FWC Law Enforcement Report

This report represents some events the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

NORTHWEST REGION

FRANKLIN

On May 25, twenty-four officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were joined by fellow officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and Franklin and Wakulla County Sheriff's Offices for the Memorial Day weekend annual "White Trash Bash" on Dog Island. Thirteen vessels and one helicopter were utilized as officers checked 248 vessels and made 1088 contacts at the event. Only one boating under the influence (BUI) arrest was made due to individuals designating drivers for their respective vessels. Thirteen citations were issued for violations relating to possession of drugs and paraphernalia, underage drinking, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and boating safety issues. A total of 75 written warnings were also issued during the annual event.

BAY COUNTY

Officer Mike Guy was on K-9 patrol with Intern Matt Gore conducting resource inspections around Hathaway Bridge when he noticed cannabis residue in a parked vehicle. The operator was located below the bridge fishing and a consent search of his vehicle revealed five partially smoked marijuana cigarettes. Several days later, Lt. Jay Chesser observed a vehicle with no visible tag leaving the area and found the driver to be on prison release, driving with a suspended driver's license, no tag, no insurance and a pipe with cannabis residue was located. In both instances, citations were issued.

Lt. Jay Chesser and Officer Mike Nobles conducted surveillance in the Econfina WMA and observed a father and his underaged daughter drinking beer and discarding their cans into the creek. When approached, they were asked if they knew about the alcohol rule on the management area, and they both said yes. Citations were issued. The next day, Lt. Chesser worked the area again and watched as several canoeists stopped on a sandbar and began to pass a marijuana cigarette. Nine grams of cannabis and a grinder were seized and citations were issued.

On Memorial Day, Capt. Ken Parramore and Lt. Jay Chesser found a local swimming hole within the Econfina Wildlife Management Area to have an active party ongoing. The party was broken up with numerous "unclaimed" containers of alcohol poured out. Two citations were issued for the alcohol violations and party goers cleaned the area of litter before departing.

Officers David Erdman, Nick Price and Neal Goss IV conducted two boating under the influence arrests over the Memorial Day weekend. The officers advised that the word is out around Bay County that FWC law enforcement is focusing on these violations and most boaters had designated operators.

Officer Erdman issued a citation to an individual for taking stone crab during closed season. The subject was located near the Hathaway Bridge in possession of 52 whole stone crabs of which 17 of the 52 were egg-bearing. They were all released alive.

Officer Nick Price issued a citation to a subject who was spearfishing in St. Andrew's State Park. The pole spear was seized as evidence.

Officers Neal Goss and Nick Price assisted with the search and recovery of two drowning victims off Panama City Beach. Officers responded to over 30 calls for service along Panama City Beach due to rough seas.

Officers Jim Moore and Jeff Gager worked a boating accident involving serious injury. A female passenger was ejected off the back of a personal watercraft striking the stern of the vessel with her lower back. She was pulled from the water unconscious and transported by EMS to a local hospital.

Officer Neal Goss issued a federal summary settlement for harvest of red snapper during closed season in federal waters off Panama City.