FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY REPORT December 7-13, 2012

FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

WEEKLY REPORT

December 7-13, 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

 

FRANKLIN COUNTY

 

FWC Officers worked tirelessly to prevent the illegal harvest of oysters from closed waters in the Apalachicola Bay. Officers John Allen and Matt Gore, along with assistance from FWC’s aviation wing, issued nine misdemeanor citations for the harvest of oysters from conditionally restricted waters, unshaded oysters, and untagged bags of oysters. The 11 bags of oysters seized during these efforts were returned to the restricted waters alive, thus keeping them from the consumer shellfish market and preventing the health-related issues that can arise from ingesting tainted shellfish.

 

Officer John Allen conducted a fisheries inspection on a few anglers on the St. George Island Fishing Pier. His inspection revealed an undersized sea bass and an oversized red drum. The officer issued a misdemeanor citation for the red drum and a warning for the sea bass.

 

Officers continue to monitor shellfish harvesting in Apalachicola and Apalachee Bay. During the past seven days, Officers Jason Carroll and Steven Cook observed two subjects harvesting oysters in conditionally closed waters. Officers set up surveillance, and after gathering enough evidence conducted a vessel stop on the oyster boat. The subjects were charged for oystering in conditionally closed waters, and the oysters were seized and returned back to the bay.

 

LEON COUNTY

 

Over the past seven days, officers have been working night fishing complaints on Lake Talquin. The complaints involved individuals keeping over the bag limit and undersized crappie and striped bass. Lt. Kent Harvey and Officers Chris Jones, Blake Hoelscher, Jason Carroll, and Steven Cook were able to set up surveillance at key fishing areas on the lake and observe individuals fishing. The hours they worked were sporadic and were when the fish seemed to be biting the best. The officers made nine arrests for possession of undersized crappie and striped bass, along with a size limit arrest for crappie and black bass. In addition, the officers arrested some subjects at the lake on outstanding warrants.

 

Lt. Kent Harvey responded to a boating accident on Lake Talquin. The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call about a man in a small boat that overturned just out from Ingram’s Fish Camp. The caller stated the subject was thrashing in the water screaming for help and appeared to be drowning. Lieutenant Harvey was in the area and responded. Upon arrival, a Good Samaritan had retrieved the individual and his boat from the water. The subject was showing signs of hypothermia due to the water temperature in the lake. EMS responded, but the subject refused to be transported. The boat appeared to have been swamped by waves over the stern due to rough water.

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

 

FWC Officers worked the annual Family Hunt within Blackwater WMA. On the evening of December 7, Officers Steve Hoomes and Danny Arnette, along with FWC Biologist Barbara Almario and FWC Wildlife Technicians Andrew Jernigan and Kevin McDonald, conducted the pre-hunt safety meeting attended by 43 children. The Munson Heritage Festival Committee assisted with logistics and support for this year’s hunt. Wal-Mart in Gulf Breeze provided door prizes for the participating youth hunters, as well as hot dogs and hamburgers cooked by FWC personnel during the safety meeting for all to enjoy. The Munson Fire Department hosted the check station site for the two-day hunt. This year’s two-day hunt resulted in 43 youth participating:  Saturday, 30 permits were issued with two deer harvested; and Sunday, 25 permits issued with eight deer harvested. Of the 10 deer harvested, five were does, one was a legal buck, and four were antlered males. A special thank you goes out to the Munson Heritage Festival Committee, the Munson Fire Department, and Wal-Mart of Gulf Breeze for their support of this important event.

 

Officer Ben Pineda received a complaint through dispatch regarding two subjects trespassing on a hunt club’s land in Chumuckla. When Officer Pineda arrived, he observed two subjects leaving the area that matched the description of the subjects in the complaint. Officer Pineda made contact with the subjects and learned that they were in fact the two individuals who had been trespassing. While investigating this incident, Officer Pineda learned that one of the suspects was a convicted felon. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

 

Officers Steve Hoomes and Brandon Lewis received a complaint through dispatch regarding shots fired near the community of Jay. The officers arrived on the scene and, after some investigating, found two freshly killed deer. After interviewing a suspect, they learned he shot the two deer from a hut using a light after dark. The subject was charged with taking deer at night with a gun and light.

 

Lt. Doug Berryman received a complaint through dispatch regarding a hunter’s dog being shot and subsequently dragged from a vehicle for over a mile. When Lieutenant Berryman arrived on scene, he observed blood and drag marks that exited a gate to a hunt club adjacent to Blackwater WMA. The marks were from where the dog was dragged. Lieutenant Berryman followed the trail to a hunt camp where he observed blood, hair, and more drag marks. Lieutenant Berryman then followed the trail from the gate down the road to where the dog was found, dead, by its owner, approximately one mile away. Photographs, blood samples, and other evidence were seized at the scene. Follow-up interviews were conducted and a confession was obtained from a hunt club member. Officers are meeting with the Santa Rosa State Attorney’s Office to review and file charges.

 

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