Field operations weekly report, 2008 April 20-26

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 20-26, 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)
CARROLL COUNTY On April 26th, Cpl. Eric Brown patrolled the Snake Creek Reservoir for trespassers who were fishing without permission. During the patrol, 12 individuals were cited for fishing without permission.
CATOOSA COUNTY On April 26th, Rangers McConkey and Gentry were checking trout fisherman on West Armuchee Creek when they found a 67-year-old woman stranded on National Forest land. The subject told the Rangers her horse had spooked and she had fallen off. She also stated the horse had run off into the woods with her truck keys and cell phone. The Rangers made sure the woman had no major injuries and then assisted in finding her horse. The horse was located just after dark approximately 6-7 miles from the location where the woman was found.
On April 25th, Ranger McConkey spent the afternoon patrolling trout fishing locations in Catoosa County. A good number of fishermen were out this evening due to nice weather and rainbow trout being stock earlier that morning in the local streams. 27 fishing license were checked and no violations were found.
FANNIN COUNTY On April 24th,Sgt. John VanLandingham and Cpl. James Keener participated in an Information and Education program with the Fannin County Middle School. The officers set up the Fishing Simulator nearly 100 participants.
GILMER COUNTY On April 25th, Sgt. John VanLandingham obtained warrants on a suspect for driving on the wrong side of the road, driving without a license, giving false information to law enforcement, and obstruction of law enforcement.
GORDON COUNTY On April 25th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and Cpl. Casey Jones, while patrolling the Coosawattee River, issued two citations for possession of alcohol by an underage person, and furnishing alcohol to an underage person.
MURRAY COUNTY On April 25th, Sgt John VanLandingham and Cpl. Casey Jones patrolled the Conasauga River. The officers issued three citations for fishing without a license, and arrested one suspect for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, for possession of Hydrocodone.

WHITFIELD COUNTY On April 20th, RFC Eddie Tompkins patrolled the Conasauga River and issued three citations for fishing without license.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
WHITE COUNTY On April 26th, Wildlife Technician Scott Bardenwerper, Wildlife Technician David Shattuck, RFC Anne Alexander, and RFC Mitchell Crump investigated a turkey hunting complaint that involved shooting from a road, and hunting without permission near the city of Robertstown. As a result of the investigation, a White County man was charged for hunting without permission, hunting from a road, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. One gobbler was confiscated. While investigating this complaint, the officers discovered 2 untagged partial alligator hides at this man's residence and learned of another hide in a different location. The alligator hides were confiscated and the officers are continuing an investigation on them.
On April 26th, RFC Anne Alexander and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling the Chattahoochee WMA for fishing activity. The officers were checking fishermen at the Low Gap Bridge when RFC Alexander came in contact with a moving vehicle occupied by two male subjects along with a young child in the backseat. RFC Alexander noticed that all subjects inside the vehicle were not wearing their seatbelts. After further investigation, the operator of the vehicle was turned over to a White County Heat Unit deputy and was arrested for DUI, child endangerment, driving while license suspended, open container, & seatbelt violations. USFS Ranger Jimmy Allen charged the passenger of the vehicle for unlawful consumption of alcohol (under 21).
UNION COUNTY On April 20th, RFC Kevin Dyer and USFS Officer Mike Tipton were patrolling Union County for hunters in a Raccoon Dog Trial on Bowers Cove. While patrolling the Wolf Creek area, the officers came upon a loud camp at approximately 12:30am. After further investigation of the party, USFS LE issued 15 citations to college students for underage consumption of alcohol and 4 citations for VGCSA, possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
RABUN COUNTY On April 26th, Cpl. Derek Dillard and RFC Chad Chambers were patrolling the Tallulah River for fishing activity. The officers came across a group of fishermen that had a lot of trout on stringers and in their vehicles. After checking each fisherman for licenses and creel limits, the officers determined that one fisherman had caught over his daily limit of trout. This person was cited for possession of 8 over his daily creel limit of trout and his trout were confiscated.

HABERSHAM COUNTY On April 26th, Cpl. Buddy Lovell and Intern Kenneth Frady were checking Lawson Lake for fishing activity. They encountered 2 fishermen at the lake and while checking their licenses Cpl. Lovell detected the odor of burning marijuana. The male and female fishermen were found to be in possession of 2 undersize largemouth bass, marijuana, and their boat was improperly registered. Further investigation revealed the male subject was a convicted felon and was in possession of a loaded shotgun. Cpl. Lovell charged the male subject for: possessing undersize bass, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and warned him for the improperly registered vessel. Both the male and female subjects were taken into custody and charged for the VGCSA possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce by the Habersham County Sheriff's Office.
FORSYTH COUNTY On April 23rd, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mark Stephens were patrolling the Chattahoochee River for fishing activity. The Rangers saw two subjects sitting on the rocks next to the river. As the Rangers were approaching them a male subject jumped up and starting throwing something. It was later determined that he was throwing beer bottles. The Rangers escorted them back to their vehicle. The male was charged with littering, possession of alcohol by an underage person, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Gwinnett County. The female was charged with possession of alcohol by an underage person.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GREENE COUNTY Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner responded to a distress call from a burning vessel on Lake Oconee. The vessel was completely destroyed upon their arrival. No injuries were reported.
ELBERT COUNTY On April 26th, 2008 Cpl. Julian Wilkins responded to a lost/stranded boater call on Lake Russell. Wilkins was able to locate the vessel and get the occupants to safety.
BURKE COUNTY On April 26th, RFC Billips and Matherly assisted the Governor's Office for Highway Safety with a safety road check. During the road check the officers encountered a vehicle whose driver appeared to be under the influence. After an investigation, the vehicle driver was arrested for DUI - Drugs

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
PUTNAM COUNTY On April 24, Cpl. Stanford went to Gatewood Schools in Eatonton and instructed kids in grades 2-5 on boating safety and water safety.
On April 26, RFC Stanford and Sgt. Kelly were patrolling Lake Sinclair and had issued several warnings for boating safety violations. Around 8:45 p.m., Cpl. Stanford and Sgt. Kelly observed a pontoon boat that did not have a visible white (stern) light on. Cpl. Stanford and Sgt. Kelly stopped the pontoon and discussed the matter with the operator. The operator displayed signs of being intoxicated and field sobriety was done on the operator. The driver was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence and given a warning for operating without lights.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On April 22 and 24, RFC Oliver and RFC Bolen taught a boating/personal watercraft course in Muscogee County.
BIBB COUNTY On April 20, Sgt. Fox conducted a boating incident investigation regarding a boat fire that occurred the previous day at Lake Tobesofkee. Although the vessel sustained extensive damage to its stern area, there were no injuries involved.
PULASKI COUNTY On April 26, RFC Butler was conducting boating safety checks at Sand Hammock Landing on the Ocmulgee River. In the process of checking one particular boat, Butler discovered the boat's passenger had illegally disposed of empty beer containers along the river's bank. Due to suspicious actions of the individual while speaking with the officer, Butler asked for consent to search. During this search the individual was found to be in possession of powdered cocaine and associated drug paraphernalia. The subject was taken into custody and charged with violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On April 19, while on routine patrol for turkey hunting activity in Meriwether County, Sgt. Ramsey and Cpl. Waddell located and cited a subject for the unlawful burning of copper wire off Mt. Carmel Road in Gay Ga.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BROOKS COUNTY On April 26, at approximately 8:00 pm, Brooks County 911 notified DNR officers of a drowning in the Little River on the Brooks/Cook county line. Cpl. Jason Shipes, Cpl. Greg Moody, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and RFC David Brady responded to the incident and at approximately 9:45 pm and located and recovered the victim.

COLQUITT COUNTY On April 25, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC David Brady were on patrol when they noticed black smoke billowing from a residence on Willingham Road. Upon further investigation the officers discovered a camper that was fully engulfed in flames at the rear of the residence. The intense heat from the fire was causing damage to the residence and threatening to ignite it. RFC Brady requested fire department support while Cpl. Shipes determined if the residence was occupied. Cpl. Shipes and RFC Brady then used a water hose to protect the residence from further damage until the fire department arrived and extinguished the blaze.
STEWART COUNTY On April 26, Cpl. Steve Robinson was patrolling Hannahatchee Creek WMA when he encountered a turkey hunter whose license had been expired for two weeks. After assuring Robinson that he would immediately renew his licenses he was issued a warning for the violation.
QUITMAN COUNTY On the night of April 26, Sgt. Butch Potter was patrolling in the vicinity of Lake W.F. George when he observed an individual tampering with the pay collection box at the Cool Branch COE Park. Further investigation by Sgt. Potter revealed the man to have drug paraphernalia and thirteen COE pay envelopes containing money. The 32 year old was charged with theft by taking and possession of a drug related object.
DECATUR COUNTY On April 25, RFC Jeff Phillips was conducting a boat patrol on Lake Seminole when he boarded a pontoon boat to perform a license and creel check. While aboard the vessel, RFC Phillips discovered evidence justifying a more thorough search that uncovered marijuana and a substantial amount of methamphetamine. Four subjects where arrested and turned over to investigators with the Decatur Co. Sheriff's Office. All were charged with felony counts of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On April 20th, RFC Ben Roberts was traveling on Hwy 19 in Dougherty County when he recognized the driver of a vehicle that passed him. Based upon an earlier encounter, RFC Roberts had reason to believe the individuals drivers license was suspended. Roberts conducted a license check and determined the suspension was in effect and a separate warrant had been issued for the individual. RFC Roberts initiated a stop and the operator was placed under arrest and charged with driving with a suspended license He was then transported to the Lee County Sheriff's Office based upon the outstanding arrest warrant.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TOOMBS COUNTY On April 25th, Wildlife Technician III Bobby Sanders heard a shot in an area known to be baited for turkeys and notified Cpl Jon Barnard. Sander's went to the area and found a hunter who stated he had shot at a turkey. Cpl. Barnard arrived and the hunter was given citations for hunting big game over bait and non-resident hunting without a license and a warning for non-resident hunting without a big game license.
On April 26th and 27th, RFC Jamie O'Brien, RFC Clint Jarriel, RFC Danielle Partin and Cpl. Jon Barnard assisted Vidalia P.D. with crowd control at the Vidalia Onion Air Show. There was an estimated 30,000 spectators in attendance each day.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On April 20th, Cpl. Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled a stretch of the Ogeechee River and issued five citations and warnings for boating and fishing violations. The violations included operating a vessel with insufficient personal floatation devices (PFD's), vessel registration violations and fishing license violations.
EVANS COUNTY On April 25th, RFC Debbie Brannen performed boating safety checks on the Canoochee River at the US Hwy 301 Bridge. One individual was cited for fishing without a license and another was cited for operating a vessel without lifejackets.
On April 25th, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Canoochee River at Groveland Bridge and US Hwy 280. She issued two warnings for fishing without a license and one citation for operating a vessel with insufficient lifejackets.
COFFEE COUNTY On April 25th, RFC Mike Kicklighter was traveling to a hunting expo in Waycross when he saw the driver of another vehicle throw a can out of the window. He stopped the vehicle and conducted a field sobriety test on the female driver. The results showed her alcohol level was not above the legal limit so she was charged with littering and released at the scene.
CHARLTON COUNTY On April 21, Cpl. Gary Simmons responded to a call in reference to fishing without permission. Upon arrival, Cpl. Simmons located 2 subjects fishing without permission and charged both.

WARE COUNTY On April 25th, 26th, and 27th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl. Gary Simmons, Cpl. Damon Winters, Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Greg Moody, RFC Mike Kicklighter, Capt. Scott Klingel, RFC Tim Hutto, Cpl. Jimmy Williams and RFC Debbie Brannen operated an educational booth and display at the Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation's Okefenokee Outdoors Expo & Sporting Dog Trade Show in Waycross. Approximately 2500 people attended the three-day event, enjoying the laser shot and fishing simulator.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On April 24th, Sgt. Byers and RFC Horne investigated an accusation that someone had killed a fawn deer at Bullard Creek WMA Beach Day Use Area. It was not found that a deer had been killed, however, three warnings were issued for possession of a loaded firearm on the WMA and two citations were issued for fishing without a license.
DODGE COUNTY On April 26th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe responded to a call of a subject hunting without permission on the William's property. Once on scene, Cpl. Ashe talked with the parties and found a 17-year-old hunting on the property. The 17-year-old's uncle had leased the property the previous year but did not have it leased this year. He was advised of the violation and was issued a written warning per the landowner's request.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
MCINTOSH COUNTY On April 21, Sgt. John Harwell and Wildlife Tech IV Wayne Hubbard responded to an abandoned vessel on fire in Roscoe Cut. The vessel burned to the waterline and then began to sink. There were no witnesses to the fire at the scene. The vessel had been abandoned for months and Coastal Resources was in the process of having it removed by the owner.
After receiving a complaint on April 24, Cpl. Ron Harris cited 3 individuals for fishing without permission in the Ft. Barrington area of the Altamaha River. Ft. Barrington has a small private fishing club just off the Altamaha River in McIntosh County.
GLYNN COUNTY On April 20, RFC Craig Smith was conducting a JEA dockside inspection of vessels coming from offshore at Blythe Island public boat landing. RFC Smith encountered an individual that had been offshore fishing and was in possession of undersize black sea bass. The individual was cited for possession of undersize fish and the fish were confiscated as evidence.

On April 25, while checking fishing areas around East River, Sgt. Bob Lynn encountered four Hispanic males fishing from the riverbank. Sgt. Lynn checked for fishing license and creel limits. The subjects were in possession of a small amount of blue crabs, which were of legal size. One subject was cited for fishing without a license.
On April 26, Cpl Jesse Cook conducted an educational program involving the laser shot system and fishing simulator at St. Francis Elementary School.
WAYNE COUNTY On April 26, RFC Randy Aspinwall presented the Laser Shot Program at the Oquinn Baptist church in Wayne County. They were having their Spring Fling. There were about 100 kids and adults in attendance.