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
Lt. Brian Lambert was on patrol and checked the Pipes area of Perdido River Wildlife Management Area. Possession of alcohol is not allowed in this area. When Lieutenant Lambert approached the area, he observed two individuals drinking beer. One individual was determined to be less than 21 years old. Lieutenant Lambert issued citations for the violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Ben Pineda and David Jernigan were on water patrol near the Pensacola Pass area conducting fishery inspections on vessels returning from the Gulf and individuals fishing from shore. While checking several fishermen from shore, one was found to be in possession of an undersized red drum. The subject stated he knew the size limits, had measured it, but decided to keep it because he thought he would not get checked.
After dark, Officer Ben Pineda and Department of Environmental Protection Officer Jim Hughes were on patrol in Blackwater State Forest when they observed several individuals attempting to break into a state park pay station. After investigation, the subjects admitted to trying to get the money out of the pay station. Officers recovered two bolt cutters, a rifle, and a box of ammunition. A computer check revealed one subject to be a runaway juvenile with an active outstanding warrant. Additionally, the computer check revealed the owner/possessor of the rifle had a court ordered domestic violence injunction with special provisions against possessing ammunition and/or firearms. Both individuals were arrested for the attempted burglary, warrant and violation of the injunction, and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Officer Royce Johnson completed a derelict vessel investigation involving a 28‑foot derelict vessel submerged in the Blackwater Bay area. Over the course of the investigation, Officer Johnson located the last registered owner and gave him ample time to remove the vessel. The vessel remained submerged and Officer Johnson cited the owner for the violation. Officer Johnson is working with a local volunteer group to have the vessel removed from the water.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Lt. Mark Hollinhead and Officer Danny Arnette responded to a report of overdue boaters on the Shoal River. Four subjects started their journey down the river late in the day. It became dark prior to reaching the boat ramp and the crew docked on a sandbar approximately two miles from their destination. Lieutenant Hollinhead and Officer Arnette located the subjects and assisted them safely down river to the Shoal River Boat Ramp.
Officers Pete Rockwell, Alan Kirchinger, and Matt Webb were on vessel patrol conducting boating safety inspections and state fisheries enforcement near the Destin Pass when they observed a 25‑foot vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico. During the boating safety equipment inspection, the officers determined the boat was returning from a fishing trip and asked the operator what they caught. The operator replied, “Amberjack.” The fisheries inspection revealed an undersized greater amberjack, measuring 28 inches. The legal minimum size for greater amberjack is 30 inches with a closed season from June 1 - July 31. Officer Kirchinger educated the operator and passengers of the closed season for greater amberjack and the size limit. The operator was cited for the possession of an undersized greater amberjack and issued a written warning for the closed season violation.
Officer Matt Webb was on vessel patrol conducting boating safety inspections and state fisheries enforcement near the Destin Pass area when he observed two vessels returning from the Gulf of Mexico. During the boating safety equipment inspections for each vessel, Officer Webb determined the boats were returning from a fishing trip and asked both operators what they had caught. Each operator responded, ”Red snapper.” The fisheries inspection revealed both operators were in possession of over the bag limit of red snapper. Both were cited accordingly. In addition, one operator was in possession of an undersized gag grouper and an undersized gray triggerfish. This operator also received a written warning for possession of gag grouper during closed season and was cited for possession of the undersized fish.
Officer Ryan Nelson was on vessel patrol conducting boating safety inspections and state fisheries/JEA enforcement near the Destin Pass and observed a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico. During the boating safety equipment inspection, Officer Nelson determined the boat was returning from a fishing trip and asked the operator what he caught. The operator answered, “Red snapper”. The fisheries inspection revealed over the bag limit of red snapper. The bag limit for red snapper is two per person per day. The operator was cited for the violation.
Officer Alan Kirchinger was on water patrol near the Crab Island area when he observed a personal watercraft (PWC) operating on a full plane within the no wake/idle speed zone. Upon stopping the PWC, Officer Kirchinger saw that one of the three occupants onboard was a 5‑year‑old child. As Officer Kirchinger spoke to the operator, he noticed signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks confirmed the operator was impaired. Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Destin arrived to assist with returning the passengers and the PWC safely to shore. Officer Kirchinger transported the operator to the Destin Coast Guard Station. Once at the Coast Guard Station, the operator agreed to provide a breath sample to determine breath alcohol content. The breath sample registered .138 and .157. The subject was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail and charged with boating under the influence. Additionally, the subject was cited for the idle zone violation.
BAY COUNTY
Officer Dennis Palmer received a disposition regarding an illegal deer case he made two years ago on a subject who shot a deer off a fenced hunting lease. The subject was fined $1,571 with $443 going toward the cost of investigation. The rifle is to be forfeited and the subject has been placed on probation for one year, during which he cannot possess a firearm or hunt.
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