FWC
Division of Law Enforcement
Weekly Report
April 3, 2015 thru April 9, 2015
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
Officers Gore and Moore found a vessel with three commercial oystermen harvesting shell stock in a closed area. A resource inspection also found oysters mixed in and around the vessel’s gasoline tank. Citations were issued for these violations and the product was returned to the water.
Officer Gore was working St. Andrews State Park when he observed a truck skid to a stop to avoid ramming the park’s entrance gate. The truck then backed up and sped toward the gate, again slamming on its brakes. Officer Gore approached the driver, who admitted to drinking six beers and one mixed drink over the last four hours. Field sobriety tasks were given and failed, and a breath sample showed a .167/.164 blood alcohol content (BAC). The operator was arrested and charged with driving with a BAC over .08 and careless operation of a vehicle.
Officer Moore investigated a boat fire at a local marina that caused $12,500 in estimated damages. The fire was found to have started from an electrical issue at a shore power outlet, causing one vessel to catch fire. The fire resulted in damage to three nearby vessels and the marina’s dock.
Officer Brady received information concerning a Mako shark that had been illegally harvested by harpooning and the act was posted on Facebook. Officer Brady found the vessel and escorted it to the dock where Officer T. Basford met him to assist with the case. Investigator Thomas was contacted concerning having the Facebook video downloaded for evidence. The shark was identified as a short finned Mako that had been harvested in state waters. The fish was photographed, weighed (507 pounds) and placed on bid. The violator, who said he was commercial fishing, was cited for illegal method of take and improper federal permit. The harpoon was seized, the shark sold to a local wholesale market and the proceeds of the sale placed in an escrow account.
HOLMES COUNTY
Lieutenant Walsingham followed up on information of possible illegal turkey hunting and after an investigation, filed charges with the State Attorney’s Office. Two Bonifay juveniles were charged with taking over the daily bag limit of turkey and taking over the season bag limit of turkey. A total of six gobblers had been killed during two incidents by the pair.
WALTON COUNTY
Officer Letcher received a call of an individual working a suspicious net at the end of Highway 331 Causeway. Officer Letcher responded and observed an individual working a monofilament gill net from the beach. As Officer Letcher approached, the subject fled on foot. Officer Tison and Lieutenant Walsingham responded to assist and a perimeter was established with the assistance of the Walton County Sheriff’s Department. The Walton Correctional Institution K9 Team was notified and upon their arrival, the subject emerged from the woods and surrendered. The subject was arrested and charged with felony use of a monofilament entanglement net and two other associated misdemeanors. The net measured over 1000 square feet.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Officer Kinney responded to a report of overdue boaters on Econfina Creek. The subjects had not allotted enough time to make it to their destination before dark. Officer Kinney advised them to continue down the creek and he would meet them at Walsingham Bridge. A short time before dark, the subjects arrived and Officer Kinney transported them to their vehicles.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis made contact with two females picking ferns in Blackwater River State Forest. Picking plants in the forest is prohibited. Officer Lewis recognized the two females as subjects he previously warned for picking ferns. Officer Lewis issued citations to the pair.
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