FWC Law Enforcement Report: Fishing Violations, Alligator In A Garbage Bag
August 5, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Allgood and Hahr worked offshore fishing activity and documented three vessels in violation of reef fish rules. One subject was cited for possession of an undersized red snapper and two other captains were cited for possession of undersized greater amberjack and greater amberjack out of season.
Officers Lugg and Burkhead were on vessel patrol near Bayou Grande when they noticed a vessel with fishing gear returning to a nearby boat landing. The officers conducted a resource inspection on the vessel and located an undersized amberjack in a cooler on board the vessel. The operator admitted to keeping the undersize greater amberjack. Officer Burkhead cited the operator for possession of undersize greater amberjack.
Officers Lugg and Burkhead were on vessel patrol in Pensacola Bay when a pontoon boat passed them under Bob Sikes Bridge at a high rate of speed with several people on board. As the subject passed the officers, he took both hands off the steering wheel while the vessel was still underway. The officers stopped the vessel for careless operation and located an empty beer can under the operator’s feet. When asked, the operator, who was under the age of 21, admitted to drinking alcohol. Officer Burkhead conducted field sobriety tasks on the operator, who performed poorly on the tasks and showed several signs of impairment. The officers placed the subject under arrest for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. The subject agreed to provide a breath sample in which the results were over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The subject was transported and booked into the Escambia County jail.
Officers Ramos and Lugg were on vessel patrol near Pensacola Beach during the annual Operation Dry Water event and discovered a vessel with an operator who showed various signs of impairment. Officer Ramos conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the operator was impaired. The vessel operator was arrested for boating under the influence and asked to provide a sample of his breath as required by law. The operator refused to submit a breath sample. He was issued a civil penalty for the refusal and booked into the county jail for BUI.
While on vessel patrol in Bayou Texar, Officers Lugg and Ramos conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a catamaran with fishing equipment that was pulling into a private wet slip. During the inspection, Officer Lugg located multiple species of regulated and unregulated species on the deck of the vessel that were filleted and not in whole condition. Multiple fillets of vermillion snapper appeared to have been under the legal limit of 10” based on the fillet length. The individual was cited for possession of fish not in whole condition.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Bower was on patrol and observed a vessel in wrecked and junked condition. The vessel is hard aground and unable to be moved under its own power. It will need mechanical assistance to be removed from the shoreline. The owner was located was issued the derelict vessel notification of rights packet and notice to appear citations for storing a derelict vessel upon waters of the state and issued paperwork for an expired registration over 6 months.
Officers Burkhead and Lugg were on vessel patrol when they noticed several untagged bush hook lines in the water that appeared to have been recently placed there. The officers pulled into a nearby boat launch and located a man about to launch his vessel. The officers asked if he had been running lines and he responded he had put some out the night before. The officers located line in the boat that matched the bush hook lines in the water. The subject admitted to placing the untagged bush hooks on the river. Officer Lugg wrote the subject a notice to appear misdemeanor for using untagged bush hooks.
Officers Lugg, Burkhead, and Wilkinson received information from a deputy in Alabama regarding a traffic stop he conducted recently. The stop revealed a fresh, untagged alligator hide in a garbage bag located inside the subject’s vehicle. The subject told the deputy he was on his way to Florida and that the alligator was killed in Florida. The officers gathered information from the deputy and further interviewed the subject about the alligator. The subject admitted to having possession of the untagged alligator hide. Officer Lugg seized the hide and cited the subject with several violations related to the untagged hide.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Hostetler Homers, Bermúdez Pitches Blue Wahoos To 8-1 Win
August 5, 2023
The morning temperature Friday was already well-past uncomfortable when Bennett Hostetler was on the field at Blue Wahoos Stadium, helping create memories for youth baseball players.
Hostetler and six other Pensacola teammates were volunteer instructors at the annual Chevy Youth Clinic weekend.
Many hours later, he produced a good memory of his own.
Hostetler hit a two-run homer, reached base three times, scored a pair of runs and made several strong notable putouts at first base as the Blue Wahoos cooled off the Biloxi Shuckers with an 8-1 victory before a sellout crowd.
The win evened the series at two games apiece and was the first time Biloxi was held under five runs since July 15. The Shuckers’ 8.1 runs per-game in the stretch is the best in Minor League Baseball. The Blue Wahoos (59-40) also evened the well-contested season matchup with Biloxi at 11-11.
Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez had his second-best outing in a season of majority quality starts. He shined with his array of breaking pitches, twirling six scoreless innings with three hits, two walks and five strikeouts on 89 pitches.
He got run support early.
In third inning Friday, Hostetler, 25, a Bozeman, Montana native, was part of a 3-run rally when he followed Cody Morissette’s single with his own base hit. Morissette had a big game as well, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Morissette scored on Dalvy Rosario’s sacrifice fly. Hostetler scored on José Devers’ two-run double.
In the Shuckers’ sixth inning, Bermudez gave up a leadoff double, then hit the next batter. Biloxi’s Tyler Black then followed with a line drive that Hostetler snared, then stepped on first base for a pivotal double play. Bermúdez ended the inning with a flyout.
The Blue Wahoos followed in the bottom half of the inning with a 4-run burst. Morissette’s RBI double was followed by Hostetler’s 2-run homer. Rosario made it back-to-back bombs with his solo shot that produced a 7-0 lead.
Griffin Conine hit the Blue Wahoos’ third homer of the night in the seventh inning. Relievers Chandler Jozwiak and Eli Villalobos finished off the win.
Blue Wahoos righthander M.D. Johnson (1-4, 5.57) will be on the mound against Shuckers righthander Tobias Myers (6-3, 5.67).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Karl King Named Head Coach Of Tate Aggie Baseball
August 4, 2023
Tate High School announced Friday afternoon that Karl King as been named head baseball coach for the Aggies. He has served as an assistant coach since the 2017 season.
“Since his arrival, he has completely bought into the traditions of our school and community and has always been an avid supporter of all of our athletic programs and activities,” Principal Laura Touchstone said. “With his intentions to add enhancements to our facility, expected staff additions, and the infusion of his tremendous character and unquestionable desire to uphold the standards of Tate High School and our community, we feel Coach King will help us raise the bar and once again make strides toward playing for another state championship.”
King was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is a 1989 graduate of Mount Saint Mary High School where he won a state championship his junior year along with being named to the Oklahoma All-State team his senior year as a pitcher. Following graduation, he was selected in the Major League Baseball draft as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins. After a short career in the Twins organization, he completed his post secondary degree in secondary math education at the University of Central Oklahoma and began his coaching and teaching career in 1995.
King started his teaching career at Summit Middle School in Edmond, Oklahoma, while coaching baseball as an assistant at Edmond Santa Fe High School. After two years, he made the move to Edmond Santa Fe as a math teacher and continued his duties as an assistant baseball coach where he would experience four trips to the state tournament including a state runner-up finish in 2002. After six years at Santa Fe, King had his first opportunity as a head coach at Putnam City North High School and would spend the next six years there leading their baseball program and teaching math. He guided the Panthers to a state semi-finalist finish in 2009 losing to the eventual state champion Owasso Rams. In 2010, King made the move to Edmond North High School as the head baseball coach and math teacher. He would spend seven years there making three consecutive trips to the state tournament from 2012-2014 including a state championship in 2012 where he was recognized as the Oklahoma Coach of the Year as well as the ABCA National Region 8 Coach of the Year and was nominated as National Coach of the Year.
During his seven years at Edmond North, the Huskies participated in the Aggie Classic during Spring break from 2013-2016 playing for the championship in 2013 where they finished runner up. Upon completion of the 2016 season, King and his family decided to make the move to the beach where he and his wife accepted teaching positions at Tate High School and Lipscomb Elementary respectively. He has spent the past seven years at Tate High School as a math teacher and assistant baseball coach.
King said he is excited about the opportunity to lead the Aggie baseball program into the future as he starts his 29th year in education. He said he recognizes what the school and program means to the community along with the program’s history and rich tradition. King is looking forward to moving the program in a positive direction both on and off the field that will impact not only the school but the community as well.
King is moving into the head coaching job vacated with the recent resignation of Karl Jernigan who stepped down to spend more time with his family.
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Atmore Murder Suspect Arrested
August 4, 2023
An Atmore murder suspect has been arrested.
Antonio LeMarcus Pettaway II of Mobile was wanted for the shooting death of Jatyrain Aquamini Tolbert on July 25.
Atmore Police responded to a traffic collision on Brooks Lane to find that a driver had been shot. Tolbert was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he died a short time later.
Pettaway, 19, was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Molino Man Facing Drug, Weapons Charges
August 4, 2023
A Molino man is facing drug and weapons charges after deputies responded to a suspicious person complaint at a hotel.
Alexander George Deloach was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An Escambia County deputy was on patrol at the Garden Inn Suites on Pine Forest Road at I-10, an area described as “a high crime area for guns and narcotics” in a sheriff’s office report.
The deputy reported Deloach’s Kia Forte was backed into a parking space, and when the deputy approached Deloach’s hands were shaking very fast and he was speaking in a high pitch voice. The deputy noted the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle.
During a probable cause vehicle search, deputies reported finding a loaded .40 caliber handgun, 34.3 grams of marijuana, $270 in small denominations, digital scale, sandwich bags and a digital copier.
Baggies of crack cocaine were located in the back of the deputy’s patrol vehicle after Deloach was removed, according to an arrest report. The patrol vehicle had previously been searched prior to Deloach being placed inside, and the report indicates he was the only detainee placed there on that date.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $26,000.
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Century Man Wanted For Grand Theft Of Utility Trailer From Jay
August 4, 2023
Authorities are looking for a suspect in connection with a utility trailer theft in Jay.
Coley Ray Daw, 37, is wanted by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office for the alleged grand theft of a black utility trailer from Highway 89. Daw has a recent address in Century, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report on an unrelated incident.
He is 6-feet, 1-inch tall, 250 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. The SRSO said he may be driving a white pickup truck, possibly a Ford.
Anyone with information can call Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers anonymously at (850) 37-STOP (7867) or their local law enforcement agency.
Navy Federal 5K Raises $24K For Escambia Public Schools Foundation
August 4, 2023
Navy Federal Credit Union has presented $24,000 to the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
The proceeds are from the annual Navy Federal 5K held in downtown Pensacola on April 1 with over 1,800 participants.
“The Foundation is thrilled about the generous donation from the proceeds of the Navy Federal 5K. The funds are used for Foundation Programs such as Grants for Excellence, employee events, and Golden Apple Awards,” said Foundation Executive Director Jo McArthur. “Navy Federal is an engaged and integral partner of Escambia County Public Schools and the Foundation. They provide volunteers, mentors, programs for Workforce Development, participate on the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, donations of resources, and so much more.”
The Foundation will be the beneficiary of next year’s Navy Federal 5K.
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Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2021 Drug Deal Gone Wrong Double Murder
August 4, 2023
A 20-year old Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering two people in a 2021 drug deal gone wrong.
Nathan Douglas Brown was convicted Thursday on two counts of first degree murder for the shooting deaths of 26-year old Natalie Greenough and 25-year old David Purchase on November 9, 2021.
Prosecutors said Brown and his co-defendant, then 15-year-old Hunter Carroll, attempted to rob Greenough and Purchase during a drug deal on Waycross Avenue near Stonewall Avenue, south of Gulf Beach Highway, in Warrington.
Carroll is awaiting trial; he is due back in court on October 4.
Mesa’s Multi-Homer Game Not Enough Wahoos 7-4 Loss
August 4, 2023
One out into the third inning, the Blue Wahoos’ lefthander Luis Palacios was repeating his past two stellar outings.
The next five Biloxi Shuckers batters, however, changed the script and the game.
The top of their order ignited for five runs off Palacios in that sequence, including back-to-back homers, that led to Biloxi’s 7-4 win Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It continued Biloxi’s power brigade that has now produced 146 runs since mid-July’s season resumption – the most scored by any team in Minor League Baseball. The Milwaukee Brewers affiliate is 14-4 during this stretch.
Palacios, who had allowed just one unearned run on six hits in his past two starts, retired seven of the first eight batters he faced Thursday. But a one-out single against No. 9 hitter Felix Valerio was followed by a double, a run-scoring single, then a two-run homer by Isaac Collins and solo shot by Wes Clarke. For Clarke, this was his ninth homer since July 1 and fourth of the series.
The Blue Wahoos took a 2-0 lead in the second when Victor Mesa Jr. led off with the first of his two home runs Thursday. Bennett Hostetler then drove home Griffin Conine with a single.
Mesa repeated the leadoff feat in the sixth inning with his blast over the center field wall, which became the first multi-homer game of his career. He finished 3-for-4 with two RBI. Conine then reached on a hit batter and scored on Hostetler’s second RBI single, cutting Biloxi’s lead to 5-4.
But an errant throw by Hostetler after a seventh-inning strikeout against Shuckers star Jackson Chourio resulted in teammate Lamar Sparks scoring after he was headed for second on the play.
The Blue Wahoos had just one hit in the final three innings.
Pregame activities Thursday included the Jay High marching band, which performed the National Anthem and played outside the stadium before the game. The Jay High cheerleading squads were also part of pregame performances as part of the annual Jay High Spirit Night.
Jay baseball coach Duane Raley threw out a ceremonial first pitch and was among the athletic staff attending the game.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
‘Unimaginable Tragedy’ — Marine’s Family Members – Ages 33, 6 And 7 – Drown Near NAS Pensacola
August 3, 2023
The bodies of a U.S. Marine’s family have been recovered at NAS Pensacola in an “unimaginable tragedy”.
Wednesday night, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to NAS Pensacola to assist NAS Police. When deputies arrived, they assisted in recovering a 33-year-old female who had washed ashore near Barrancas Beach.
Deputies were advised that two juveniles, ages 6 and 7, were believed to have been in the water with the female. The ECSO, U.S. Navy, and Escambia County Search and Rescue utilized all available search efforts into the morning hours of August 3.
At around 7:00 a.m. Thursday, the two juveniles’ bodies were recovered near the shoreline.
The woman and two children were family members of a U.S. Marine who had an address onboard NAS Pensacola, according to the ECSO.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this time,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.