Friday, April 13, 2012

FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY REPORT April 6 - 12, 2012


FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
WEEKLY REPORT
April 6 - 12, 2012
 
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 Nick Barnard responded to a boating accident involving two personal watercrafts (PWCs) at Quiet Water Beach in Pensacola. A father and daughter on one PWC were struck by another family member on the second PWC, who was approaching them from the rear. The approaching PWC could not stop in time and struck their vessel, ejecting the young girl and striking the father in the back. The female sustained two deep lacerations to her face. Both victims were bruised. The at-fault operator was cited for violation of a navigational rule.
 
Lt. Doug Berryman and Officers Joe Murphy and Howard Jones responded to a report of an unmanned vessel turning in tight circles in Escambia Bay. The officers arrived on scene and determined that no one was aboard. A search for the operator and any occupants began immediately. The following day, FWC Pilot David Calianno and Lt. Jack Martin located the deceased operator in the bay. FWC officers assisted the Medical Examiner’s Office with the body recovery. Preliminary investigation suggests that the operator fell out of the boat while underway. The accident is still under investigation.
 
FRANKLIN COUNTY
 
During patrol on the vessel, Gulf Sentry, Officer Matt Gore boarded a vessel in the Carrabelle River. The operator displayed signs of impairment. After completing field sobriety tasks, Officer Gore arrested the individual for boating under the influence. While patrolling federal waters for the opening of grouper season, Officer Gore issued federal notices of violation on two separate vessel boardings for the possession of gag grouper in federal waters. While patrolling the Carrabelle River, Officer Will Raker conducted an offload inspection on a commercial fishing vessel. As a result, Officer Raker issued a federal notice of violation for failure to notify and possession of red grouper filets.
 
Pilot David Calianno conducted a patrol orientation flight in the Apalachicola area with Captain Dean Kelly, who will assume the role as the agency’s Mutual Aid Coordinator following the retirement of Captain Brad Williams.
 
GADSDEN COUNTY
 
Lt. Harry Parker observed three men at Lake Talquin in possession of an alligator snapping turtle. One of the men told Lieutenant Parker he was going to take it home to show his family before releasing it. A citation for possession of an alligator snapping turtle was issued to one man and written warnings were issued to the other two men. Pictures were taken of the turtle before it was released back into the lake.
 
LEON COUNTY
 
On Lake Iamonia, Officer Matt Bell observed three individuals baiting trotlines with alligator meat. As the officer approached, the men attempted to throw the meat overboard. The parts were retrieved and identified and Officer Bell interviewed the subjects who admitted the alligator parts came from the Okeechobee area. The three individuals were cited for possession of alligator parts.
 
OKALOOSA COUNTY
 
Officers Pete Rockwell and James Rockwell responded to a boating accident involving two rental personal watercrafts (PWCs) with four occupants, who were family members. The accident occurred in the Gulf of Mexico near the Destin Pass east jetties. The PWCs were traveling parallel to each other. Both operators observed a parasail vessel returning to the Destin Pass and turned their PWCs to avoid the parasail boat. The turns occurred in opposite directions causing the PWCs to collide with each other. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Both operators were issued written warnings for violation of navigation rules #5 (improper lookout) and #8 (failure to take action to avoid collision).
 
Lt. Keith Clark and Officer Ryan Nelson responded to a boating accident involving a rental pontoon boat and a 19‑foot Sea Pro vessel. Both vessels were traveling northwest along the Destin Bridge. The Sea Pro was south of the pontoon vessel. The pontoon vessel was trailing, but closing ground to the Sea Pro. When the Sea Pro turned to go under the Destin Bridge, the pontoon boat struck the Sea Pro from mid-ship to the stern. The investigation determined that both vessels were in violation of navigational rule #5 (improper lookout) and written warnings were issued. Further, the pontoon operator was cited for violation of navigational rule #13 (overtaking).
 
Officer Andy Maltais and Lt. Gary Tolbert were on vessel patrol and responded to a boating accident that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. The boats involved were a 20‑foot Cape Horn and a commercial parasail boat. The Cape Horn was traveling east near the Destin Pass and the parasail boat was traveling north. The parasail boat struck the Cape Horn on the starboard side. There were no injuries. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending. 
 
RESOURCE PROTECTION SQUAD
 
Plain-clothes officer Alan Kirchinger was working at the Destin jetties in Okaloosa County when he observed four subjects spearfishing around the jetties. As three of them left the area, the officer identified himself and contacted Officer Pete Rockwell to make contact with the fourth subject. The two juveniles and one young adult were issued notices to appear for spearfishing within 100 yards of a jetty. Officer Rockwell returned with the fourth subject who was also issued a notice to appear for the violation.
 
Officer Arnold McMillion was conducting surveillance on a commercial fishing vessel at the Pier 98 Marina in Bay County, when he observed a vehicle pull into the parking lot across from the fishing vessel. An individual exited the vessel carrying a white garbage bag with several large fish inside and walked to the passenger side of the vehicle. After the individual placed the bag of fish inside the vehicle, the sedan drove away. Officer McMillion followed and attempted to stop the vehicle. After following the vehicle for a couple of miles, with his blue lights activated, the vehicle finally stopped abruptly. As Officer McMillion was running the tag number, the vehicle sped away. The pursuit was soon called off and a description of the vehicle was relayed to a dispatcher. Subsequently, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office contacted Officer McMillion when a subject in the vehicle was seen throwing a large, suspicious backpack in a residence’s yard. Officer McMillion met with the deputies and a search of the backpack revealed two large bags of cannabis and 13 smaller bags of cannabis wrapped for distribution, weighing a total of 126.7 grams. The suspect’s wallet, driver’s license, and social security card were also found inside the backpack. Officer McMillion identified the individual on the license as the driver of the vehicle that fled. The evidence was photographed and seized. There are arrest warrants out for the suspect for fleeing and eluding, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance - over 20 grams of cannabis.
 
WAKULLA COUNTY
 
Pilots Frank Utermohlen and David Calianno responded to the search for a lost hunter. The 67-year-old man became disoriented and lost near Arron Road and Fire Road 13. After a brief search, the pilots located the hunter and landed to check on his well-being. They led ground units to his location and he was directed safely out of the woods.
 


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