FWC Law Enforcement Report

March 7, 2015

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending March 5 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Johnson responded to a night hunting complaint north of Milton.  The caller advised that he heard two shots from a field near his home.  He observed a truck leave the area and return a short time later.  Officer Johnson arrived as the suspects were leaving the area.  When he stopped the truck, he was greeted by five juveniles in possession of four loaded rifles.  Two of the juveniles admitted to shooting at deer in the field, but apparently, they did not hit any of them.  Officer Miller arrived on scene to assist.  The officers obtained written statements from each of the juveniles detailing their involvement in the incident.  After discussing the incident with the State Attorney’s Office, two warrant affidavits were filed charging each of the two shooters with attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light.

Officer Hoomes concluded a trespass investigation which led to the arrest of a suspect.  The suspect was charged with one count of armed trespass and one count of trespass on property.  A landowner contacted him regarding a subject captured on a game camera as he trespassed on his private property.  The man had apparently cut part of a link out of a chain on a gate and drove a golf cart onto the property.  He placed a tree stand on the property and had been doing so for some time based on the number of trees that had been climbed on the property.  Officer Hoomes was able to identify the suspect and determined that he lived a short distance from the property.  He went to interview the suspect and observed the golf cart used during the incident in his yard.  The man denied trespassing, but his distinct features captured in the photo clearly told otherwise.  The subject was arrested after Officer Hoomes obtained a warrant.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Investigator Wilkenson received a referral from the Sheriff’s Office regarding a wetland complaint.  The complainant stated that a property owner was dredging and filling in wetlands.  Upon receipt of this environmental complaint, Investigator Wilkenson coordinated the investigation with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  A DEP specialist completed a wetland impact assessment on the property.  Investigator Wilkenson followed up by conducting a site inspection on the property and observed fill dirt placed on wetlands.  Further, Investigator Wilkenson interviewed the contractor hired by the property owner.  The contractor stated he was hired to place fill dirt on the property to create a driveway access.  It was determined the activity required an authorization from DEP.  The property owner was issued a citation for dredging and filling wetlands without a valid permit from DEP, which is a first degree misdemeanor.  This same property owner was cited in October 2013 and adjudicated guilty for the same violation on the same property by Investigator Wilkenson.

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.

Comments

2 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. Alex A on March 7th, 2015 9:57 pm

    Why werent all charged with loaded weapons and trespassing?

  2. Steve on March 7th, 2015 6:40 am

    i wish they would sit on the road sides at night and ticket the guys that dump what they kills in and around our homes . no one cleans it up and we who live in these areas have to see rotting dear for weeks. can someone respond back to these problems?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News