FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report July 29 through August 4, 2016

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FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

   

  Weekly Report

July 29 through August 4, 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

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Allgood was on water patrol near the Big Lagoon State Park conducting fisheries and boating safety inspections when he observed a vessel with no registration numbers displayed on the starboard side of the vessel. While conducting a boating safety inspection, there were several signs that indicated the operator was impaired. Officer Allgood asked the operator if he would consent to performing the standard field alcohol tasks and the operator agreed to do so. After administering these tasks, Officer Allgood developed probable cause to believe that the operator was in fact operating a vessel under the influence, and the subject was arrested for BUI.

Officers Clark and Manning were dispatched to a civil disturbance in the Little Sabine area. FWC Dispatch advised that a female complainant and her children were being threatened while paddle boarding by a male subject. The male subject was making threatening physical and verbal gestures and during the confrontation, then went to a nearby residence and boarded a vessel. The male subject started to return to where the female and children were, but then decided to exit Little Sabine Bay. The female gave a description of the subject and his vessel. Officers Clark and Manning located the vessel matching the description and made contact with the operator, who was intoxicated and showing multiple signs of impairment. The operator refused to perform the field alcohol tasks. Officer Clark arrested the operator for BUI. The subject later refused to submit to a breath test and was transported to the Escambia County Jail. Additional charges are pending upon completion of the investigation.

HOLMES COUNTY

Officer Yates responded to a trespass call and arrived to find a subject working on a junk car. During the investigation, Officer Yates determined that the subject had bought the car, but did not have permission to be on the property where the car was being stored. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine, cannabis and drug paraphernalia. The subject was issued a written warning for trespass and booked into the Holmes County Jail for the drug violations. Charges for the stolen property are being investigated.

LEON COUNTY

Lieutenant Marlow and Officer Raker were working the Apalachicola National Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA) regarding complaints of damage to managed lands. They observed an individual operating an ATV close to midnight (after designated hours) and being followed by a vehicle. The individual on the ATV then used his ATV to cause damage to the managed lands in an intersection of the road. The officers observed the individuals drive their vehicles into a closed area and throw beer cans into the woods. Illegal drugs were also located near the beer cans. Appropriate action was taken for the violations.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officer Corbin was on vessel patrol in the area of Crab Island/Destin Pass conducting boating safety and resource protection and observed two individuals snorkeling at the end of the Destin West Jetty. Officer Corbin observed one of the snorkelers in possession of a loaded spear gun while snorkeling. A fisheries inspection revealed one mangrove snapper which had been speared. Spearfishing is prohibited around the east and west jetties in the Destin Pass. The snorkeler was issued a notice to appear citation.

Officer Corbin was on land patrol and observed two individuals leaving a known popular spot for fishing for inshore marine species. After making contact with both individuals, he determined that both individuals were fishing. A fisheries inspection revealed one undersized red drum and one undersized mangrove snapper. One of the individuals admitted harvesting/possessing the undersized red drum and mangrove snapper. The individual was issued a notice to appear citation and written warning.

Officers Molnar and Pifer responded by vessel to a boating accident that occurred in the East Pass. The vessels involved were a personal watercraft (PWC) and a tri-hull-style catamaran. Officer Molnar made contact with both vessel operators. While Officer Molnar was interviewing the PWC operator, he noticed signs that the operator was impaired and requested the operator to perform field alcohol tasks. Based on the performed tasks, the operator was arrested for BUI. The operator provided a breath sample and a urine sample. He was transported and booked into the Okaloosa County Jail. Officer Pifer issued a citation to the PWC operator for violation of navigational rule (improper lookout).

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officers Hutchinson and Clark were on land patrol conducting fisheries and license checks in the Yellow River WMA. They made contact with a male subject at the end of Log Lake Road who was standing by the river. There was also a running vehicle with a female asleep in the passenger side. He immediately stated he had not been driving. The officers identified the subjects through FWC Dispatch and both subjects had active warrants out of Santa Rosa County. Both subjects were placed into custody and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.

Officers Hutchinson and Clark were on vessel patrol conducting boating safety and fishery checks on Blackwater River. The officers observed a male and female fishing from the bank just south of the Shell Pile Boat Ramp. When the officers made contact, there was a bag of white powder and glass pipe in plain view next to the male. During this time, another male had walked over to the area. When the officers identified both males and female, FWC Dispatch advised the female had an active warrant out of Pasco County and the male subject that was not fishing had an active warrant locally. All three subjects were placed into custody. The male that was fishing was charged with possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. The female and male were charged with active warrants.

WAKULLA COUNTY

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Raker and Hofheinz were working the Apalachicola National Forest regarding complaints of damage to managed lands. Lieutenant Marlow and Officer Raker were on foot and observed several individuals operating their vehicles in a closed area and one driver using his vehicle to cause damage to the WMA. They returned to their vehicle and notified Officer Hofheinz and followed them to another location where the same activity continued. They made contact with the individuals and addressed damage to managed lands, operating in a closed area and alcohol and drug-related violations.

Officers Hofheinz and Raker were working the Apalachicola National Forest. Officer Hofheinz observed several individuals operating their vehicles in a closed area and damaging lands. Officer Hofheinz notified Officer Raker and they made contact with the individuals. It was determined that each of these individuals were under age and in possession of alcohol. Appropriate action was taken regarding the violations.

Officers Miller, Raker and Hofheinz were working the Apalachicola National Forest. Officer Miller and Hofheinz observed a vehicle being operated carelessly, causing damage to the WMA. They notified Officer Raker and then made contact with the individuals. They also located additional alcohol related violations. Appropriate action was taken regarding the violations.

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Nelson, Raker and Robb were working late-night complaints on the Ochlocknee River and noticed small flashlights coming from the camping area of Wood Lake in the Apalachicola National Forest. They also noticed loud chopping sounds. The officers went to the area and observed two individuals attempting to set up camp around midnight. They heard the individuals mention using narcotics and then observed them start to use the drugs. The officers approached the individuals and located narcotics and paraphernalia. After speaking with the individuals, they had not paid the WMA fee. The issue of littering was also addressed with the individuals. Appropriate action was taken to address the violations.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

BAY COUNTY

Officer Leonard represented the FWC at the 9^th Annual “National Night Out” which was held in the parking lot at the Panama City Mall. There were many law enforcement and first responder agencies in attendance. At the conclusion of the event, it was estimated that 2,500 people attended.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Lieutenant Marlow and Officers Nelson and Raker assisted the Youth Network 2016 Saltwater Fish Camp. They provided a tour of the Offshore Patrol Vessel Guardian to 11 kids and talked to them about the vessel and its work-related missions. They, along with four additional FWC staff, provided an underway tour of the vessel to St. George Island.

WALTON COUNTY

Officer White attended an Outdoorsmen Sportsmen Banquet at Friendship Baptist Church. He provided literature on boating safety, fishing, hunting, and local WMA’s. He answered numerous questions about youth hunts and rules regulating fish and wildlife.

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