Field operations weekly report, 2008 July 20-26

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report July 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On July 26th, Ranger Barton Hendrix and Ranger James Psillis patrolled Lake Allatoona. The rangers issued two citations for catching game fish by illegal means (cast nets).
On July 26th, Cpl. Chip Cox and RFC Byron Young presented an Information & Educational Program for the Georgia Farmers and Hunters Feed the Hungry Organization (GAFHFH) in Adairsville.
On July 27th, Cpl. Chip Cox, RFC Byron Young, Ranger Barton Hendrix, and Ranger James Psillis assisted the Cherokee County Dive Team and the Bartow County EMA with the recovery of a drowning victim in the Webster's Ferry area of Lake Allatoona. Later that evening RFC Byron Young and Ranger Baron Hendrix arrest an adult male for boating under the influence.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On July 26th, Ranger Barton Hendrix and Ranger James Psillis patrolled Lake Allatoona. The rangers issued one citation for towing a skier without wearing a lifejacket.
On July 27th, RFC Byron Young and Ranger Barton Hendrix investigated a boating incident where a female received lacerations to her foot from a propeller. The rangers also issued several citations for various boating safety violations.
MURRAY COUNTY On July 25th, RFC Eddie Tompkins secured arrest warrants on two taxidermists operating in Murray County. On June 4th, Conservation Rangers and Agents from the US Fish and Wildlife Service served search warrants on this taxidermy business. Both individuals were charged with selling of bears, and the owner of the shop was charged with not keeping proper taxidermy records and not tagging wildlife.
On July 25th, RFC Eddie Tompkins was patrolling Carters Lake in reference to complaints of vessels operating without lights after dark. RFC Tompkins issued 6 citations and 5 warnings including 1 BUI. RFC Tompkins stopped a vessel operating without a stern light in the main body of the lake and determined that the operator was under the influence of alcohol. The operator was placed under arrest and transported to DNR boathouse for evidentiary testing. The operator had a blood alcohol level of .189.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HALL COUNTY On July 26th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were notified of a possible intoxicated boat operator just outside of Cocktail Cove on Lake Lanier. The rangers arrived and the Hall County Sheriff's Office had a female subject stopped. Upon further investigation she was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested for boating under the influence and violation of rules of the road.
On July 26th, RFC Mark Stephens and RFC Eric Isom investigated a boating incident in Cocktail Cove where a woman had passed out and was going in and out of consciousness. They were assisted by the Hall County Fire Department Marine boat that transported the subject to the shore. Later that evening Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Crump received a call of a boat that had gone aground with persons injured. They responded by boat and RFC Stephens responded by land. The injured person was transported to Aqualand Marina by a concerned boater. The person injured was transported to the hospital.
On July 27th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Mitchell Crump received a call that 5 male subjects were spearing fish at Little Hall Park on Lake Lanier. The officers responded to the area and located the subjects. It was determined that only 3 men were involved in the spearing, no fish had been caught, and none of the 3 had fishing license. The men were also not submerged completely while spearing. All 3 were given warnings for spearing fish without a license and spearing fish while not submerged.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On July 22nd, RFC Mitchell Crump and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck assisted the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office with their Junior Law Enforcement Academy. They talked to the students about gun safety and gave each one of them the opportunity to use the Laser Shot System. They also provided the Fishing Simulator for the students to use.
On July 23rd, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Mitchell Crump, RFC Anne Alexander, Wildlife Technicians David Shattuck and Frank Manning were at the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Firing Range to assist with the Junior Law Enforcement Academy. The Rangers and Technicians used the .22 caliber rifles from the Region II Shooting Sports Trailer for the students to shoot. For many of the students this was the first time that they had ever shot a firearm.

TOWNS COUNTY On July 20th, RFC Kevin Dyer and Sgt. Steve Seitz were patrolling Lake Chatuge when they stopped a vessel for an expired registration. While the officers were checking the registration and safety equipment, they detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the operator who was under 21 years of age. RFC Dyer conducted field sobriety tests on the operator who failed them. The operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and underage possession of alcohol. The operator was transported to the Towns County jail for a breath test where his test results were over .10.
On July 25th, RFC David Webb assisted the Georgia State Patrol ACE (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement) team with road checks in Towns County. Five DUI arrest were made and nineteen traffic violations were made which included open container, suspended license and expired license.
RABUN COUNTY On July 20th, Cpl. Buddy Lovell, RFC Anne Alexander, and Cpl. Derek Dillard responded to a drowning call on Lake Burton at approximately 10:00 AM. The male victim was swimming around his rental boat in the main body of the lake near the dam when he went under. The officers assisted the Rabun County Fire and Rescue and the Oconee County, SC & Hall County dive teams with the search for the victim.
From July 20th until July 26th, Cpl. Buddy Lovell, Cpl. Derek Dillard, and RFC Anne Alexander assisted the Rabun EMS, dive teams, search dogs, etc. search the over 100 foot deep area on Lake Burton for the drowning victim. As of July 26th, the drowning victim still has not been recovered.
WHITE COUNTY On July 21st, RFC Anne Alexander received a call from the White County Sheriff's Office that someone was shooting at vehicles with air soft rifles inside of Unicoi State Park. RFC Alexander responded to the area and located the two male subjects who were shooting at the vehicles. RFC Alexander cited each of them for performing unlawful acts on a State Park.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WARREN COUNTY On July 24th, RFC Bobby Timmerman, RFC Brian Adams, RFC Grant Matherly and Sgt. Mark Padgett assisted the Warren County Sheriff's Office with a search for a 10-year-old missing child. Officers located the child later that evening near his home.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On July 26th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins provided water safety assistance for the triathlon at Mistletoe State Park on Clarks Hill Lake. There were over 400 participants in the event.

LAKE OCONEE PUTNAM COUNTY While patrolling Lake Oconee on July 25th, Cpl. David Allen and Ranger Ricky Boles observed a vessel operating with improper lights. After stopping the vessel, it was determined that the operator was under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for BUI.
JEFFERSON COUNTY RFC Grant Matherly responded to a call from Wrens PD for assistance with an unruly and combative subject walking through town. The man was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On July 26th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and Cpl. Brent Railey worked a complaint in the city of West Point. A complainant had called about persons diving on the under water archeological site in the river and indicated that they believed these persons were taking items from the site. Upon arrival the two officers discovered that the persons were not disturbing the artifacts and were merely recreational diving.
Later on the 26th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and Cpl Brent Railey worked a boating accident on West Point Lake. A jet ski had collided with the left side of a bow rider ski boat. There were only very minor injuries and no one required medical attention. The jet ski obtained extensive damage to the hull and the ski boat had only slight damage at the impact area. The operator of the Jet Ski was issued a citation for a rules of the road violation for failing to yield right of way.
Jasper County On July 25th, at approximately 10 pm, RFC Keith Page and Sgt. Tim Kendrick stopped a vessel on Lake Jackson in Jasper County that was operating with no lights. Upon stopping the vessel, RFC Page smelled marijuana. The vessel operator denied having smoked any marijuana and gave RFC Page permission to search his vessel. The search revealed a small canister hidden in a compartment that contained both marijuana and methamphetamines. The operator was arrested and his vessel was seized and taken to the Jasper County Sheriff's Department. The operator is being charged with V.G.C.S.A. (misdemeanor) for the marijuana and V.G.C.S.A. (felony) for the methamphetamines.
On July 25th, at 11:19 pm, RFC Keith Page and Sgt. Tim Kendrick stopped a vessel on Lake Jackson in Jasper County for operating with improper bow lights. Upon stopping the vessel RFC Page smelled a strong odor of alcoholic on the operator's breath. The operator failed all field sobriety exercises and refused to give a state administered chemical test of his breath. He was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol.

PUTNAM COUNTY On July 25th, Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Ranger Josh Copelan were patrolling Lake Sinclair near Twin Bridges Marina when they stopped a vessel for not displaying its registration. The officers noticed that the operator was having difficulty standing up and moving about the boat and had slurred speech. The officers did field sobriety on the subject and placed him under arrest for boating under the influence. He was transported to the Putnam County Jail.
On July 26th, Cpl. Stanford and Cpl. Semmler were patrolling Lake Sinclair near the area of Steele Bridge when they stopped a pontoon boat because of underage children not wearing life jackets. The officers conducted a boating safety check and noticed that the operator had a beer in his cup holder. The operator stated that he had had one beer all day and agreed to do field sobriety. The officers performed field sobriety on the operator and they determined him to be under the influence of alcohol and they placed him under arrest and he was transported to the Putnam County Jail.
On July 26th, Cpl. Stanford and Cpl. Semmler were near the area of Twin Bridges Marina when they observed a pontoon boat operating without navigational lights. The officers noticed a white male with a blue shirt on operating the boat as it came by. When the officers caught up to the pontoon a white female was driving. When the officers activated their blue lights the female got up and another white male took control of the vessel and had great difficulty in stopping the vessel. Once the pontoon boat was stopped the officers approached and informed them of the reason they were being stopped. The officers noticed large quantities of alcohol in the boat and that both of the male operators admitted to drinking. Field sobriety was done on both of the male subjects and both were determined to be under the influence of alcohol and were placed under arrest and were transported to the Putnam County Jail.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CLAY COUNTY On July 22nd, RFC Jim Atchley along with members of several other law enforcement agencies conducted a search for a convicted sex offender. The offender had removed his monitoring device and fled by boat into a remote area on Pataula Creek. After a search lasting several hours the subject was found in a remote campsite and apprehended. At the time of his arrest he was armed with a machete and a hunting bow and told the officers he would have used his weapons against them if given the opportunity.
STEWART COUNTY On July 25th, Sgt. Butch Potter was patrolling Stewart County when he observed a vehicle operating in a reckless manner. After conducting a traffic stop, a check of the driver revealed that his license was suspended and he was wanted on several outstanding warrants. The driver was arrested and turned over to Stewart County Sheriff's Department.

DECATUR COUNTY On July 26th, RFC Tony Cox responded to a boating incident on the Flint River in Decatur County. According to witness statements, the 22 ft. vessel struck a submerged rock in the river channel. The impact punctured the bottom of the vessel and also tore off the entire lower unit. No injuries were reported in this incident and no charges were filed.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On July 25th, RFC Ben Roberts received a call from the Dougherty County Police Department in reference to someone illegally burning wire. Due to officer Roberts expertise in environmental law, he assumed the lead investigator role and a felony case of wire burning is pending against the persons involved.
Also on July 25th, RFC Ben Roberts and Ranger Randy James were leaving a boat ramp on lake Chehaw when they encountered a traffic accident on Philema Road. As they checked the condition of the drivers, it was determined that one was impaired. The violator was charged with DUI, following to closely and possession of an open container.
LEE COUNTY On July 26th, Ranger Randy James participated in a Rivers Alive clean up event in Lee County. The event was organized by Lee County Code Enforcement officer Jim Wright and involved the Kinchafoonee and Muckalee Creeks and the Flint River in Lee County.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WHEELER COUNTY On July 26th, RFC James McLaughlin and RFC Rodney Horne responded to Clarke's Bluff Landing on the Oconee River in reference to two people stranded on the river. The two individuals were drifting from one landing to another when they become stranded due to low river levels. The two had also been caught in a severe thunderstorm. The individuals were found and transported safely back to Clark's Bluff.
TELFAIR COUNTY On July 27th, RFC James McLaughlin and RFC Barry Britt worked a surveillance detail at the Jacksonville River Bridge Landing, where 11 citations were issued. The charges included littering, violating Georgia's open container law, driving under the influence and other offenses.
DODGE COUNTY While conducting surveillance at the McRanie's Landing on the Ocmulgee River, Cpl. Johnny Ashe and Fisheries Tech Dan Stiles observed two vessels down river that were being operated without lights. These persons appeared to be drinking and had been seen throwing their beer cans and bottles out into the woods surrounding the landing. The subjects also appeared to be setting out limb lines for catfish. After observations were made, the subjects were checked while still on the river. Both operators were screened for possible intoxication and several citations were issued for littering, operating vessel at

night without lights, and operating vessel with insufficient lifejackets. After checking the two vessels, Cpl. Ashe and Tech. Stiles met a vehicle at the landing with teenagers inside. The teens had been drinking and were turned over to their parents.
BULLOCH COUNTY On July 26th, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to call from the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office in reference to possible night hunting activity. The investigation resulted in two suspects being interviewed about the incident. The incident is still under investigation at this time.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 25th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Ranger Brandon Pierce worked Tuckaseeking Landing for boating and fishing activity. Several boats and fishermen were checked with no violations being found.
On July 24th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Ranger Brandon Pierce responded to a reported drowning off Old River Road. Officers McNeely and Pierce assisted the Effingham County Sheriff's Department and Savannah Chatham County divers with the search. Officers recovered the body of a 21 year old male from a borrow pit near Pecan Grove. The victim and friends had been swimming when the incident occurred.
SCREVEN COUNTY On July 27th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Cpl. Don Dasher responded to a report of a missing family canoeing on the Savannah River. At approximately 10 pm the officers conducted a search up river from Poor Robin Landing. The missing family was discovered in good condition 10 miles above Poor Robin Landing at 11:30 pm. The officers transported the family off the river.
ECHOLS COUNTY On July 25th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, while working a night deer hunting complaint near Fargo, encountered two groups hunting hogs with dogs. Nine hunting licenses were checked along with associated hunting equipment and no violations were found.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On July 25th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Ogeechee River at the Ft. McAllister area, checking boats due to a complaint regarding boats causing excessive wakes near docks. Two men were cited for operating PWCs above idle speed within 100 foot of the docks.
On July 26th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller worked a complaint of excessive wakes near docks at the Ft. McAllister public boat ramp. One subject was cited for operating a vessel above idle speed within 100 foot of a dock. A recreational fisherman was cited for possession of undersized blacktip shark.

LIBERTY COUNTY On July 26th, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the area around St. Catherine's Island. A commercial shrimper was cited for failing to have his boat identification number displayed. Three separate sport-fishermen were cited for possessing of undersize speckled trout and red drum.
GLYNN COUNTY
On July 22nd, RFC Craig Smith responded to a PWC accident on McKay River. No injuries only property damage.
On July 26th, RFC Mark Carson conducted a JEA patrol with Cpl. Jesse Cook in St. Simon's Sound checking boats coming in from offshore. Later in the night RFC Carson checked fishing license on St. Simon's Causeway and at Jekyll Pier citing people for fishing without a license. RFC Carson also assisted GSP Jekyll Island with recovering a stolen Red Bug (Rental Car).