Field operations weekly report, 2008 May 4-10

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 4-10, 2008
This report is a broad sampling of events that have taken place in the past week, but does not include all actions taken by the Law Enforcement Section.

Region I- Calhoun (Northwest)
CHATTOOGA COUNTY On May 4, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Sgt. Jeff Galloway patrolled the county checking fishing locations along the Chattooga River. The officers issued several citations for fishing without license. At the Trion Golf course a boater saw the waiting officers and continued upstream where he threw a beer can into the river and then returned to the boat ramp. The operator was found to have been drinking but was under the legal limit. The Trion man was issued a citation for operating without PFDs, and littering. On Penn Bridge Rd, a Summerville man was arrested for outstanding warrants from Emerson PD.
On May 10, Cpl. Tommy Gentry, Cpl Shawn Elmore and RFC Ben Cunningham responded to the Chattooga River in Summerville after a call from Chattooga County E911 about a possible drowning. After searching the area with body drags for approximately 25 minutes, the teenage victim from Summerville was located.
MURRAY COUNTY On May 9th, Cpl. Casey Jones presented four boating safety programs to seventy Middle School students at Bagley Middle School.
WALKER COUNTY On May 10, Cpl. Tommy Gentry assisted Wildlife Tech Mitch Yeargin, Tim Gilbreath, Josh Aldridge, Larry Ethridge and Joe Hill on a multi- agency roadblock on CrockfordPigeon Mountain WMA. The other agencies involved were the Ga. State Patrol, Walker County SO, Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force, and Hayes Prison. Five drug charges, one DUI, and numerous traffic arrests were made.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 10th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lower Pool at Lake Lanier Dam for fishing activity. The rangers received a complaint of illegal consumption of alcohol and littering. The rangers observed the individuals on the riverbank walking out. One individual was charged with littering and another with under age possession/consumption of alcohol.
GWINNETT COUNTY On May 5th, Sgt. Lee Brown along with an intern responded to a complaint of fishing without permission at Freeman Lake. Upon arrival they observed six Hispanics fishing in the lake. All six were charged with fishing without permission.

HALL COUNTY On May 4th, RFC Mark Stephens and Ranger Pamela Garrison responded to a boating incident involving a PWC at Aqualand Marina. Upon arriving, they learned that the PWC had capsized and while trying to get back on the vessel, the operator who was not wearing a PFD had went under the water. DNR Rangers have been assisting dive teams to try to locate the body.
On May 10th, Ranger Pamela Garrison, RFC Mitchell Crump, and Sgt. Lee Brown received a complaint of a red bass boat with 2 blue jet skis jumping the wakes of boats on Lake Lanier. The Rangers found the three vessels and observed the actions of the vessels. All three operators were charged with reckless operation.
TOWNS COUNTY On May 3rd, RFC David Webb assisted the Hiawassee Police Department and the Towns County Sheriff's Office with the surveillance of a potential drug dealer traveling through Towns County. RFC Webb and the Hiawassee police chief located the suspected drug dealer, followed him in an unmarked patrol car, and observed several traffic violations. The officers then radioed their observations to a Towns County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit who in turn stopped the vehicle for the traffic violations. The 29-year-old driver from Warn, NC was found to be in possession of a quarter pound of marijuana. The driver was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
On May 7th, RFC David Webb cited a Towns county man for taking a bear out of season. On the Friday before, the man heard a noise on his front deck and opened the door to see a bear going through his trash. He then proceeded to the back of the house, retrieved his rifle, and walked out the side door. At that time, the bear was running through the front yard approximately 30-40 yards away from the man when he shot it. The bear was not posing a threat to anyone or had not cause any property damage at the time of the incident.
HART COUNTY On May 9th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and RFC Chris Moore assisted State Probation officers and the Hart County Sheriffs Office with a search of a subject's residence near Carters Ferry on Lake Hartwell. The Rangers found an alligator that was living in the bathtub. Several illegal firearms were also found. Sheriff Mike Cleveland along with Rangers walked behind the residence and noticed a trail that was being used and located eight potted marijuana plants growing behind the residence. Cpl. Fulghum charged the subject for possessing a game animal without a permit and confiscated the alligator. The Hart County Sheriff's Office charged the subject with numerous firearm and drug charges.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY On May 4th, Cpl. Ben Payne and his work section patrolled the Savannah River in two patrol vessels. The "Day in the Country" concert was taking place on the Savannah River

at Riverfront Drive in Augusta. Approximately 200 vessels turned out for the event. Several safety contacts where made with 1 boating under the influence arrest. No accidents were reported.
WILKES COUNTY On, May 8th, at approximately 2:00 pm, RFC Bob Holley was patrolling north Wilkes County when a Wilkes County Sheriff's Office patrol unit became involved in a vehicle pursuit with a pick-up truck. RFC Holley responded to the deputy's call for assistance and arrived on scene shortly after the truck took the pursuit off road. The deputy was unable to pursue the truck after it drove around a gate and onto a power line. RFC Holley then drove onto the property in an attempt to locate the truck and its occupants as the Sheriff's units and units from the Georgia State Patrol set up a perimeter on the surrounding roads. RFC Holley located the truck on a logging road a short time later, but both occupants had fled on foot. A search of the area for the subjects met with no results and both subjects were still at large at the time of this report. The truck, which was reported stolen by the owner, was impounded and turned over to the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office.
GLASCOCK COUNTY For the 11th year in a row, RFC Brian Adams held his fishing rodeo in Gibson, Georgia. Adams provides a pond, fish, food and an army of volunteers to put on the six-day event. Every child from Pre-K to the fourth grade is bussed to the site for a day of fishing and wildlife education.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY Two of Region III's Rangers were recognized last week at the State Employees Recognition Ceremony. RFC Robert Timmerman was the state winner for Individual Safety for his efforts on Clarks Hill Lake. RFC Brian Adams was the state winner for heroism for his rescue of a father and child that were trapped in an abandoned well.
ELBERT COUNTY On May 8, CPl. Julian Wilkins presented a Career Day program at Elbert County High School.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On May 4, Cpl. Brent Railey patrolled Troup County checking turkey hunting complaints as well as checking fishermen. One warning was issued for shooting at the West Point WMA shooting range before it opened at noon.
On May 4, Cpl. Railey and Cpl. Bradfield patrolled the central portion of the Chattahoochee River on West Point Lake. They checked several boats and charged one boat operator with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and child endangerment after he failed sobriety exercises and registered .115 on the intoxilyzer

5000 test at the Troup County Sheriff's Office. The man had four children from ages 7 to 13 on the vessel while he was operating.
On May 6, Cpl. Railey taught report writing at the Columbus Regional Police Academy.
On May 8, Cpl. Railey assisted with the "mock courtroom" training at the Ranger Academy located at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth Ga.
On May 10, Cpl. Railey participated in a work section detail on Lake Oliver checking boats and fishing licenses.
HARRIS COUNTY On May 5, RFC Oliver completed an investigation dating from April 20 involving two subjects hunting turkey w/o permission. The two subjects met RFC Oliver at the Harris County Sheriff's Office with one subject being booked on charges of hunting w/o permission and the second for hunting w/o permission and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
On May 10, RFC Oliver patrolled Goat Rock Lake for fishing and boating violations. Close to twenty boats were checked as well as many fishermen with few violations observed.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY
On May 6, RFC Oliver received a call from Alabama Marine Police in reference to a boating incident on Lake Oliver, which lies between Georgia and Alabama. RFC Oliver took the information and contacted the Lee County Sheriff's Office in Alabama for additional information. RFC Oliver was informed that the subject was in custody for violations in Alabama that occurred after the incident. On May 9th, RFC Oliver and Sgt. Randy Hackley began an investigation into the boat incident. The operator of the boat was interviewed and gave a written statement admitting guilt to several violations, including BUI (Marijuana). RFC Oliver is completing the investigation and charges are pending upon the outcome of test conducted by the GBI Crime Lab.
On May 10, RFC Oliver and Sgt. Hackley patrolled the Chattahoochee River in Columbus by boat as part of a section detail that included two other officers patrolling Lake Oliver. Sgt. Hackley and RFC Oliver checked many fisherman and boaters along the river issuing citations for different boating violations and fishing infractions. The most common violations were insufficient life jackets and fishing w/o a license.
BALDWIN COUNTY On May 9, Cpl. Stanford and Sgt. Kelly conducted boating safety patrol on Lake Sinclair. One vessel was stopped for operating at night without navigation lights and issued a citation. Several other vessels were stopped for minor violations and given verbal warnings.
On May 11, RFC Welch and Sgt. Kelly were deployed to Twiggs County to assist local law enforcement with rescue/recovery efforts resulting from tornado damage to the area.

Both rangers patrolled rural roads checking for downed power lines and the welfare of local residents.

HOUSTON COUNTY On the afternoon of May 10th, Cpl. Robert Stillwell and Wildlife Technician Greg Wade encountered a subject with two small children parked near the public boat ramp at Knowles' Landing on the Ocmulgee River. Officers contacted the adult and, while speaking with the subject, observed drug related paraphernalia lying in plain view on the vehicle's front seat and floorboard. Further investigation revealed the subject was in possession of crack cocaine and had an active arrest warrant in a nearby county. Besides recovering additional drug paraphernalia from the vehicle, officers were able to determine the subject had driven the vehicle to the location and had left the children unattended while ingesting the drug. The subject was placed into custody and, along with the children, turned over to the custody of the sheriff's office. Charges resulting from the incident include felony violation the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, driving with a suspended license, and child endangerment
MONROE COUNTY On the morning of May 10th, Corporal Tony Wynne provided safety support by boat during the swimming event of the ladies Triathlon at Indian Springs State Park.
On the evening of May 10th, RFC Chad Welch, Federal Agent Tom Payne, and Cpl. Tony Wynne checked a complaint area in Monroe County for illegal activity where RFC Welch made one arrest for drugs.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
COLQUITT COUNTY On May 6th, while conducting a license check along the Ochlockonee River, Cpl. Jason Shipes found an individual fishing without a license. Further investigation revealed the subject had outstanding felony warrants from Dougherty County. The individual was arrested and transported to the Colquitt County Detention Center.
MITCHELL COUNTY On May 5th, RFC Randy Davis investigated a complaint of trapping out of season. RFC Davis located the trap line and conducted a surveillance operation to apprehend the illegal trapper. During the surveillance period RFC Davis observed and arrested a subject for trapping out of season.
BROOKS COUNTY On May 10th, RFC Jon Penuel and Sgt. David Ruddell attended the Brooks County Public Safety Day. The rangers provided the attendees with an overview of the functions, capabilities and duties of Conservation Rangers.
TIFT COUNTY On May 10th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and Sgt. David Ruddell were patrolling Paradise PFA when they encountered an individual wanted by both the Tift County Sheriff's Department and the Tifton Police Department. The subject was placed under arrest and

turned over to the Tift County Sheriff's Department. After resuming their patrol, the two officers checked a boat on one of the PFA lakes. During the inspection, Cpl. Daughtrey noticed damage to the boat that indicated it had possibly been stolen. Further investigation by Cpl. Daughtrey determined the boat had been stolen out of Irwin County. The boat and operator were turned over to the Irwin County Sheriff's Office investigators, who quickly located the rightful owner and are continuing their investigation. Later this night the two officers encountered a wreck on a remote dirt road in Berrien County. The driver, who was extremely intoxicated, was released to Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class David Sellars who conducted the investigation. The driver was arrested for D.U.I. and transported to the Berrien County jail.
LEE COUNTY On May 9th, Cpl. Mike Binion, RFC Ben Roberts and Ranger Randy James attended a Career Day for students at Lee County Elementary School. The officers discussed careers within the Law Enforcement Section of the Department of Natural Resources, along with duties and responsibilities of Conservation Rangers. Students were also provided an opportunity to view patrol craft and a demonstration of a police canine.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On May 4th, Cpl. Robbie Griner and Cpl. Scott Carroll responded to a 911 call in reference to a boater falling overboard on Lake Worth. Upon arriving at the scene they were informed that an elderly fisherman had fallen overboard while attempting to get a boat off of a stump. The boater was wearing a PFD, which enabled him to climb back aboard his vessel, however, the two officers were concerned about water the gentleman had inhaled. They arranged for him to be checked by paramedics at the ramp, and as a result of the water inhalation he was hospitalized for three days.
On May 8th, Cpl. Robbie Griner was working Lake Worth when he observed a boat operating in a no wake area above idle speed and without the required running lights. A stop of the vessel was initiated, and the operator failed field sobriety tests. He was charged with boating under the influence and operating without required running lights.
DECATUR COUNTY On May 5, RFC Tony Cox responded to a hunting incident in Decatur County where he found four males illegally hunting squirrels. All four subjects were charged for hunting out of season.
CRISP COUNTY On May 4, while on patrol on Lake Blackshear, Sgt. Wade Law and RFC Clint Martin were flagged down by a boater in a disabled vessel. After attempts to repair the vessel failed, the officers towed it along with the operator and his family to a location where repairs were available.

SUMTER COUNTY

On May 3, Sgt. Wade Law was notified at 8:20 pm by the State Operation Center that

two canoeist were lost on Kinchafoonee Creek. When the couple failed to arrive at the

designated take out point, a family member called the Georgia State Patrol who in turn

notified the Department of Natural Resources. A combined search and rescue response

was quickly organized, and utilizing the infrared capabilities of the GSP helicopter the

two canoeist were located on a remote section of the creek. The two conservation

rangers, a county deputy and a volunteer fireman then proceeded on foot to the couple's

location

and

lead

them

to

safety.

CHATTAHOOTCHEE COUNTY On May 3, Cpl. Robinson and Sgt. Potter checked a boat occupied by three men fishing limb lines. An inspection of the boat's live well revealed a live three-foot alligator. The boat owner was charged with illegally possession of an alligator and operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs. The alligator was released.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)

DODGE COUNTY On May 10th, Cpl Johnny Ashe completed an investigation of possible over the limit and trespassing. Cpl Ashe found and interviewed the subject and found that he had harvested over the limit of turkey by taking a total of 6 birds during the season. The issue of permission was cleared and the subject's firearm and all evidence to the birds were seized pending the court date. The subject had been hunting in several areas of Dodge and killed every bird he could call within gun range. He was issued citations for hunting after obtaining the limit, taking over the bag limit and possession for illegally taken wildlife. He was also issued a warning for hunting without a license, which were lost during the season.

COOK COUNTY On May 5, Cpl. Greg Moody responded to a call of illegal burning. Subject was burning insulation and admitted to burning wire the night before. He was cited for unlawful burning of waste less than 500lbs/100cu.ft.

ATKINSON COUNTY On May 7, Sgt. David Nugent located an area baited with cracked corn while on foot patrol. Citations had previously been written on this property for hunting deer over bait. On May 10, RFC Tim Hutto checked this area and located a subject hunting/calling less than 100 yards from the bait with an unplugged shotgun. The hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Later that morning, RFC Hutto and Sgt. Nugent located and cited another hunter with an unplugged shotgun.

BERRIEN COUNTY While performing boating safety and license checks at Paradise PFA on May 10, RFC Tim Hutto and Sgt. David Nugent encountered a boat with three fishermen on board. There were no life jackets and one subject was drinking alcohol. The operator of the boat was cited for operating a vessel without C.G.A. PFD's and the other subject was cited for illegal consumption of alcohol on a PFA. Several more violations were detected at other lakes on the PFA, including several for fishing without a WMA license on a PFA and possession of illegal size fish (bass).
CHARLTON COUNTY On May 10th, CPL Gary Simmons and RFC Brad Cox conducted a boating safety patrol on the St. Mary's River. The rangers patrolled from Trader's Hill Recreational Area to Colerain. Many vessels and anglers were checked and seven citations and warnings were issued for boating infractions.
ECHOLS COUNTY On May 8th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree received a report from a citizen that an individual had been observed throwing two plastic garbage bags containing unknown items from the Alapaha River Bridge on Howell Road. The location is a popular swimming and public use area, known locally as Mayday Beach. The citizen provided Sgt. Dupree with the individual's description along with his vehicle's description and tag number. On May 10th, Sgt. Dupree located and charged the violator with littering. The bags contained unwanted parts from a recovered road-killed deer.
BULLOCH COUNTY On May 9th Cpl. Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted a boating safety patrol of the Ogeechee River. The Rangers checked 20 boats, 37 fishing licenses and issued 3 citations for fishing and life jacket violations. The boat without life jackets was escorted back to the landing.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 10th Cpl. Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted a boating safety patrol on the Ogeechee River. The Rangers checked 15 boats, 31 fishing licenses and issued 4 citations and warnings for fishing and life jacket violations.
EVANS COUNTY On May 11th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked the Evans County PFA. Two citations were written for fishing without a WMA license and a warning for fishing with more than two poles and lines. Two subjects were transported to the Evans County Sheriffs Office because they could not provide any identification. They were charged for fishing without licenses and warnings for fishing without a WMA licenses.
On May 8th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked the Canoochee River and the Public Fishing Area for fishing activity. Several citations were issued for fishing without licenses and operating a vessel without personal flotation devices. One warning was issued for no registration.

JENKINS COUNTY On May 4, Cpl. Don Dasher was checking properties that had a landowner affidavit on file. At one of the properties he found two people fishing. Both were charged with fishing without permission.
CANDLER COUNTY On May 8th, RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to a landowner complaint that three subjects were fishing in his pond without permission. RFC O'Brien responded to the pond and found the violators fishing from the bank. While RFC O'Brien was interviewing the subjects, one fled on foot and got away. The remaining two were arrested and transported to the Candler County Jail. The two suspects were charged with fishing without permission. The third subject was never located after a search of the wooded area near the pond.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On May 10, Ranger First Class Craig Smith was conducting a boating safety patrol at the Meeting Street boat ramp. While there he observed a 20' vessel with several adults and two small children on board. The two small children were not wearing life jackets. RFC Smith determined that the operator was under the influence of alcohol through a series of observations and screening exercises. The operator was placed under arrest and taken to the Camden County Jail where he was cited for operating vessel under influence, allowing a child under ten to ride in a vessel without a life jacket, and two charges of Child Endangerment (BUI).
GLYNN AND MCINTOSH COUNTIES On May 11, Sergeant John Harwell, Cpl. Ron Harris, Cpl. Chris Hodge, RFC Craig Smith, Wildlife Tech IV Wayne Hubbard, Wildlife Tech II Jay Drury, Wildlife Tech I Bobby Cox, and Wildlife Tech I Tony Smith responded due to tornadoes that touched down in McIntosh and Glynn Counties. The officers conducted search and rescue operations in the damaged areas of the counties via trucks and ATV's, accessing areas where patrol cars could not due to downed trees and power lines.
The officers also used chain saws to cut through trees that had fallen so that people could get out of their homes. While searching and checking for possible injuries, the officers located an elderly male that was on oxygen that only had about 2 hrs oxygen supply remaining. The officers were able to make contact with EMS personnel and guide them back to the man's location, where he was checked out by EMS and then transported to the hospital. The officers then provided general law enforcement patrols via ATV's until the roads were cleared where people and patrol cars could access the damaged neighborhoods.

On May 1, Captain Stephen Adams, Corporal Jesse Cook, Corporal Ron Harris and Ranger First Class Mark Carson trained the Glynn County Police SORT team on how to tactically board and take control of small and large recreational boats and commercial fishing vessels. The officers practiced inserting one single team of five SORT officers on a boat at a time and on how to insert two five man teams on a boat simultaneously.
On May 10, Cpl. Ron Harris and RFC Mark Carson participated in the 10th Annual Kid Care Safety Fair at Nalley Auto in Brunswick. The officers spoke on boating safety, with particular emphasis on the proper wearing and use of life jackets and ATV safety.
CHATHAM COUNTY On May 10, Ranger Justin Heyward received a call from US Coast Guard Station Tybee stating that individuals were catching undersize fish at the Fort Pulaski Bridge leading to their Station. Ranger Heyward responded and checked thirty individuals for fishing licenses. Five individuals were arrested for not having a fishing license and transported to the Chatham County Jail since they could not provide identification. No undersized fish were found.
GLYNN COUNTY On May 4, CPpl. Ron Harris and Cpl. Jesse Cook responded to the crash scene of a single engine aircraft offshore of Jekyll Island. Upon arrival, Cpl Harris and Cpl Cook coordinated efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard in an effort to determine whether any victims other than the pilot may have been aboard the aircraft. Cpl. Harris and Cook recovered the victim and transported him to the Jekyll Island public boat ramp where emergency personnel met them. Officers responded back to the scene until it was determined there were no other subjects on board the aircraft.
On May 5, RFC Mark Carson and Cpl. Jesse Cook responded to East Beach on St. Simons Island in reference to a 55-gallon barrel of suspected toxic substance floating 1020 yards offshore. The Rangers assisted the Glynn County Police Department, Glynn County Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and DNR's EPD Emergency Response Team in evacuating the beach and removing the barrel after the contents were identified.
BRYAN COUNTY On May 5, Cpl. Cindy Miller and Intern Crystal Simmons were on saltwater patrol in the Bear River area. Cpl. Miller checked three boats coming from offshore. Subjects on all three boats were cited for possession of undersized fish. A total of 15 black sea bass and 2 red snapper were confiscated. The majority of the black sea bass were 10 inches.
LIBERTY COUNTY On May 8, RFC Isaac Strickland presented a Career Day Program to 60 8th grade students at Lewis Frasier Elementary School. RFC Strickland talked to the kids about the duties of a Conservation Ranger and the requirements for a career as a Conservation Ranger.