FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY REPORT April 13 – 19, 2012

FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

WEEKLY REPORT

April 13 – 19, 2012

 

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 Sulin Schafer was conducting Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) inspections when she encountered a commercial fisherman who was evasive when providing his name and date of birth. When she attempted to identify him, she discovered he had an active warrant out of Georgia. After she placed him under arrest, the fisherman told her he wanted to be truthful and admitted he had given his brother’s name instead of his own because he knew that he had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. His attempted deception earned him another charge of obstruction by disguise, and he was booked into the Escambia County Jail.

 

Officers Faris Livesay and Joe Murphy were on vessel patrol in the Gulf of Mexico approximately two miles south of Pensacola Pass. During a vessel inspection, the officers discovered the individuals onboard were in possession of 26 undersized triggerfish and one red snapper. Officer Livesay cited the vessel operator for possession of undersized triggerfish and possession of red snapper during closed season.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

While off duty, Officer Barnard was turkey hunting when he encountered two hunters and learned they had killed a turkey over a baited area. Officer Barnard contacted Lt. Mark Hollinhead and relayed the information. Upon the Lieutenant’s arrival, the subjects directed the officers to where they had been hunting from blinds. The blinds were positioned approximately 20 yards from corn. One of the subjects admitted he had shot at a turkey but missed and the other had killed a turkey. One of the subjects also admitted to killing a turkey at one of the baited areas the prior weekend. Both subjects were cited for taking/attempting to take turkeys less than 100 yards from a game feeding station. One of them was also cited for no turkey permit. The turkey was seized and donated to a local charity.

 

WALTON COUNTY

 

Officer Ken White received a disposition on a case for over the bag limit of turkey he encountered while patrolling Eglin Wildlife Management Area on opening weekend of the spring gobbler season. The subject was found guilty and fined $735.

 

BAY COUNTY

 

Officer Jim Moore worked a boating accident involving a personal watercraft (PWC) that struck a dock in Grand Lagoon resulting in the operator receiving a laceration. The investigation is continuing.

 

Officer Jim Moore, along with U.S. Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel, responded to a nighttime boating accident in which the operator ran a 34‑foot boat hard aground. The operator showed signs of impairment and after failing three field sobriety tasks began complaining of medical issues. The subject was transported to the hospital. Officer Moore will follow up his investigation with a subpoena for the operator’s blood alcohol results.

 

Officer Jim Moore responded to a search and rescue called in by the Bay County Sheriff's Department. Officer Moore located the subject just after midnight in West Bay.

 

Lt. Jay Chesser and Officer Kenny Atkins were on ATV beach patrol when they assisted Panama City Beach police and fire units with a subject who drowned in the surf.

 

Lieutenant Jay Chesser assisted FWC biologists and volunteers with transporting yard debris to Bird Island to be deposited for nesting material for nesting pelicans.

 

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