FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report March 11 through March 17, 2016

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

March 11 through March 17, 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

CASES

JACKSON COUNTY

Captive Wildlife Investigator Williams received a complaint through Tallahassee Communications Center in reference to an individual in Marianna, Florida who was in possession of a Burmese python.  Tallahassee dispatch emailed photos of the suspect and the snake to Investigator Williams, who positively identified the snake as a Burmese python.  The complainant, who wanted to remain anonymous, stated that the owner of the snake did not possess the proper permits, and provided an address where the suspect lived and was housing the illegal snake.  Investigator Williams and Resource Protection Officer Forehand contacted the suspect at his residence and confirmed that he was in possession of an approximately 4-foot Burmese python.  The suspect stated that he had gotten the snake about seven months earlier from an individual in the Chipley, Florida area, but he could not recall the individual’s name.  The ownership of the snake was relinquished to FWC and the suspect was issued a citation for possession of a conditional species without a permit and three written warnings for an unlocked enclosure, an unlabeled enclosure and for a reptile of concern without a PIT tag (Passive Integrated Transponder).  The snake will be placed at a licensed facility.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officers Bartlett and Pifer were on vessel patrol in the Destin Harbor conducting boating safety enforcement.  The officers observed a pontoon vessel entering the harbor in violation of the idle speed, restricted zone.  The officers stopped the vessel to address the idle speed violation.  Upon contact with the operator, Officer Bartlett observed strong indicators of impairment.  Officer Bartlett conducted field sobriety tasks on the operator and based on the indicators shown, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence.  The operator admitted he had eight to nine beers and shouldn’t have been operating a vessel.  The operator refused to provide a sample of his breath for testing.  The operator was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail where the intake process was completed.

Officers Corbin and Jarvis coordinated their efforts in investigating a derelict vessel (DV), a 32‑foot Hunter sailboat.  There has been FWC documented history/complaints with this sailboat from title/registration violations, dragging anchor during high winds/rough seas, taking on water and no navigational anchor light.  The vessel has now sunk in front of the Fort Walton Beach Landing Boat Ramp/Docking.  The DV is now impeding access to the dock and posing a navigational hazard.  The officers have completed the derelict vessel owner notification requirements.  Officer Corbin issued a citation to the owner for the derelict vessel violation.  The owner was issued another DV citation on a second vessel sunk at the Fort Walton Beach Landing.

WAKULLA COUNTY

Officers Fletcher and Nelson were working the opening morning of Youth Turkey season and observed a vehicle driving toward their position near a hunting blind. The vehicle stopped and the officers were able to hear what appeared to be two individuals exit the vehicle and continue on foot further into the woods. A short time later, they heard the hunters attempting to call a turkey and later heard a gunshot from the direction of the hunters. The officers made contact with the two hunters in a blind a short distance past the Jeep, at which time Officer Nelson observed a feeder a short distance away. A search of the area revealed multiple piles of corn within 25 yards of the hunting blind. The hunters were then interviewed and admitted to intentionally hunting over bait. Appropriate charges and citations were then issued.

Officers Miller, Boutwell and Raker were working the opening morning of Youth Turkey season and observed an individual walk past their position near a hunting blind, carrying turkey decoys. The hunter positioned both decoys in front of the blind under a feeder and then entered the blind. The hunter began attempting to call a turkey and, after a while, a gobbler answered him. The hunter then left the blind taking one of the decoys and began walking in the direction of the gobbler. At this time, the officers made contact with the hunter and conducted a search of the area which revealed corn in front of the hunting blind. The hunter was then interviewed and admitted to intentionally hunting over bait and hunting during a closed season. Appropriate charges and citations were issued.

RESCUES

Officers Bartlett and Pifer were on vessel patrol conducting boating safety enforcement in the Destin Harbor and observed a vessel in violation of the idle speed, restricted zone.  The officers stopped the vessel and learned quickly there was a medical emergency of an adult female having a seizure.  The officers directed the vessel operator on where to dock his boat and coordinated with the Tallahassee Regional Communication Center and the Emergency Medical Services to provide quick aid to the female.

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