The Meatheads of the Week

NORTHWEST REGION

 

BAY COUNTY

 

During a seafood dealer inspection at a fish house, Officers Basford and Wicker discovered that the freshwater fish dealer license was expired. The business had a striped bass and frog legs displayed for sale, both freshwater species. Also displayed for sale were a red grouper and a porgy that were not fit for consumption. Appropriate citations were issued to the owner.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Officer Pifer was on patrol at the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and made separate cases for over the bag limit of red drum, two undersized Spanish mackerel and an undersized pompano. Three subjects were issued notices to appear for the violations.

 

Officers Nichols and Jarvis responded to two different communities regarding complaints of bears getting in garbage. Both officers contacted the homeowners. Officer Nichols observed two garbage cans that were knocked over with the contents spread out on the lawn. Both cans were modified with latches to secure the lids, but the latches were not used. Three homeowners were educated about the importance of securing their garbage cans and were issued non-compliance notification letters.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Officer Maltais presented the laws and ethics portion of the Hunter Education program on Saturday with 39 students in attendance. One student attended the course to meet the requirements for the Florida Concealed Carry Weapon Permit.

 

 

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

 

CASES

 

ALACHUA COUNTY

 

Officers Troiano and Reith were checking previously located bait sites in Grove Park Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Monday around noontime when the officers split up to cover a wider area. While Officer Troiano was walking into one of the bait sites, he noticed an individual spreading corn from a backpack. From a concealed location, Officer Troiano watched the man empty the backpack in front of a tree stand. The man stated he knew it was wrong but he had not been seeing any deer so he decided to place bait in the area. The subject was escorted back to his vehicle and issued a citation for placing bait on a WMA.

 

BAKER COUNTY

 

Officer Burnsed received information about several deer being killed during the closed season. The deer had been shot at night with a rifle by several individuals. The officer immediately began gathering additional information on the subjects and performing surveillance. The subjects in question were interviewed by the officer about the deer. The subjects were untruthful about the deer killed, but after providing the subjects with proof of photographs and statements that they had killed numerous deer illegally, the subjects admitted to some of their illegal activities. The subjects will be charged with four counts of taking/possession of deer during the closed season, taking deer by illegal method and the taking of a short-antlered buck.

 

K-9 Officer Gill was working a complaint from Rayonier Timber Company about an individual who attempted to lease 500 acres from them as hunting property. A representative from the timber company advised the officer that the individual had given them four worthless checks in trying to lease the property. The company also advised that numerous people have been hunting the property without permission. The officer approached the hunters on the property who advised him that they had given money to an individual to hunt the property which they found in an ad through a website. It was determined that ten hunters responded to the ad, met with the same individual on the property in question and had paid anywhere from $800 to $2,000 dollars to hunt. All the hunters were interviewed and supplied written statements to the officer, along with proof of payment to the suspect for the lease. The suspect in question was interviewed by the officer about the illegal activity. The suspect admitted to writing one bad check and had spent most of the monies received from the hunters. After meeting with the state attorney and property owner, it was determined that the suspect had indeed run a scam to obtain money from unsuspecting hunters and had placed them on unauthorized property. Four counts of felony-issuing of fraudulent checks and one count of felony fraud-swindle will be filed through the State Attorney’s Office on the suspect.

 

COLUMBIA COUNTY

 

Officers Johnston and Drew were on water patrol on the Santa Fe River when they conducted a vessel stop and found registration violations along with a safety gear violation. The officers asked the operator to pull to the side of the river and while preparing to issue warnings for the violations, the officers asked the vessel occupants about the presence of any illegal fish, narcotics or firearms that may be on the vessel. A passenger replied by stating he wanted to be honest and he produced a bag of cannabis from his person and turned it over to Officer Drew. Officer Drew thanked the subject for his honesty and informed him he was going to be temporarily detained for a search of his person for any additional illicit items. The subject responded by suddenly tossing a methamphetamine pipe into the Santa Fe River. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Columbia County Jail where he was booked for tampering with evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis.

 

DIXIE COUNTY

 

Officers Butler and Sheffield were on water patrol when they observed a vessel in an area closed to the harvest of oysters. They approached the subjects to conduct a resource inspection. During the resource inspection, they discovered the subjects were in possession of oysters. The subjects were issued citations for harvesting oysters from a prohibited area.

 

Lieutenant Futch was working in a local WMA, focusing on illegal baiting, when he followed fresh footprints that eventually led to a tree stand and fresh corn. He approached the subject who admitted to placing the corn in the WMA. The subject was issued the appropriate citation for the violation.

 

Lieutenant Futch was on land patrol when he observed a vehicle leaving a local hunting club. He observed what appeared to be a deer in the back of the vehicle. He caught up with the vehicle and noticed the deer had a large wound consistent with being shot with a high-powered rifle. Lieutenant Futch followed the vehicle to a residence to conduct a resource inspection. Following the resource inspection, he discovered the deer had been shot with a high-powered rifle during archery season. The subject was subsequently issued a citation for taking deer by illegal method.

 

Lieutenant Futch was on land patrol when he observed a vehicle driving erratically. During a traffic stop, signs of impairment by the driver were observed. The driver was asked to submit to field sobriety tests. Following field sobriety tests, the driver was placed under arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). A subsequent breath test revealed that the driver was over twice the legal limit.

 

DUVAL COUNTY

 

While on water patrol, Officers Sweat and Christmas saw a man catch and land a large red drum fish while fishing from the George Crady Fishing Bridge. The subject put the fish in his cooler and continued fishing. After a few more minutes of fishing, the subject began to pack up his equipment and exited the bridge. Officer Christmas maneuvered his patrol vessel in rough conditions to a safe location and climbed onto the bridge to attempt to approach the fisherman as he was exiting the bridge. Upon contact, the fisherman was found to be in possession of an oversized red drum. A citation was issued for the violation and the fish was released back into the water alive.

 

GILCHRIST COUNTY

 

K-9 Officer Wiggins received information from a landowner who discovered a recently killed deer on his property. Officer Wiggins arrived on the scene and determined the deer had been shot with a shotgun. He contacted the suspect who eventually admitted to shooting the deer with a shotgun during archery season. Charges will be direct filed with the State Attorney’s Office for trespassing and taking deer by illegal method.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

ALACHUA COUNTY

 

Officers have been busy with several ride-a-longs over the past few weeks. Several of the criminal justice students from the University of Florida have been scheduling rides that need to be completed before December.

 

DIXIE COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Futch assisted with the law portion of a hunter safety class held in Cross City. The topics ranged from lawful methods, WMAs, private property and other laws associated with hunting in Florida.

 

 

NORTHEAST REGION

 

CASES

 

BREVARD COUNTY

 

While on foot patrol in Titusville, Officer Rasey checked a group of subjects fishing along the Indian River. While conducting a resource inspection, it was discovered that one individual caught a 12 ¼ inch snook. The subject received citations for possessing an undersized snook and for not having a snook permit. A regulation pamphlet was also issued to him for future reference.

 

While on land patrol, Officer Rasey located several subjects fishing in a hurricane-damaged area marked “no trespassing.” Upon approach, an individual began walking away with a five-gallon bucket. A resource inspection revealed four undersized gray snapper. While on scene, a second container was inspected revealing two more illegal gray snapper. After speaking with the group, two subjects claimed possession of the snapper and advised that it was their first-time fishing in this spot. Citations and warnings were issued for the undersized snapper, as well as trespassing and saltwater license violations.

 

VOLUSIA COUNTY

 

Environmental Investigator Jabluszewski received a complaint that a subject was bringing commercial debris and trash onto his property and dumping it. It was believed he brought the debris to his property from various jobs he had been paid for and was planning to bury it. When Investigator Jabluszewski arrived at the property with inspectors, the property had been cleared and the owner advised he had the debris hauled away by a friend. Contact was made with the friend via telephone who denied hauling anything from the property except tree debris. A metal detector was used in the clearing and it was determined the debris had been buried. The subject confessed to burying the materials and was charged with operation of an illegal landfill without a permit. He will be working with the county to dig up and remove the debris to for legal disposal.

 

K-9 Officer North along with Officers Bellville, Malicoat and West conducted a foot patrol-K-9 track based on a complaint of a suspicious subject being dropped off to hunt in a local WMA. Officer North worked with K-9 Max to locate the subject. Upon contact it was discovered the subject was hunting while his license was suspended and had an active felony warrant. The subject had also harvested an 8-point buck. The subject was taken into custody for the offenses and transported to the county jail.

 

While on foot patrol, Officers Ward and Cameron located a deer stand baited with whole corn in the Lake Monroe WMA. No subject was present the day the site was located. The officers checked it again on the last day of archery season and observed a male hunter attempting to take wildlife over whole corn. Officer Cameron charged the subject with hunting over bait in the WMA.

 

While on vehicle patrol, Officer Edson observed a vehicle blow by a stopped school bus with children onboard. The bus was displaying flashing red lights and a stop sign. Officer Edson initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and found that the driver had a suspended license and a felony warrant for the sale and delivery of cocaine out of Flagler County. The driver was arrested and booked into the county jail for the warrant and driving while license suspended with knowledge. He was also cited for failing to stop for a stopped school bus.

 

 

SOUTHWEST REGION

 

CASES

 

HARDEE COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Fugate and Officers Karr, Franks and Kobs responded to a possible hunting violation after shots were heard on private property. While investigating the possible violation, two subjects were found in possession of firearms while hunting hogs in an orange grove. It was found that the subjects did not have permission to be on the property. The firearms were seized pending further investigation and charges are pending.

 

HERNANDO COUNTY

 

Officers Canamero and Sehl were on land patrol in the Chassahowitzka WMA. Officer Canamero located a tree stand that had corn and apples in front of it. The officers returned to the area that evening. A male subject was located sitting in the tree stand actively hunting. Upon making contact, the subject stated he had laid down the corn and that he knew what he was doing was wrong. The subject was issued the appropriate citations.

 

Officer Canamero was on land patrol near an area of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park that is closed to public access. He located a subject that had just jumped over the fence. The subject gave inconsistent statements regarding his identity. Rapid ID was used to determine the subject’s identity. The subject had two active warrants out of Polk County. The subject was arrested on the two outstanding warrants and charged with providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

 

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

 

Captive Wildlife Investigator Hough arrested a Tampa subject for felony littering of waste tires, felony littering and for creating a nuisance injurious to health. Investigator Hough arrested the same subject in March 2017 for the same charges. The subject was transported to the county jail.

 

While on patrol in Tampa Bay, Officer Pettifer initiated a fisheries inspection. Two fishermen stated they caught a few small cobia. Officer Pettifer inspected and measured the fish. One of the cobia measured 19-inches in length. The legal minimum size for cobia is 33-inches in length. The subject responsible for catching the 19-inch cobia was cited accordingly.

 

While conducting foot patrol under a bridge near North Tampa, Officer Caldwell observed an individual fishing. A resource inspection revealed the subject to be in possession of a 19-inch snook. The legal minimum size limit for snook is 28 inches. The individual was cited accordingly.

 

While on patrol, Officer LaRosa observed an individual fishing under a bridge. A resource inspection revealed the fisherman to be in possession of two undersized gag grouper. The fisherman was cited accordingly.

 

LEE COUNTY

 

While on patrol, Officer Hardgrove encountered two subjects who were both actively fishing. He asked if they had caught any fish and one responded by saying that they were only catching catfish, pointing to a bucket containing the catfish. The bucket appeared to be filled to the top with catfish. However, when Officer Hardgrove inspected the contents, he discovered three undersized mangrove snapper, an undersized sheepshead and a black drum buried at the bottom. When asked why they hadn’t told him about the additional fish, neither subject would provide an answer. Both subjects were issued a notice to appear in court for the undersized fish.

 

While on patrol in Matlacha, Officer Hardgrove encountered two subjects actively fishing. An inspection of their cooler revealed three mangrove snapper and one redfish, all undersized. While checking the fish in the cooler, Officer Hardgrove noticed that the subjects had a Florida sportsman fishing ruler laying on top of their gear. Both subjects were issued notice to appear citations and were charged with possession of undersized redfish and possession of undersized mangrove snapper. The undersized redfish and mangrove snapper were seized as evidence. It should be noted that both subjects had prior contact with FWC for possession of undersized fish and had received several warnings.

 

While on marine fisheries patrol on Pine Island, Officer Winton saw a commercial net fishing boat returning to the boat ramp. Officer Winton measured the seine nets that were onboard, and determined that they were of legal size but were not properly marked. It was also determined that the subject did not have a type IV throwable device onboard, and that both the primary vessel and “kicker boat” did not have hull identification numbers as required by law. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for two counts of operating a vessel without a hull identification number, and educational warnings for the other violations.

 

Officer Winton was on marine fisheries patrol at Blind Pass when he saw a group of individuals fishing from the bridge. He approached the group and asked one of the individuals if he had caught any fish. The subject stated that he had caught a redfish, and showed Officer Winton a redfish that was on the ground. The redfish was recognizable as being oversized, and measured 30-inches, well above the legal maximum size of 27-inches. The subject was written a notice to appear for the violation and was provided a copy of the fishing regulations.

 

While on marine fisheries patrol at Lover’s Key State Park, Officer Winton saw a vessel returning to the boat ramp. A fisheries inspection was conducted and revealed that one of the subjects was over the bag limit of redfish and possessed an oversized redfish. The oversized redfish measured out to 29-inches, above the legal maximum of 27-inches. The subject was written a notice to appear for the oversized redfish, and a warning for being over the bag limit. Another individual onboard was written a citation for failure to have a fishing license, and both were provided copies of the fishing regulations.

 

Officer Winton was on marine fisheries patrol in Matlacha when he noticed a group of three fishermen actively fishing from shore. An inspection of their cooler revealed 12 undersized mangrove snapper and 2 undersized sheepshead. One of the subjects was read Miranda rights, and stated that he had caught all the fish, meaning that he was also over the bag limit. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the undersized fish, and a warning for being over the bag limit. Another subject was issued a citation for failure to have a shoreline saltwater license.

 

Officer Winton was on water patrol in Pine Island Sound when he noticed a vessel operating without a current registration. During a vessel stop, the operator exhibited signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks were conducted, and it was determined that the subject was operating a vessel while impaired. As the subject was being handcuffed, he became agitated and pulled away. After being handcuffed, the subject became verbally combative and continued to disobey commands. The subject was booked into the county jail with charges for BUI and resisting an officer without violence. He was also issued three boating citations and one warning.

 

MANATEE COUNTY

 

Officer Gonzales was working land patrol around the South Skyway Fishing Pier. While on patrol, he stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on an individual fishing from the pier. During the inspection, Officer Gonzales found that the subject had caught and kept one gag grouper that was undersized. The subject was cited for possession of undersized gag grouper.

 

PINELLAS COUNTY

 

While on land patrol at the Gandy Bridge, Lieutenant Van Trees observed two males fishing and initiated a resource inspection. An undersized mangrove snapper was found and they were asked for fishing licenses and driver’s licenses. One male complied and gave over his identification, while the other refused. The second subject advised he wasn’t going to give him his identification, name or date of birth. The subject was handcuffed and eventually identified. Officers Phillippi, Wilkins and Godfrey arrived to assist shortly after. The subject also refused to sign any of his citations and was booked into the county jail on several charges.

 

While on water patrol, Officers Bibeau and Bibler observed numerous individuals that were actively fishing underneath a nearby bridge. Officer Bibler dropped Officer Bibeau off on land to conduct fisheries inspections. After the inspections, Officer Bibeau found two individuals that were in possession of 8 undersized mangrove snapper. Officer Bibeau recognized the couple from a previous inspection where he found them to be in possession of 41 undersized mangrove snapper. Officer Bibeau wrote the individuals a misdemeanor citation and a warning for the violations.

 

While on land patrol, Officer Bibeau approached two individuals that were actively fishing from the shoreline to conduct a fisheries inspection. The inspection revealed the subjects were in possession of an undersized trout and three red drum. One individual was issued a warning for possession of an undersized trout and the other individual a misdemeanor citation for being in possession of red drum over the daily bag limit.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

 

Officers have been providing guest speakers for the Ball Fishing School. Four officers have attended the fishing school for middle schoolers. These schools last the month of October and are scheduled at each of the four middle schools in Charlotte County.

 

LEE COUNTY

 

Officer Hazelwood, K-9 Officer Collazo and Investigator Ruggiero attended the Youth Empowerment Day event at Koreshan State Historic Site. The two officers and K-9 Roscoe talked to children at the event about what being an officer is all about. The children saw a patrol truck and patrol boat up close, and got to learn about our K-9 program.

 

 

SOUTH REGION A

 

CASES

 

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

 

A defendant, who in 2015 operated a vessel towing a barge that subsequently sunk in the Ft. Pierce Inlet resulting in one death, surrendered himself to the St. Lucie County Jail on October 10, 2017. He was charged by Investigator Luher with violation of navigation rules in the boating accident. After the boating fatality, the subject left the area and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

 

Officer Shermetaro conducted multiple stops involving resource inspections. One subject was found to be in possession of an undersized snook when he was observed fishing at a local bridge with a cast net. The subject stated that he caught the snook with his fishing pole and used the cast net to harvest bait. The subject was cited for the violation. On a separate incident, several other individuals were checked at a local bridge when they were observed actively fishing. While inspecting a nearby bucket, 3 undersize black drum were observed. One subject was cited for the violation. All other subjects were warned for not having a shoreline fishing license.

 

While on patrol, Officer Fretwell observed a subject walking towards a vehicle with a small cooler. An inspection of the cooler revealed an undersized snook. The subject received a citation for the violation. On a separate stop, Officer Fretwell inspected a subject that was fishing. While the subject was following licensing requirements, he was in violation of harvest requirements. He had an undersized snook and two redfish, one undersized. The other red fish was of legal size. The subject was cited for possession of undersize snook and redfish, as well as possession of over the bag limit of red fish. The subject was permitted to keep the legal sized red fish while the other two fish were seized as evidence.

 

Officer Shermetaro was on water patrol late one evening when he observed a vessel returning to a local boat ramp. A license inspection of the subjects on board revealed no violations; however, when a forward hatch was inspected for fish, several undersize snapper were discovered. The Captain of the vessel took responsibility and was issued a citation for the violation. The fish were photographed for evidence and were released back into the water alive.

 

 

SOUTH REGION B

 

CASES

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

Officers Plussa and Knutson were conducting water patrol off Marco Island when they stopped a vessel that was violating a slow speed zone and conducted a safety inspection. They determined it was a rental vessel and that it was missing a sound signaling device and a properly serviceable fire extinguisher. After speaking with the operator about his rental experience, they determined that the rental facility did not properly give the operator pre-ride instructions on vessel controls nor did they review the safety equipment checklist. The officers proceeded to the rental facility for follow-up investigation. They determined the rental employee was not properly licensed to rent vessels, the livery did not possess the required insurance, and did not complete pre-ride instruction or inspection of the vessel’s safety gear prior to the rental. The employees were issued appropriate citations.

 

Officers Plussa and Knutson were conducting water patrol in state waters when they encountered a large cabin vessel displaying an expired registration decal. During the vessel inspection, a records check indicated the vessel’s title had been canceled and the registration had been expired for multiple years. The officers issued the owner two notice to appear citations for the violations.

 

Lieutenant Mahoney and Officers Plussa, Yurewitch, Knutson and Arbogast assisted the US Coast Guard, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and FEMA contractors in locating, raising, and removing dozens of vessels from waterways that were displaced due to Hurricane Irma. Officers are in the process of identifying and notifying vessel owners of their condition and the requirement to claim them within 30 days.

 

Officer Arbogast and Investigator Reid White received information from Officer Price (an officer in Lee County) who had received a call from a fisherman at Blind Pass. The caller provided the license plate number of a vehicle that departed with three male individuals who had caught and kept several undersized black drum and one oversized redfish. Officer Price forwarded the information to Collier County because the registered address of the vehicle was a Naples address. Officer Arbogast and Investigator White went to the address provided to possibly intercept the vehicle as they were coming home. Investigator White found the three male individuals in the rear of their apartment complex about to filet the fish. Measuring the fish revealed that there were five undersized black drum and one 39” redfish. Post Miranda, one individual took full responsibility and possession of the illegal sized fish and was issued a notice to appear.

 

Officer Arbogast was conducting vessel inspections from his marked patrol vehicle at a local boat ramp. The operator of a docking vessel exited the vessel and staggered to his vehicle. The subject drove his vehicle to the ramp and then backed his trailer into the water. The driver’s eyes were extremely bloodshot and glassy, his speech was consistently and extremely slurred, the odor of alcohol was emanating from his breath during conversation and there were many empty alcohol containers in the vessel. The operator consented to seated field sobriety tasks which he performed poorly. Officer Plussa arrived on scene to assist. Post SFSTs, Officer Arbogast placed the operator under arrest for BUI and DUI. Officer Plussa transported the operator to jail where he also administered implied consent. The operator refused to provide a breath sample and was charged accordingly.

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

 

Captive Wildlife Investigator Smith responded to a report of a Kinkajou roaming a neighborhood. He located the animal and chemically immobilized it, allowing for its capture, and transported the animal to a licensed facility. A follow up investigation was unable to determine who the owner of the animal was or where it originated from.

 

Officers from Miami-Dade, Monroe County and Collier County patrolled the waters of Miami-Dade during the Columbus Day weekend, focusing on boating safety and BUI violations. Officers stopped 457 vessels, checked 1276 users, issued 173 UBCs and 135 warnings, arrested 5 suspects for BUI and issued 13 misdemeanor citations.

 

Officers from Monroe County alongside with FWC Investigations in Miami-Dade successfully recovered a stolen PWC and returned it to the extremely grateful owners. Charges are pending for the individuals suspected of stealing the PWC.

 

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

Officer Plussa was contacted by a concerned citizen about a possible gopher tortoise incident in Marco Island. Officer Arbogast was dispatched to the location to investigate possible destruction of their burrows. Officer Arbogast determined there were no violations. Officer Plussa was later contacted by a different citizen about the same incident. Officer Plussa and Arbogast spoke with biologists, City of Marco Island environmental specialists, and concerned citizens about the incident and the action taken.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

Officer Araujo and Yurewitch attended multiple Collier County Sheriff’s Office-sponsored Community Safety Events. They were joined by many different local and county law enforcement agencies to educate the public on positive community oriented policing. Among the attractions were Collier County’s newest swamp buggy. Children and parents learned about what it’s like to be an FWC officer. Officer Araujo and Yurewitch made many positive contacts with the public during these events.

 

MONROE COUNTY

 

Officer Dube attended the 50/20 anniversary for 50 years as World Wide Sportsman and 20 years as Bass Pro Shops at their location in Islamorada. Officer Dube set up a booth to hand out literature, regulations and answer questions. Officer Dube was also able to get some leads on potential applicants as there were approximately 500 visitors that attended the event.