Department of Natural Resources 
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section 
Field Operations 
Weekly Report June 29-July 5, 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 June 10th, Sgt. Mike Barr was returning home from a special detail on Lake Allatoona. He was traveling through Pine Log on Calico Valley Road. As he passed a small house along the road, he witnessed two white males standing over a pile of wire actively burning to remove the plastic covering. Burning wire is a violation of the environmental waste and dumping laws. He went down the road and called the Bartow County Sheriff's Office and RFC Byron Young to assist. Sgt. Barr returned to the address and parked on an adjacent driveway. He spoke to one of the two men who admitted burning wire to remove it's covering to then be taken to the recycling center for money. Bartow Co. Sheriff's Office and RFC Byron Young arrived to assist. Sgt. Barr and RFC Young obtained written consent to search the house, truck, outbuildings and property. Sgt. Barr recognized one of the men as a suspect in local thefts and drug activity. The Bartow County Deputy contacted a special investigator who had also had contact with the man about theft of wire in the immediate community. Bartow Co. Investigator Jonathan Rogers radioed in and soon arrived at the scene. Sgt. Barr and RFC Young located the wire being burned and noticed it had been freshly cut on the ends of the wire. Sgt. Barr and RFC Young also located multiple sets of cutting tools and over 15 TV remote control units with the batteries removed. Batteries contain an element used in the making of meth. Investigator Rogers and Sgt. Barr entered the house with one of the men and soon discovered drug paraphernalia including hypodermic needles and suspected felony drugs. Both suspects were read their Miranda rights. The main suspect showed needle tracks along his arms. Both men were interviewed and arrested for unlawful dumping (felony wire burning for economic gain) and violation of Georgia controlled substance act (felony). Both suspects were arrested and taken to the Bartow Co. jail. 
On July 4th, Cpl. Dave Phillips received a call from Cherokee 911 that a female had been in a boating incident, fallen in the water, was unconscious, and had stopped breathing. Cpl. Phillips immediately responded to the area of Illinois Creek. He located the girl who had recovered breathing. Cpl. Phillips was alone as his partner was transporting an intoxicated boater to jail. Cpl. Phillips obtained the help of nearby boaters and loaded the girl and the operator of the jet ski she was on in his patrol boat and took them to Bartow Carver Park. Sgt. Mike Barr and Cpl. Chip Cox met him there. Bartow Co EMS arrived to assist and check the girl for injuries. Her boyfriend who had been operating the Jet Ski was not injured. The Rangers detected a strong odor of alcohol on both subjects. EMS determined that the girl was not injured, but had consumed a lot of alcohol. She was released. The boyfriend was checked for impairment and determined to be under the influence of alcohol. He was charged with boating under the influence and was determined to be two times over the legal limit. He was arrested by Cpl. Chip Cox and transported to the Bartow Co. jail. 
 
 On July 4th, RFC Byron Young and Ranger James Psillis assisted the Bartow County Fire and Rescue with putting out a woods fire located near "the narrows" on Lake Allatoona. Bartow County Fire brought their pump boat and pumped water from the lake on the fire, which had spread over an acre area. It is suspected fireworks shot from a passing boat started the fire. 
On July 4th, Cpl. Chip Cox received a call from the State Operations Center about a boat that had its canopy top set on fire by fireworks. Approximately 2000 boats had gathered near the Atlanta Yacht Club for the yearly permitted fireworks show. An individual not associated with the fireworks show had made his own fireworks and was setting them off from an adjacent shore. The fireworks were homemade and not permitted to be set off. One such firework blew up and sent parts, which were on fire in several directions. It hit the top of a large cabin cruiser and set the top on fire causing in excess of $2000.00 damage. Cpl. Chip Cox is investigating the incident with the assistance of the ATF. 
On July 5th, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Dave Phillips, RFC Bart Hendrix, Cpl. Chip Cox, RFC Byron Young, Ranger James Psillis, and Ranger Brad Hamby worked a concentrated patrol with the Bartow Co. Drug Task Force and K-9 unit. Bartow Co. Officers Mark Mayton, Chris Day, and his K-9 dog teamed up with DNR for a special detail to stop alcohol and drug use in and around Illinois Creek. Over 18 citations were issued for boating violations, one BUI arrest was made, and numerous boats were inspected for safety equipment and drug detection. 
CHEROKEE COUNTY On July 4th, Cpl. Dave Phillips and RFC Bart Hendrix encountered a pontoon in Cherokee County on Lake Allatoona that had a person riding in front of the barrier of the boat. The boat was stopped and a safety check completed. The odor of alcohol was detected and the officers observed signs of impairment. RFC Bart Hendrix completed a series of field sobriety exercises to determine if the operator was intoxicated. The operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol was arrested and transported to the Cherokee County jail where he was charged with boating under the influence of alcohol. 
FULTON COUNTY On July 6th, Cpl. Ricky Dempsey, RFC Chad Cox, and Wildlife Tech. Daniel Grey patrolled the Chattahoochee River in North Fulton County. They made several contacts with individuals without PFDs. They also had contact with two individuals who had over the legal limit of trout. Together the subjects had 32 trout in their possession. They were both charged and the fish were confiscated. 
GILMER COUNTY On July 5th, Cpl. James Keener was returning home from patrolling Lake Blue Ridge when he received radio traffic requesting assistance in Ellijay regarding a suspect who had stabbed two other people. While patrolling the immediate area, Cpl. Keener observed the wanted suspect adjacent to a wooded area and arrested the suspect without incident. 
 
 The suspect was turned over to Gilmer County authorities and charged with armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated battery along with other charges. 
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
MADISON COUNTY On July 1st, Sgt Stan Elrod and RFC Shane Sartor worked a fishing without permission complaint in Madison County on Sheriff Clayton Lowe's pond. Elrod and Sartor checked the property about 10:00 p.m and caught a subject fishing. This subject was caught two years earlier fishing without permission in the sheriff's pond. The subject was arrested and charged with fishing without permission, pills not in original container, and four felony counts of schedule III and IV pills. He also had a probation warrant for not paying his previous fines for the first time he was caught trespassing at the Sheriff's pond. 
Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
BURKE COUNTY On July 7th, Sgt. Max Boswell and RFC Jeff Billips were patrolling East Burke County when they received a complaint through the Burke County Sheriff's office of possible illegal diving in the Savannah River on Yuchi WMA. The officers located two divers and observed them until they returned to their boat. The divers, both from Columbia County, were in possession of illegal items. Both subjects were cited and released. 
Sgt. Max Boswell and RFC Jeff Billips received a complaint of hunting deer out of season. They met the complainant who described the violator as a Hispanic male hunting in a deer stand with a shotgun. The officers were unable to locate the subject but received information on a possible suspect. 
On July 7th, RFC Billips returned to the area and located the suspect, who through an interpreter, admitted to hunting deer out of season. The complainant gave a positive identification of the suspect. 
LINCOLN/MCDUFFIE COUNTY On July 3rd, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, Cpl. Ryan Swain, Rfc. Brian Adams, Rfc. Leroy Ficklin, Rfc. Bobby Timmerman, and Tech. Mark Patterson conducted boating safety patrols on Clarks Hill Lake for the Raysville fireworks show. Cpl. Hobbins and RFC Adams each arrested subjects for boating under the influence. Several other citations and warnings were written for boating safety violations at the show. 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY On July 5th, Capt. Thomas Barnard, RFC Brian Adams, RFC Bobby Timmerman, and Tech. Mark Patterson conducted boating safety patrols on Clarks Hill Lake for the Little River fireworks show. RFC Timmerman arrested a subject for boating under the influence. Several other citations and warnings were written for boating safety violations at the show. 
LINCOLN COUNTY On July 5th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Leroy Ficklin, conducted boating safety patrols on Clarks Hill Lake for the Thunder over Thurmond fireworks show. Several citations and warnings were written for boating safety violations at the show. The officers also investigated a boat incident in which a boat ran aground in Soap Creek. 
On July 5th and 6th, Cpl. Ryan Swain investigated two separate boating incidents that occurred on Clarks Hill Lake. The first incident occurred near Tradewinds Marina. An individual received lacerations and bruising from a ski rope. The second incident occurred in Soap Creek. A ski boat ran aground on an island after dark. The operator was charged with failure to regulate speed. 
GREENE COUNTY/ LAKE OCONEE DNR Law Enforcement had four boats and a total of eight rangers patrolling Lake Oconee over the holiday weekend in an effort to speed up response time to citizen complaints and cover the amount of high boat traffic. Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner investigated one boating incident following a fireworks display at Great Waters on July 4th, no injuries reported. Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Phillip Nelson made one BUI case at midnight on July 4th. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
PUTNAM COUNTY During the weekend of July 4th, Rangers in the Lake Sinclair work section patrolled Lake Sinclair for boating activity. Two boating incidents were investigated (one jet ski fire, one skiing injury) and one person was arrested for boating under the influence. Several boaters were also stopped for operating at night without lights/improper lights. 
BUTTS COUNTY On June 7th, RFC Keith Page and Cpl. Tony Wynne encountered a pontoon boat on Lake Jackson that was violating a "no wake" zone. After stopping the vessel the vessel operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The subject failed all field sobriety exercises and was placed under arrest for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. 
 
 On July 4th, after receiving several complaints about a jet ski operator doing flips and high jumps on Lake Jackson in a heavy traffic area, RFC Wil Smith and Cpl. Dennis Gore set up a sting operation to observe the subject. The subject was observed doing three jumps approximately ten feet out of the water and flips. The subject was issued a citation for Reckless Operation of a Vessel. 
FAYETTE COUNTY On July 4th, Sgt. Russ Ramsey, RFC Travis Sweat, Ranger Adam Jacobs, and Deputy Ranger Joe Sebo patrolled Lake Peachtree for boating activity. During this shift Rangers documented 14 safety violations and escorted/towed numerous patrons of the lake with vessel issues back to the safety of their home dock. These efforts made for a safe incident free July 4th on Lake Peachtree. 
Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
SEMINOLE COUNTY On July 4th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC David Brady stopped a vessel on Lake Seminole for violating a " No Wake" zone. The vessel operator was transported to the Seminole County Jail where he was charged for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and failure to obey a regulatory marker. 
DECATUR COUNTY On July 4th, RFC Tony Cox and Technician John Adams stopped a vessel on the Flint River for operating without running lights at night. The vessel operator, a 16-year-old juvenile, was transported to the Decatur County Jail where he was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. He was released to the custody of his parents. 
CRISP COUNTY On July 4th, while patrolling Lake Blackshear, RFC Clint Martin and RFC Jon Penuel witnessed a jet ski violate the no wake zone in Boy Scout Slough. After failing field sobriety exercises the operator of the jet ski was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence and failure to obey regulatory markers. 
SUMTER COUNTY On July 4th, while patrolling Lake Blackshear, RFC Clint Martin and RFC Jon Penuel witnessed a boat operating at a high rate of speed as it passed underneath the Hwy 280 Bridge. The vessel was stopped and the operator of the vessel was issued a citation for operating a vessel within 100 feet of an object above idle speed. 
 
 CRISP COUNTY On July 4th, at about 11:00 pm, Cpl. John Harkins and RFC Harold Hill were patrolling Lake Blackshear when they observed a pontoon boat operating without navigation lights. The operator was given sobriety exercises, which he failed. He was arrested and charged with boating under the influence, child endangerment (two children under the age of 14 were on board the boat) and operating a vessel without lights during the hours of darkness. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
LAURENS COUNTY On July 5th, RFC Rodney Horne and Cpl Johnny Ashe were working at the "Redneck Games" in East Dublin. The officers observed several subjects in the water who were drinking alcohol and throwing their empty cans into the river and onto the opposite river bank. Cpl. Ashe waded out to the subjects and RFC Horne issued them citations for littering. 
Also during the games, Cpl. Ashe and RFC Horne responded to an emergency on the Oconee River at the Buckeye landing. Across the river was a rope swing tied to a tree and many people were swinging out over the river. An 11-year-old boy got caught in the rope as he jumped from the tree and completely severed his right arm. RFC Horne and Cpl Ashe retrieved the young boy from the opposite side of the river and attempted to control the bleeding while carrying him across the river to waiting EMT's. The young boy is currently stable and doing well at the hospital. 
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On July 5th, RFC Barry Britt and RFC James McLaughlin worked a surveillance detail at the Rocky Hammock river landing. One adult male was charged with driving under the influence after he was observed operating an ATV and truck while consuming alcoholic beverages. He was turned over to the Jeff Davis Sheriff's Office. 
WHEELER COUNTY On July 4th, RFC James McLaughlin received a call from a Wheeler County deputy in reference to illegal hunting. Upon arriving at the scene and talking with the caretaker of the property, it was determined that three individuals were on the property hunting hogs without permission. The three subjects were issued citations for hunting hogs without permission. 
BULLOCH COUNTY On the night of July 2nd, Cpl Eddie Akins was called at home and advised that two fishermen had launched a boat on the Ogeechee River at Williams Landing that afternoon and had failed to reach their destination at Oliver Bridge before nightfall. He notified Sgt. William Vickers and both officers responded to the request for assistance from the family of one of the fishermen. While en route to the Oliver Bridge the officers were able to get the cell phone number for one of the fishermen from the family. Sgt Vickers used 
 
 his personal cell phone to make contact with the missing fishermen to find out their condition and location. After making contact with them it was estimated that they were probably a short distance above Oliver Bridge. They were without flashlights and due to low water conditions they were walking the channel of the river dragging their boat. Upon arrival at the bridge, Sgt. Vickers reestablished contact by cell phone and activated his vehicle's siren. The fisherman said he could hear the siren and they were continuing toward the bridge. After the arrival of Cpl. Akins and family members the two overdue fishermen eventually reached the landing, ending their eight-hour trek on the Ogeechee River. 
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 4th and 5th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and RFC Danielle Partin worked on the Savannah River covering the area towards the lower end of the Effingham County line and Abercorn Creek area. Boating activity was minimal on both afternoons, with less than fifteen boats being observed on the water both days. The night of July 4th had even less activity with only a couple of boats encountered that night. No violations were noted during the patrols. 
On July 5th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Dave Sims responded to a reported drowning of a 62-year-old man. His body was found in a private pond near his home after he failed to return home. DNR Rangers and the Effingham County Sheriff's Office assisted with the body recovery and initial investigation. The Effingham County Coroner's Office and Savannah GBI Crime Laboratory are conducting further forensic investigation. At this time exact cause of death is undetermined, but foul play is not suspected. 
EVANS COUNTY On July 2nd, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Evans PFA for activity. One warning was issued for operating a vessel with expired registration. 
On July 6th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked activity on the Evans PFA and one warning was issued for fishing without a WMA stamp. 
On July 7th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating on the Evans PFA. Two warnings were issued for fishing without a license and fishing with more than 2 poles and line. 
CHARLTON COUNTY On July 4th and July 5th, in response to citizen complaints on boaters operating above idle speed within 100'of landings and anchored vessels on the St. Mary's River, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl. Gary Simmons and RFC Brad Cox conducted concentrated boating patrols from Trader's Hill to Camp Pinckney landings. Several citations and written warnings were issued for violations of the 100' rule, in addition to insufficient PFD's and fishing license violations. Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission and Charlton County Sheriff's Marine Patrol officers worked in conjunction with the DNR officers throughout the weekend. 
 
 ECHOLS COUNTY On July 5th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree received a citizen report of dead fish in the Alapahaoochee River at the Ga. Highway 135 Bridge. That afternoon, Sgt. Dupree confirmed the fish kill and reported it through the State Operations Center. Fisheries personnel responded immediately and began an investigation, including taking water samples. Currently, the exact source of the contamination is still under investigation by the Law Enforcement & Fisheries Sections and the Environmental Protection Division. 
APPLING COUNTY Sgt. David Reckley, Cpl. John A. Stokes & Ranger Chase Altman patrolled Lake Mayers on July 4th, and issued 2 warnings for operating a PWC within 100 ft. of object or shore above idle speed & 2 cases for towing a skier on a PWC w/o observer onboard. 
On July 5th, Sgt. David Reckley, Cpl. John A. Stokes & Ranger Chase Altman checked Carters Bight landing on the Altamaha River for boating safety enforcement. Four warnings were written for operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs, operating a PWC without a PFD, allowing underage child to ride in vessel without PFD, and allowing a person to ride the bow/gunwale. Two cases were made for operating a vessel without a registration and operating with insufficient PFDs. 
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
BRYAN COUNTY On July 4th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on saltwater patrol and cited an individual for operating a vessel with insufficient life jackets. 
On July 5th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller were patrolling the Ogeechee River near Kings Ferry. Later on that evening RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Jay Morgan were at Kings Ferry. Between the rangers, 4 individuals were cited for failure to obey regulatory markers. 
CHATHAM COUNTY On July 5th, Ranger Justin Heyward investigated two separate boating accidents; one on Wassaw Sound and the other on Ossabaw Sound. The 17-foot vessel in Wassaw Sound became swamped. The 15-foot vessel in Ossabaw Sound sank and was not recovered. There were no injuries in either accident. 
GLYNN COUNTY On June 30th - July 2nd, RFC Mark Carson, Cpl Ron Harris, Sgt. Bob Lynn, Cpl. Jesse Cook, and RFC Craig Smith presented a boating safety information and education program for beach week, along with the Coastal Resources Division, at East Beach on St Simmons Island and on Jekyll Island 
 
 On July 4th, while patrolling Jekyll River, Sgt. Bob Lynn, Cpl. Jesse Cook, and RFC Mark Carson assisted four people stranded in a boat that was stuck on a mud flat. 
On July 4th, Cpl Jesse Cook and RFC Mark Carson provided water security for Fireworks show at the St Simon's Pier. 
On July 5th, while patrolling Dike Rd checking fishing activity, RFC Mark Carson and RFC Craig Smith checked two men throwing a cast net for shrimp. Both men were cited for fishing without a license. One of the men had a warrant from Glynn County. He was arrested and taken to the Glynn County Jail. 
On July 5th, RFC Mark Carson and RFC Craig Smith responded to a distressed boater that had people in the water. With a fast approaching thunderstorm and four-foot waves in the Brunswick River, they were able to locate the boat and safely rescue all individuals involved. The passengers (3 kids and 3 adults) were taken to the Brunswick DNR Office while the storm passed. Sea Tow took the vessel to Blythe Island Park. 
On July 6th, Cpl. Jesse Cook and RFC Mark Carson checked the fishing licenses of two individuals on Turtle River below the Highway 303 Bridge. One of the subjects acted in a strange manner as the two officers checked their licenses and safety equipment. After departing the scene, the officers ran the subject through GCIC and found that he was wanted out of Florida for domestic violence and battery and was also prohibited from possessing any type of firearm or weapons. However, the warrant also stated that he would only be extradited from locations in the state of Florida. The two officers took no actions.