FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY REPORT October 12 - 18, 2012

FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

WEEKLY REPORT

October 12 - 18, 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

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Lieutenants Keith Clark and Fred Rondeau were conducting a fisheries inspection on a commercial fishing vessel in the Fort Walton Beach area. While gathering the crew information, one of the subjects appeared nervous. This subject left the boat and attempted to slip away from the area. The lieutenants stopped the subject and instructed him to stay on scene until they completed their inspection. The name the subject provided to Lieutenant Clark was his brother’s name. After revealing his true identity, a computer check revealed the subject had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. Officer Ryan Nelson arrived on scene to assist with the arrest. Officer Nelson arrested the subject for the warrant and for giving a false name.

 

BAY COUNTY

 

Officers Nick Price and Karl Hellett were conducting fisheries inspections when they stopped a vessel coming in from the Gulf. When asked if they had any fish on board, the operator of the vessel replied that he did not as they had been tuna fishing with no luck. Officer Hellett went onboard the vessel and asked the operator again if there were any fish onboard, and he replied, “No.” Officer Hellett inspected the live well and found a 20‑inch gag grouper. The operator was issued a citation for the undersized grouper.

 

While conducting marine fisheries enforcement in the Mexico Beach Canal, Officer Matt Webb located a subject returning from a day of fishing in the Gulf. During the inspection, Officer Webb located two red snapper, one of which was undersized. The subject was charged with taking red snapper during closed season, and issued a warning for possession of undersized red snapper. Last fall the same individual was issued a citation for possession of undersized black sea bass.

 

Officer Jim Moore responded to a disturbance call at a local vessel livery that involved a female physically battering her fiancée at several locations including St. Andrews Bay and Shell Island. The group was located, injuries were noted and photographed, and statements taken. The female was booked into the Bay County Jail for domestic battery.

 

LEON COUNTY

 

Plain-clothes Officer Chris Jones was working a trespass complaint. During the investigation, he encountered two subjects trespassing and fishing on the property. Both subjects were in possession of numerous undersized bass, cited for possession of undersized bass, and given trespass warnings.

 

Lt. Kent Harvey responded to a residence where a homeowner had shot a black bear. Upon arrival, officers on scene were taken to the location where the bear was shot. Lieutenant Harvey turned the investigation over to Investigator James Bryant who also responded. The bear and gun were seized; the case is currently under investigation and will be reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office. Officers Jason Carroll and Seth Wagner assisted in the response and investigation.

 

WAKULLA COUNTY

 

Plain-clothes officers Jason Carroll and Steven Cook were working information about people harvesting shellfish in closed areas. During the investigation, they located two subjects in a closed area harvesting shellfish. The area where they were harvesting oysters was consistent with information received by the officers. The two officers stopped the vessel and cited both subjects for harvesting shellfish in a closed area. The shellfish were returned to the water.

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