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
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Joe Murphy and Captain Mary Sumner were on water patrol on Perdido Bay when they observed two men fishing. Upon checking the men, the officers discovered one of them in possession of an undersize red drum measuring 12 inches. Neither of the fishermen, who were from Alabama, possessed non-resident saltwater fishing licenses. Officer Murphy cited one fisherman for the undersize red drum. Written warnings were issued to both fishermen for failure to possess valid fishing licenses.
Lt. Dan Hahr was working enhanced patrol in Perdido River Wildlife Management Area. He observed four subjects park their vehicle in front of a posted sign advising that alcohol was prohibited, then carry a cooler into the area. When the subjects met another group that had just been checked, they hurriedly hid their cooler and bags. Lieutenant Hahr checked their equipment and found the cooler was full of beer and a bag contained a glass pipe and a pill bottle containing several cannabis buds. A female admitted that the bag was hers. Citations were issued to the four subjects for possession of alcoholic beverages in a management area and possession of cannabis. Lieutenant Hahr received consent to search the subjects' van. Inside, a tin was found containing a baggy of what appeared to be Ecstasy pills. One female stated that she was holding them for two of the other subjects. Lieutenant Hahr seized the pills and paraphernalia. Charges for possession of a controlled substance will be filed against one or more of the subjects once positive identification of the pills is made.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Matt Webb and Lt. Keith Clark were on water patrol conducting boating safety and state fisheries inspections near Destin Pass. Officer Webb observed individuals fishing from a vessel under the Destin Bridge. He pulled alongside the vessel and asked the operator if they had caught any fish. The operator appeared nervous and initially answered they had caught only ladyfish and bluefish. When the operator was asked if he kept any fish that were caught, he replied, “No.” Officer Webb instructed the operator to lift the fish compartments. As the operator was lifting the cooler, he admitted they caught two red drum and stated one was right at 27 inches. The inspection of the fish revealed a 30‑inch oversize red drum. One of the two passengers admitted to harvest/possession of the oversize red drum and was issued a citation for the violation. Additionally, the operator was cited for an expired five year saltwater fishing license and issued four written warnings for various boating safety equipment violations.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Officer Warren Walsingham responded to assist the Washington County Sheriff’s Office regarding a complaint from two men who were frog gigging in a slough on the Choctawhatchee River. While in their boat in the slough near a residence, the men alleged that a subject threatened them and asked them to leave and not fish there. After an exchange of words, the subject allegedly shot into the water near them with an assault rifle. The officers were unable to contact the suspect. The sheriff’s office is handling the follow-up investigation on this case.
Officers Warren Walsingham and Lane Kinney testified in a jury trial on a case made for boating under the influence in Okaloosa County during the Billy Bow Legs event. After a daylong trial, the jury found the defendant guilty. The judge found him guilty, imposed a $1000 fine and $488 in court costs, sentenced him to 12 months probation, ordered him to attend DUI school, and impounded his vessel for two weeks.
Officer Lane Kinney responded to assist in identifying wildlife and bird parts found during a search warrant served by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Kinney seized three raptor talons for identification. An FWC biologist confirmed the species as being a Cooper’s hawk. Officer Kinney arranged for the defendant to sign his misdemeanor citation while in the Washington County Jail on unrelated charges.
BAY COUNTY
In March 2009, Officer Nick Price worked a case involving a sailboat where the title had not been transferred. He spoke with the owner who asked for 30 days to transfer the title. Officer Price issued a written warning and advised the owner to handle the problem. Last week, Officer Price encountered the same sailboat and the owner still had not transferred the title. A citation was issued.
Officer Joe Chambers checked a subject who was found to have felony theft warrants from North Carolina. The subject was booked into the Bay County Jail for the warrants.
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