FWC Law Enforcement Report

August 23, 2014

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 21.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Cushing received a complaint through dispatch that an individual was spearing egg-bearing blue crabs on the jetty at Ft. Pickens. The complainant advised that he informed the subject that it was unlawful to spear blue crabs, but despite the warning, the subject continued.  Because of the accurate description of the individual and vessel, Officer Cushing was able to locate the subject. Upon initial contact, the subject was reluctant to come forth and admit that he had harvested anything. The inspection revealed eight speared blue crabs, six of which were egg-bearing. The subject was issued a citation for illegal harvest of egg-bearing blue crabs.

Officers Hutchinson and Ramos were working the Escambia River when they observed a vessel return to a boat ramp after participating in the statewide alligator harvest.  When they checked the vessel, they observed an 8‑foot alligator in the airboat.  The alligator was not tagged as required.  After further investigation, the officers determined that one of the hunters was not properly licensed and that he shot the alligator with a pistol, a prohibited method.  The officers seized the alligator, firearm, and other necessary evidence and issued the appropriate citations.

After receiving a complaint, Investigator Wilkenson conducted a site inspection of a yard trash facility.  Investigator Wilkenson observed a large commercial quantity of yard trash debris on the property along with a log splitter and a portable tree grinder.  It was determined the yard trash debris was an offsite generated material being stored and processed at an unpermitted facility.  This past March, the owner of the tree removal business was educated on the permit requirements for storing offsite generated material through an operation plan initiative in educating through outreach efforts.  The owner was issued a citation for storing/processing yard trash debris at an unpermitted facility, a first degree misdemeanor.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Lieutenant Berryman was on vessel patrol in Bayou Texar when he heard a call for assistance over the VHF radio.  The complainant advised that his sailboat was almost struck by another sailboat and that the people on board appeared to be in a fight.  Once on scene, Lieutenant Berryman observed three white males on a 32‑foot sailboat with the sail flapping in the wind and blood from bow to stern.  Two of the three subjects were bleeding; one from his right hand and the other from his face.  One of these two subjects, the operator of the vessel, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  The U.S. Coast Guard arrived to assist and all three subjects were brought back to shore where interviews were conducted.  It was learned the owner of the boat struck the operator of the boat in the face because he was drunk and passed out at the helm.  Lieutenant Berryman requested the operator to perform some standardized field sobriety tasks and he agreed to do so.  After failing several tasks, the operator of the vessel was placed under arrest for BUI and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail for booking.  In addition, the owner of the boat was arrested for battery and also transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail.

While on water patrol on Santa Rosa Sound near Navarre, Officer Jones and Lieutenant Clark found an abandoned derelict 24-foot Capri sailboat near the shoreline and adjacent to a private home.  Officer Jones and Investigator Schafer contacted and interviewed the registered owner.  The officers explained to him that it was his responsibility to remove the derelict and that he could avoid misdemeanor charges by doing so.  The owner was sent a registered letter advising him of the same information and allowing five days to remove the derelict.  After more than the allotted time had passed, Officer Jones confirmed that the derelict had not been removed.  He contacted the owner and issued a notice to appear (citation) on a misdemeanor charge of allowing a vessel to become derelict on the waters of the State of Florida.

Officer Pineda was on water patrol when he observed a vessel violating the no wake zone around the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp.  He stopped the vessel and observed signs of impairment with the operator.  In addition, the passenger was also showing signs of impairment.  Officer Pineda asked the operator of the vessel to undergo some field sobriety tasks and he agreed to do so.  After conducting several field sobriety tasks, it was determined that the operator vessel was in fact under the influence of alcohol or drugs and was placed under arrest for BUI. He was transported and booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.

Officer Lewis and Lieutenant Hahr were patrolling around Bear Lake in the Blackwater River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when they observed a vessel returning to a primitive site.  After the subjects loaded their boat, the officers inspected the vessel.  There were four black bass in the boat and one was clearly under the 12‑inch minimum.  While inspecting the vessel further, they located what appeared to be a meth pipe and a cannabis pipe.  A small amount of cannabis was also located in the suspect’s truck.  The man was issued notices to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of undersized black bass.

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. Information provided by FWC.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News