FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report August 12 through August 18, 2016

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FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

 Weekly Report

August 12 through August 18, 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

CALHOUN COUNTY

Officer Baber responded to a complaint on the Chipola River from a group of tubers who claimed that a vessel drove by at a high rate of speed and nearly struck one of the tubers. Officer Baber conducted interviews of everyone involved, presented his findings to the local State Attorney who charged the vessel operator with reckless operation.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Clark observed a motorhome stopped in the middle of the road on south Fairfield Avenue. As the vehicle began moving, the operator was driving erratically. Officer Clark stopped the vehicle, made contact with the driver and smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. The officer also observed an open beer container on the floor. The operator agreed to submit to field alcohol tasks and performed poorly on all tasks. He was arrested for DUI and transported to the Escambia County Intoxilyzer Room where he declined to provide a breath sample. He was then transported to the Escambia County Jail for booking and processing. The driver was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), refusal to submit to a breath test, and knowingly driving without a valid license.

HOLMES COUNTY

Officer Yates contacted Captive Wildlife Investigator Williams to report that he was responding to Doctors Memorial Hospital regarding a subject bitten by a water moccasin that the subject illegally possessed at his residence. The individual was bitten on his left hand and brought the live venomous snake with him to the hospital for identification purposes. Officer Yates issued the subject a citation for possession of a venomous snake without a permit and multiple warnings for other captive wildlife violations. Investigator Williams followed up with the subject at his residence to complete a bite report and ensure the subject was not housing any other regulated reptile species.

JACKSON COUNTY

Officer Forehand located four suspects picking palmetto berries on Econfina Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The suspects had picked approximately 1,000 pounds of berries. Officer Forehand interviewed the person that hired the suspects to pick the berries and he admitted the other suspects did not know they were on lands where picking the berries are prohibited. This suspect was charged with removing palmetto berries from state lands and operating an ATV on state lands.

Officer Forehand saw a suspect throwing a cast net near Chattahoochee Landing. He watched the suspect keep game fish from the cast net and place them on a stringer. The suspect was charged with taking freshwater game fish by illegal method.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Lieutenant Hollinhead and Officer Arnette patrolled an area on Eglin Air Force Base WMA after observing signs of a vehicle driving in prohibited areas. Seven subjects checked in the area failed to produce a daily recreational permit and were issued warnings. A warrants check of one of the subjects revealed an active warrant for failure to pay child support. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail.

Officers P. Rockwell and Jarvis were on land patrol conducting state fisheries and license inspections in the Destin area. As they were traveling over the Marler Bridge, Officer Jarvis saw an individual, underneath the bridge along the shoreline, in possession of what appeared to be a large fish. The officers drove their patrol vehicle underneath the bridge and located the individual. A fisheries inspection revealed a grossly oversized red drum had been harvested and the individual had begun to fillet the fish. The individual was cited and issued a notice to appear.

Officer Corbin was on land patrol conducting state fisheries and license inspections in the Destin area. He observed an individual actively fishing with a rod and reel at a local marina near Crab Island. A fisheries inspection revealed the individual was over the bag limit of gray (mangrove) snapper and was cited and issued a notice to appear.

WALTON COUNTY

Officer Pifer and Lieutenant Clark were on land patrol conducting quality control inspections and retail/wholesale license inspections at seafood houses/markets. A local business in the Grayton Beach area was advertising bait for sale. Officer Pifer observed shrimp, cigar minnows, squid, finger mullet, and sand fleas for sale. The employees were unable to provide the required saltwater retail license.

RESCUES

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officers P. Rockwell, Jarvis and Trueblood were dispatched to a boating accident involving a 17‑foot Cape Horn and a kayak near Tom’s Bayou off Boggy Bayou. The operator of the kayak was transported to a local hospital for minor contusions and soreness in the hips. Officer Jarvis interviewed the operator at a local hospital, and the preliminary investigation revealed that the Cape Horn ran over the kayak causing the operator to roll out of the kayak as it was struck. The investigation is ongoing.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Lieutenant Walsingham participated in an outreach event at the Back-To-School Bash at Live Oak Church in New Hope.  Approximately 300 people attended and topics covered included conservation, recruitment, and explanation of FWC rules and regulations.  Numerous public safety organizations were there and events included haircuts, school supplies, informational materials, a dunking booth, a water slide, and a rock wall climb.

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