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.
NORTHWEST REGION
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Kenneth Manning checked a vessel in Pensacola Bay. He found the operator in possession of a shark head and dorsal fin. Officer Manning issued the operator a notice to appear citation for failing to land the shark in whole condition.
Lt. Dan Hahr was working enhanced patrol in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when he observed five vehicles parked at one of the river access gates well after legal access hours. Lieutenant Hahr located a group of nine adults and one 7‑month‑old child camping in a non-designated area. The subjects were camping within sight of a NO CAMPING sign and were drinking several types of alcoholic beverages, which are prohibited in this area. Before Lieutenant Hahr contacted the subjects, he overheard them talking about smoking marijuana and hiding their “weed” if any “wildlife officers” came up. Lieutenant Hahr approached the subjects and found two of subjects in possession of cannabis and another in possession of a bottle of prescription pills. After accompanying the subjects to the parking area and obtaining assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Lieutenant Hahr returned to the camp and located approximately 51 grams of cannabis, a set of scales, and extra baggies hidden under a pillow. Two of the subjects admitted to purchasing the cannabis for the camping trip. Several of the subjects were under the age of 21 and in possession of alcoholic beverages. Lieutenant Hahr issued several notices to appear for charges of possession of alcoholic beverages by a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis. Two subjects were arrested and booked for possession of over 20 grams of cannabis. Several infraction citations were issued for possession of alcoholic beverages in a management area. Several warnings for access after legal hours and camping in a non-designated area were also issued.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Alan Kirchinger stopped a vessel in Destin Pass to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the operator displayed signs of impairment. The operator complied with one field sobriety exercise on the water but refused additional exercises after being transported to the U. S. Coast Guard Destin Station. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail where he agreed to a breath test. The breath sample revealed his breath alcohol content was .179 and .183. The subject was booked into jail and charged with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol.
Officer Pete Rockwell responded to a vessel fire involving a 44‑foot Viking Sportfisher with two persons aboard in the Choctawhatchee Bay three miles north of the U.S. 98 Bridge. U.S. Coast Guard Destin and Okaloosa County Fire/Rescue personnel also responded to the incident. The two weary occupants were successfully rescued from the burning vessel. The vessel eventually sank, and Officer Rockwell, U.S. Coast Guard Destin and U.S. Coast Guard Panama City Marine Safety Office personnel marked the area as a navigational hazard the following morning. Officer Rockwell is completing the investigation and boating accident report.
Officer Pete Rockwell responded to a call regarding a subject jumping off the Rocky Bayou Bridge. Officer Rockwell’s quick response and search by water assisted the local agency response efforts. The search was eventually called off after rescue personnel determined there was no victim or evidence of someone jumping.
RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT (RPU) WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Gadsden COUNTY
Officer Chris Jones and Lt. Kent Harvey were on water patrol on the Apalachicola River near Aspalaga boat ramp. They observed two individuals near the bank catching panfish. After observing the fishermen, the officers approached and identified themselves as Fish and Wildlife officers. During the inspection, the officers found the fishermen in possession of over the daily bag limit of panfish (bream). Citations were issued and some of the fish were released alive and some were seized as evidence.
Wakulla COUNTY
Officer Chris Jones and Lt. Kent Harvey were working the area of Slough Bridges when they came across two individuals fishing. The officers conducted an inspection and found the individuals in compliance except that one of the individuals was in possession of a very large alligator snapping turtle. The turtle was in a large ice chest in the back of a truck belonging to one of the individuals. When asked to explain what he was going to do with the turtle, the individual said he was going to take it home and gave no other explanation. A check in ArrestNet revealed the individual has been arrested for several resource violations during the past couple of years. The most recent arrest was in 2009 for a bag limit violation. The individual was cited for possession of a reptile of concern and the turtle was released back to the wild.
Franklin COUNTY
Officers Blake Hoelscher and Ryan Knutson were on water patrol in the area of Alligator Harbor when they observed a vessel returning from offshore. The officers conducted a vessel stop for a fisheries inspection. The captain and crew were in possession of undersize gag grouper. The captain claimed responsibility for the violation and was cited.
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