FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report February 12 through February 18, 2016

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

February 12 through February 18, 2016

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

CALHOUN COUNTY

Officers Guy and Baber responded to a complaint in which a citizen heard three gunshots at night. A nearby deputy stopped a suspect vehicle. When Officers Guy and Baber arrived on scene, they found a 12-gauge shotgun, two spent shells and a spotlight inside the vehicle. Along the roadway, the officers also located fresh blood. The suspect admitted that he shot at a group of deer. The suspect was charged with night hunting and road hunting. The shotgun and spotlight were seized as evidence.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

While working offshore and south of Little St. George Island in the Patrol Vessel Guardian, the crew consisting of Lieutenant Marlow, Officers Hughes, Miller, Nelson, Raker and Robb observed several shrimping vessels.  They noticed that one of the vessels appeared to be in nearshore waters and approximately two nautical miles from shore.  The Guardian pulled up to the stern of the vessel and observed rigging for three nets deployed into the water and trawling for shrimp.  They also observed that the vessel was not displaying the proper navigational lights for trawling at night.  A vessel stop was conducted and the officers found other boating safety violations and observed that the nets appeared to be oversized.  The vessel captain stated that he knew he was too close to shore for his gear and method.  The nets were measured and were approximately twice the legal size.  The appropriate charges and warnings were issued to the vessel captain and the nets were seized as evidence.

Officers Matechik and Stephens were driving across the St. George Island Bridge when they observed a vessel coming from the Eastpoint channel headed westward. They noticed the vessel was operating without navigational lights and appeared to be an oyster vessel. Officers Matechik and Stephens concealed their location and waited to see if the vessel would return to the area.  Officer Robb arrived a short time later to assist. After a short time, Officers Matechik, Stephens and Robb observed a vessel coming from the west back towards the Eastpoint channel operating without navigational lights.  The officers then observed a vehicle back down the Eastpoint boat ramp and a vessel being loaded onto a trailer. The vehicle then pulled out of the ramp. Officer Robb went to the boat ramp where he observed a water trail which he followed to a residence in Eastpoint.  Officer Robb pulled into the residence and saw a wet oyster boat with tongs onboard backed under a carport. He made contact with the two individuals at the residence who admitted to harvesting oysters earlier that evening from Catpoint oyster bar, which was closed to the harvest of shellfish.  Officers Matechik and Stephens arrived at the residence to assist with a resource inspection.  The individuals were in possession of eight large untagged and unculled bags of oysters, and a half bag of untagged and unculled oysters.  The individuals were charged with harvesting oysters after sunset and before sunrise, harvesting in a closed area, possession of unculled oysters, over the bag limit and untagged bags of oysters. The oysters were returned to the water alive.

JACKSON COUNTY

Officer Forehand investigated a trespass complaint from a landowner in which a suspect was seen hunting on the landowner’s property. During the investigation, Officer Forehand identified the suspect. A records check showed the suspect was a convicted felon currently on felony probation. After reviewing the case with the local State Attorney, the suspect was charged with felony trespass, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violation of probation.

http://live.oysterradio.com/