Patrol, Port Canaveral/Investigations, Aviation, and K9 sections. The detail involved several phases that addressed planning, technology implementation, advanced enforcement techniques, and manpower allocation. Over 16 officers and supervisors were involved in the effort to proactively protect the Osceola turkey. Over 65 hunters were contacted and the following enforcement actions were taken: 16 individuals were issued criminal citations for attempting to take wild turkeys within 100 yards of a game feeding station while feed was present; one individual was issued a criminal citation for operating a game feeding station on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA); and another individual was issued a criminal citation for harvesting over the daily bag limit of turkeys inside a WMA.

ORANGE COUNTY

Officers Bohne and Mendelson, along with K9 Officer Hadwin received an anonymous complaint about subjects illegally camping and hunting inside Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is currently closed. The officers identified an area that they believed would be a likely place to find the illegal camp. Officer Mendelson and K9 Officer Hadwin located two male subjects actively hunting turkeys approximately ½ mile into Tosohatchee WMA while Officer Bohne located a female subject and a youth hunting 50 yards from the campsite, also inside Tosohatchee WMA. All three adult subjects were cited accordingly.

Officers Infante and Daniels responded to a cast netting call in Orlando. Upon arriving on scene, two subjects were spotted near a cooler and a cast net in a no trespassing area of the canal. A resource inspection revealed five black bass in the subject’s truck. The subject was issued a notice to appear and was given a trespass warning.

LAKE COUNTY

Officers Shaw and Teal located a hunting blind with fresh bait. On opening morning of spring turkey season, they observed two subjects actively calling for and hunting turkeys within 100 yards of the bait. Both subjects were cited appropriately.

Investigator Adam issued a citation for hunting turkeys over bait. The hunter was in a ground blind overlooking a field baited with cracked corn. The bait was 18 yards from the blind with four turkey decoys.

Officer Specialist Shaw received information that someone was hunting turkey in Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area without a quota permit and had accessed the area through an adjoining private property. Officer Shaw arrived on scene and observed the subject actively hunting turkeys in the management area. The subject did not possess a valid quota permit and was cited appropriately.

SEMINOLE COUNTY

Officers Infante and Daniels responded to a vessel that was overloaded on Lake Mills. During an investigation, all five occupants on the 15-foot Jon boat appeared to be intoxicated. Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks were utilized, and the operator was arrested for BUI and transported to the Seminole County Jail. The subject was charged with boating under the influence and other non-criminal infractions.

MARION COUNTY

Officer Hargabus and Investigator Sumpter observed two people in a ground blind dressed in camouflage and using a mouth call to attract turkeys. As the officers approached the blind, they could see bait on the ground. The appropriate criminal citation was issued.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Lieutenant Trusley and Officer Summers were on foot patrol on a private piece of private property in Kenansville reference to a previously found bait site with cracked corn and a game camera. The hunter inside the ground blind was actively hunting turkeys with a double barrel 12-gauge shotgun with turkey load shells. Cracked corn was scattered everywhere in front of the blind. The appropriate citation was issued.

Officer Hocker conducted a resource inspection on three individual’s turkey hunting from a steel cage concealed with camo mesh and branches. The individuals were hunting within 100-yards of a game feeding station while feed was present. The individuals were cited accordingly.

SOUTHWEST REGION

CASES

HARDEE COUNTY

Lieutenant Cloud was stopped by a Mosaic employee stating a subject was trespassing on a containment dike and was asleep in his car. Lieutenant Cloud located the car and observed the occupant sleeping in the driver’s seat. The subject did not have permission to be on the property and was arrested for trespassing on a chemical manufacturing facility, for possession of methamphetamine and possession of prescription pills without a prescription.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

While on land patrol in Hillsborough County near the Tampa Bypass Canal, K-9 Officer Dearborn observed a small pickup truck loaded with used tires drive past his location. The operator of the vehicle conducted a three-point turn approximately thirty yards from Officer Dearborn and proceeded to dump the tires and leave the area. Officer Dearborn stopped the operator and, with the assistance of the Department of Environmental Protection, arrested the violator for felony dumping and booked him into the Hillsborough County Jail.

LEE COUNTY

Officer Price received information about a subject who was hunting on state park property. When on scene, he located several pieces of hunting equipment, including a game camera, a hunting blind, bait and a variety of trash thrown on the ground. The subject was identified and admitted to setting up the hunting equipment because he claimed to have the rights to a hunting lease. The problem was that the man was not within the boundaries of the lease but was in the state park. After explaining the violations to the subject and making sure he knew where the boundaries of the state park were, Officer Price issued a warning for having hunting equipment in the state park and issued an infraction for littering.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Officers from Tampa Bay worked in conjunction with Pinellas County S.O., Clearwater P.D. and the USCG to educate boaters on Governor Desantis’ executive order regarding social distancing on boats. The officers maintained a safe distance away, utilized their loud-speakers and contacted over one hundred boaters illegally anchored on the north and south Pinellas sandbars.

Officer Specialist Bibeau observed a fishing vessel return to a boat ramp and contacted the individuals onboard to conduct a fisheries inspection. Officer Specialist Bibeau found an undersized mutton snapper and an undersized and out of season gag grouper. Officer Specialist issued the appropriate citations and warnings for the violations.

While on land patrol, Officer Specialist Bibeau observed a fishing vessel return to a boat ramp and contacted the occupants to conduct a fisheries inspection. Officer Specialist Bibeau located three out of season red snapper (two of which were undersized) and one undersized red grouper. Officer Specialist Bibeau issued the appropriate citations and warnings for the violations.

POLK COUNTY

Officer Earls responded to a complaint in Colt Creek State Park regarding a vehicle operating in a reckless manner. Officer Earls arrived on scene and located a disabled vehicle that was damaged from hitting boulders that were in place to act as barriers. After Officer Earls conducted his investigation, he filed charges on the vehicle operator for reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

SOUTH REGION A

CASES

MARTIN COUNTY

Officer Hudson was conducting water patrol in Manatee Pocket when he observed a commercial vessel on full plain. The vessel’s navigation lights were not displayed. The officer conducted a vessel stop and observed the operator who showed multiple signs of impairment. After conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence. The operator was transported to the Martin County Jail where he refused to submit to a breath test. The operator was booked into jail for boating under the influence and was cited accordingly for the violations.

Officer Hudson was on water patrol at the Stuart Sandbar when he received a BOLO (be on the look-out) from Martin County Marine Deputies about a black Pathfinder vessel that had a highly intoxicated male on board. Officer Hudson observed the black Pathfinder vessel and conducted a vessel stop. When Officer Hudson pulled alongside the Pathfinder, he observed a male lying unconscious on the deck. The operator appeared to be highly intoxicated. The unconscious male was transported by Martin County Marine Deputies to Sandsprit Park and turned over to Fire Rescue who transported him to the hospital. When the operator was discharged from the hospital, he was booked into the Martin County Jail for boating under the influence, refusing to submit to a blood test and two boating safety infractions.

Officer Hudson was conducting fishing license inspections on the Stuart Causeway and encountered a subject who did not have a fishing license. The officer contacted FWC dispatch and was advised that the subject had previously been given two citations for not having a fishing license, and that he had been arrested previously for fishing on a revoked fishing license. The officer issued the subject a citation for no fishing license. The subject did not pay or show up in court on his court day. The judge found him guilty, increased the fine, and suspended his fishing license for a period of one year.

Officer Hudson received a tip about a subject keeping over-the-bag limit of pompano from the Jensen Causeway. The officer arrived and observed the subject catch multiple pompano, measure them, and place them in a blue cooler. The subject then took a bag of fish from his blue cooler and placed it in a different cooler located in the back of his truck. The subject then returned to fishing. After a while, a second subject arrived in a truck at the location and the subjects began to pack up. The officer conducted an inspection of both the blue cooler and the cooler in the back of the truck. A total of 19 pompano were found, two of which were undersized. The subject stated that he knew the daily bag limit was six per day and that the size limit was 11 inches measured to the fork of the tail. The subject was issued citations accordingly.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Officer Ames responded to a boating accident on the Intracoastal Waterway in Boynton Beach. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Ames observed a vessel that had crashed into a rock seawall. While conducting the investigation, Officer Ames found the operator to be heavily intoxicated. After Field Sobriety Tasks were completed, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence with occupied juveniles. The operator was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.

Officer Brodbeck was on vessel patrol near the Lake Worth Inlet when a vessel was observed with fishing equipment in plain view returning from offshore. A vessel stop was initiated to conduct a resource inspection. During the inspection, it was discovered that the vessel was returning from the Bahamas. Vessels returning from the Bahamas must abide by state and federal regulations for each species harvested. The vessel had on board undersized and out-of-season hogfish, out-of-season grouper, and undersized wrung lobster tails. One crewmember took responsibility for the violations and was issued the appropriate citations and warnings for the violations.

Officer Brodbeck was on vessel patrol near Jupiter Inlet bridge when he observed a vessel with no one on board. The officer saw there were two subjects actively spearfishing under and around the bridge without any dive flags displayed. Officer Brodbeck made contact to conduct a resource inspection and to address the dive flag violation. When contacting the two subjects, both appeared very nervous. Both attempted to conceal their spear guns, and there was evidence of fish being harvested on the vessel. During questioning, one subject admitted to harvesting a snook with the speargun and retrieved a snook from a concealed location in the stern of the vessel. The snook was seized and the subject was issued a criminal citation for the violation, as well as a boating citation for not displaying a dive flag. A subject also received warnings for not having a saltwater fishing license or snook stamp in his possession.

Officers Partelow and Riggs were on vessel patrol in the Intracoastal Waterway near Jupiter Triangle. The officers observed two vessels alongside each other. They observed one of the operators fill a bucket with bait fish and hand the bucket to the fisherman were money was exchanged. After the exchange of fish for money, a vessel stop, and an inspection were conducted. The officers determined the operator did not have a saltwater retail license. This same operator was cited for no retail license a few months prior. The operator was cited and issued a notice to appear criminal citation.

Officer Brodbeck was on vessel patrol offshore off Juno Beach when a charter boat was observed actively harvesting fish. Palm Beach County had specifically closed charter fishing operations pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon contact with the captain of the vessel, he stated they were engaged in commercial fishing, permitted under the Executive Order. On board the vessel were two other subjects, as well as a variety of fish species, including mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, king mackerel, and dolphin. The captain of the vessel was only able to produce a recently purchased Saltwater Products License, which allows commercial fishing for unregulated species. In order to possess the above listed species, numerous additional federal and state regulations apply. Officer Brodbeck issued a criminal resource citation for no restricted species endorsement, and warnings for no federal snapper/grouper permit, no federal king mackerel permit, no federal wahoo/dolphin permit, and fish not kept on finely divided ice. During additional questioning, it was discovered that the two other people on the vessel were in fact paying customers. The vessel and captain’s information were forwarded to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for violating the county closure.

Officer Gouveia was on land patrol in the J.W Corbett Wildlife Management area when he observed a truck and trailer parked outside a locked gate to the closed management area due to the COVID-19 executive order. Officer Gouveia noticed large tire tracks going around the locked gate and through the bushes and later observed a swamp buggy returning and exit the area by going around the gate. Office Gouveia stopped the buggy and issued the driver a criminal citation for entering the closed management area during the Executive Order closure.

Lieutenant Warne was on land patrol when he heard gunshots coming from inside the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. Lieutenant Warne found and observed two subjects behind a locked gate discharging a handgun. Lieutenant Warne and Officer Gouveia stopped the subjects as they walked to their vehicle. The firearm was checked though dispatch who reported that it was stolen. The firearm was seized and both subjects were issued criminal citations for entering the closed management area during the Executive Order closure due to COVID-19.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

MARTIN COUNTY

Officer Hudson received a call about an injured sea turtle that crawled on to Hobe Sound Beach. The officer arrived on scene and observed the turtle’s shell was broken and a couple of lacerations from a shark bite were on the bottom of the turtle. The turtle was transferred to Loggerhead Rescue Center..

SOUTH REGION B

CASES

MIAMI DADE COUNTY

FWC officers responded to a possible wildlife violation involving migratory birds. There was an abandoned house in Miami-Dade occupied by migratory birds and there were also illegally captured birds in cages and traps found around the home. The trappers were found in vehicles within close proximity to the home. FWC investigators uncovered fifteen bird traps, forty-four painted buntings, thirty-four indigo buntings, two blue grosbeaks, one mocking bird, one yellow faced grassquit for a total of eighty-two migratory birds. There was also cocaine and drug paraphernalia found in the subject’s possession. The subjects were arrested and charged with one-hundred and nineteen misdemeanors and two felonies.

MONROE COUNTY

FWC received a call regarding multiple divers possibly spearing lobster under the Spanish Channel Bridge in the Lower Keys. Lieutenant Payne responded by land and observed five men diving from a small black skiff near the bridge. He called Officers Mason and Cobb to respond by boat to the scene. Once they arrived Lieutenant Payne and Officer Piekenbrock walked onto the fishing portion of the bridge and observed two of the divers with a yellow pole spear and a blue mesh bag. The divers dropped their equipment and swam away when the marked patrol boat arrived. They were collected and transported back to their skiff and identified. The spear and bag were retrieved, and the area was searched for additional resource violations. Two undersize speared lobster and two undersize hogfish were located. Four of the five divers were charged with the various misdemeanor resource violations. The divers were from Virginia, Vermont and various towns in Florida. In addition, the subject’s vessel contained no safety equipment and the captain of the vessel was also charged with several infractions.

Officer Zach Hoppe was patrolling the area near the Boggies in the Everglades National Park when he observed a vessel fishing near the mangroves. Officer Hoppe conducted a resource inspection and discovered an undersized spiny lobster, and a lobster carapace not in whole condition. The operator of the vessel was cited accordingly.

COLLIER COUNTY

Officer Rubenstein responded to a report of a gopher tortoise being harassed in a preserve area within a community. Officer Rubenstein found golf cart tire tracks in the area of the preserve, and located a hole covered with palm fronds. Inside the hole the officer located a significant number of drugs and drug paraphernalia. While speaking with area residents who had reported the harassment, the son of one of the residents informed the officer he had found the drugs and had buried them under the palm fronds. The young man also informed Officer Rubenstein he had seen camp sites set up in a near-by wooded area. The camp sites were located, and additional drug paraphernalia was removed. The Collier County Sheriff’s office assisted by removing all camp sites from the area.

Officer Reams and Kleis were on water patrol in the Marco River. They conducted a stop on a vessel in violation of the slow speed zone. While addressing the speeding issue they conducted a vessel resource inspection. The operator told the officers he had sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and a redfish on board. The officers found the sheepshead and the redfish to be undersized. The subject was cited accordingly.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

COLLIER COUNTY

While on land patrol in a preserve, Officer Rubenstein heard someone yelling for help in the palmettos. Officer Rubenstein located a hiker who got turned around and had become tangled up in the palmettos while taking photographs. She had lost her phone and wallet and was unable to find her way back to the trail head. Officer Rubenstein escorted the unharmed hiker back to her vehicle.

Officer Polly and Oldsen were on water patrol near Cape Romano where they observed an individual in the water struggling to swim back to her boat. Officer Oldsen threw her a flotation device, however the tide was to swift and she was unable to make progress swimming to her boat. Officer Oldsen positioned the patrol vessel close to the swimmer allowing Officer Polly to safely help her aboard the FWC vessel. The swimmer was unharmed and returned to her vessel.

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROL

COLLIER COUNTY

Officer’s Reams and Thurkettle, along with other officers worked a Targeted Enforcement Activity after dark focusing on the increase of subjects riding off-road vehicles. The officers stopped violators who were 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.

FWC had received reports of personal watercraft in and around Wiggins Pass driving recklessly. Officers Plussa and Georgevich conducted water patrol in the Wiggins Pass area. Two boaters were stopped and made aware of the “Idle Speed Signs”. Both were issued written warnings for violating the idle speed zone.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

COLLIER COUNTY

Officer Yurewitch and Officer Conroy responded to a report of an alligator blocking traffic and creating a public safety hazard in Collier County. The officers were able to capture the 8-ft alligator and relocate it to remote area.

Officers responded to the report of a bear that had broken through a residential screen enclosure in Golden Gate Estates. Officers Plussa and Arbogast along with the area bear biologist educated the property owners how to minimize common bear attractants. Officers issued a notice of noncompliance due the unsecured trash cans, containing food in the screened enclosure.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING – EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION

COLLIER COUNTY

While investigating a tortoise harassment report, Officer Rubenstein had contact with parents and children in the area. The kids expressed an interest in wildlife and snakes that live in the nearby woods. With the kids being out of school at this time, Officer Rubenstein asked the parent’s permission to distribute some items which included kids challenge coins, snake identification books and wildlife tracking identification guides.