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FWC
Division of Law Enforcement
Weekly Report
October 31 – November 6, 2014
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.
Patrol, Protect, Preserve
NORTHWEST REGION
BAY COUNTY
Officer Brady responded to a complaint received by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office regarding a person who had trespassed on a hunting lease and killed and removed a domestic hog that was being kept there in a pen. A suspect was developed and an investigation by Officer Brady determined the individual was a convicted felon who confessed to the violations. The firearm used to kill the hog was seized as well as the meat. After meeting with the local State Attorney, three felony warrants were obtained charging the suspect with felon in possession of a firearm, armed trespass, and grand theft. The suspect was located and booked into the Bay County Jail.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Cushing waited at Bayou Texar Boat Ramp late on Monday night for a vessel to return. He made contact with the first subject on the dock and asked if they caught any fish. The subject stated that they caught some red fish. Officer Cushing asked if they kept any of them. He said yes. When Officer Cushing approached the vessel, the second subject on the boat lifted the cooler up and said, “You can write me the ticket. It was my fault.” Inside the cooler was five undersized red fish, the biggest measuring 15 inches. Citations were issued.
Officer Cushing was conducting fisheries inspections at the Navy Point Boat Ramp. During one inspection, he checked a vessel returning from the bay. When he asked the persons onboard if they had any fish, he was told they only had "lizard fish." When Officer Cushing looked inside the cooler, he saw a gray triggerfish in addition to the “lizard fish." When he asked them the minimum size limit for triggerfish, he was initially told 14 inches. The fish measured 12 inches to the fork. Then he was told the fish only needed to be 10 inches. Officer Cushing pointed out on their boat ruler where it indicates the minimum size limit for gray triggerfish is 14 inches. A citation was issued.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
On October 8, Officers Louque and Wilcox received a complaint of a dead bear in the Flint Rock Wildlife Management Area. When they located the bear, Officers Louque and Wilcox discovered a section of a crossbow shaft stuck in the bear. The bear was located in close proximity to a ladder stand and there was corn spread throughout the area. Armed with only that information, Officer Louque was able to narrow the search down to one suspect. With the help of FWC Investigations and other state and federal officers, Officer Louque conducted surveillance on the area for the next two weeks. At the end of the surveillance, Officer Louque had obtained enough evidence to get a search warrant for the subject’s house, where he found more evidence to support his suspicions and received a full confession from the subject for killing a black bear, hunting over bait in a management area, and theft of state equipment. On November 3, the Jefferson County Judge and Assistant State Attorney agreed with Officer Louque’s finding and issued a summons to the suspect for killing a black bear, hunting over bait in a management area, interference with an FWC officer, and petit theft.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Molnar conducted a traffic stop in Rocky Bayou State Park for failure to wear a required seat belt. Upon investigation, the driver’s license was suspended and he had three prior convictions for driving while license suspended. He was arrested and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail.
Officer Maltais was working illegal entry and exit from Eglin Wildlife Management Area. From a concealed location, he observed a vehicle drive down the road toward the locked gate. Two subjects utilized a pair of pliers to assist in lowering the cable gate so the vehicle could pass through. Officer Maltais conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle after it passed through the gate. Citations were issued to both subjects.
Officers Bartlett and Jarvis were assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with security around USCG Destin due to the heightened threat level during their annual haunted house. One vehicle passed through the gate and donated a bag with several canned goods inside. The bag was dripping with an opened beer inside. Officer Bartlett approached the vehicle and after speaking to the operator, he determined there were several violations. The operator was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended driver’s license with knowledge, operating a motor vehicle with a tag not assigned, and cited for open container.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Jones was on water patrol on the East River in Navarre. He received a request for assistance from Santa Rosa Fire Rescue regarding a vehicle and a person in the water on Yellow River. This was at the end of Ward Basin Road. Officer Jones responded to the location by boat where he found a vehicle in the water on the opposite shore. The victim, who had already been retrieved from the water, was readied for transport and flown to Sacred Heart Hospital by helicopter. A minor fuel spill resulted which was referred to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection who responded.
Officer Jones was on patrol on a paved road within the Eglin Reservation and Wildlife Management Area. He encountered an ATV which was traveling in the opposite direction on the highway. Officer Jones attempted a traffic stop, but the operator fled into the woods on the vehicle. Officer Jones followed its last route on an unnumbered forest trail. There he encountered a large group of people around a fire in the woods nearby. He called for assistance before making contact with the group and shortly thereafter Investigator Hughes and Officers Hutchinson and Barnard arrived to assist. After making contact, numerous subjects attempted to flee the area and many were detained. A total of 22 notices to appear (in court) were issued to those detained for trespassing on Eglin Wildlife Management Area during a time closed to the public. One citation was issued for operating an ATV on the Eglin Management Area.
WASHINGTON/HOLMES COUNTY
Officers Yates, Jackson, Letcher, and Lieutenant Walsingham concluded a two month investigation with assistance from Investigator Thomas that involved the unlawful taking and sale of deer. The investigation started with a Wildlife Alert complaint relating to carcass dumping and postings on a social media site of possibly illegally taken deer. After numerous interviews, it was determined that seven individuals from the Westville, Caryville, and Five Points area had been taking deer illegally (at night and out of season) and selling them. Charges were filed this week with the State Attorney’s Office and ranged from taking deer during closed season, sale of illegally taken deer (felony), possession of freshly killed deer during closed season (buyer), illegal purchase of deer, and littering of the carcasses. Approximately 150 pounds of fresh deer meat packaged for sale was seized.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
LEON COUNTY
Investigator Dupree conducted an outreach event at a local college. She presented an environmental Power Point presentation to three different classes, totaling 140 students. Investigator Dupree covered environmental laws under Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and Department of Environmental Protection regulatory rules.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Corbin presented the laws portion of the Hunter Education course held at Uncle Buck’s in Destin. There were 31 students in attendance. He provided information and answered questions.
WALTON COUNTY
Officer Tison spoke at a Kiwanis Club meeting in DeFuniak Springs. There were more than 30 people in attendance, most of whom were business owners and landowners in the community. Officer Tison spoke about FWC’s efforts in encouraging better deer management on all state and private land and the new rules regarding antler restrictions, about a career as an FWC officer, and some of the basic goals of the FWC.
Lieutenant Hollinhead, Officers Brooks, Tison, and Letcher attended a public meeting with Northwest Florida Water Management District personnel at Red Bay about a proposed camping rule which will require reservations to camp at designated camping areas on the Choctawhatchee River. Approximately 138 people were in attendance.
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