Field operations weekly report, 2008 August 3-9

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report August 3-9, 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)
FLOYD COUNTY On the evening of August 2nd, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, Ranger Brad Hamby, and W/L Technician Mark Moyer did a walk through detail along Johns Creek campsites. Shortly after midnight on Sunday, August 3rd, the officers came upon a campsite that was playing loud music long after the 10:00 PM quiet hour. A Dalton man in this campsite was found to be in possession of less than 1 oz. of marijuana. He was transported to the Floyd County Jail and charged with VGCSA, and violation of quiet hours on WMA.
During the same detail, while Ranger Hamby waited for a transport unit, W/L Technician Moyer and Cpl. Elmore entered another campsite after W/L Technician Moyer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming form the campsite. Two 13 year-old males were sitting near a campfire. After waking up the intoxicated father of one of the teens, Cpl. Elmore located a small amount of marijuana in the pocket of one of the teens. The teens were advised to go to bed and were turned over to an adult.
While waiting on a transport unit from Floyd County, Cpl. Elmore received a call from Floyd County E911 at 12:30 am, who told him about a stranded boater at Brushy Branch off the Coosa River. Cpl. Elmore, Ranger Hamby, and RFC Ben Cunningham responded to Brushy Branch and located 7 people stranded. The vessel owner advised he had run out of gas. The group was taken back to the boat ramp two at a time and the vessel was then towed to a safe location.
On August 9th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Ranger Brad Hamby setup the archery equipment for the Floyd County NWTF Chapter Jakes' Event held at the Floyd County Wildlife Association. Approximately 50 kids participated in the event, many shooting a bow and arrow for the first time. The officers stressed the importance of safe handling of the archery equipment
On August 7th, personnel from Region 1 Law Enforcement, Game Management, Fisheries Management, and WRD Headquarters staff attended the public meeting held in Lindale to discuss the current state licensing issue. Approximately 25 citizens attended voicing their concerns and ideas.
GORDON COUNTY On August 7th, W/L Technician Mark Moyer and Cpl. Shawn Elmore obtained a warrant for an Adairsville man for littering after he left several beer bottles in a campsite at Hidden Creek on Johns Mountain WMA after being told to pick up his trash. The littering occurred on August 2nd.

MURRAY COUNTY On August 6th, Cpl. Casey Jones arrested a Gilmer County man for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possession of tools of a crime, possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime and theft by receiving stolen property. Cpl. Jones spotted a vehicle occupied by two white males parked along side of the road and stopped to see if assistance was needed. As Cpl. Jones was talking with the two men he spotted a glass smoking pipe sticking out from underneath the passenger's leg. Cpl. Jones had the subjects exit the vehicle and gained consent from the owner and passenger to search them and the vehicle. The search yielded a glass pipe containing methamphetamine and a stolen .380 Beretta pistol.
On August 8th, Cpl. Casey Jones arrested a Murray County woman who was wanted for probation violations out of Whitfield County. The woman's probation officer approached Cpl. Jones earlier in the day and asked him if he would be on the look out for her due to the fact that the suspect lived near him. At approximately 5:00 PM, Cpl. Jones was pulling into his driveway about to go off duty when he observed the suspect turn off Hwy 411 into her driveway. Cpl. Jones pulled in behind the woman, activated his blue lights and stopped the vehicle. After talking with the woman Cpl. Jones made a positive ID on her and made the arrest. Cpl. Jones also charged the woman for driving on a suspended license
On August 9th, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. Casey Jones, RFC Eddie Tompkins, and Wildlife Technician Joe Hill worked details on Cohutta and Coosawattee WMAs. The officer's issued five citations for littering, three for traffic offenses, one for under the influence of alcohol on a WMA, and one for public indecency. Two suspects were arrested and booked into the Murray County Detention Center.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FORSYTH COUNTY On August 9th, Ranger Pamela Garrison and Cpl. Jason Roberson went to Bald Ridge Marina on Lake Lanier to investigate a boating incident where a subject's leg was cut on the prop of a boat. Also, during the course of this day these two rangers arrested three individuals for boating under the influence.
On August 9th, Cpl. Sanders was checking fishermen on the Chattahoochee River in the artificial only zone. Cpl. Sanders encountered a man that complained about a father and son that were fishing with bait and chased him off because he was fishing near them on an earlier date. He informed Cpl. Sanders that their vehicle was parked on the side of the road. Cpl. Sanders located the father and son who were fishing with bait and were over the limit of trout. Cpl. Sanders also found a Tic-Tac container filled with marijuana and a wooden pipe on the father. Both subjects were charged with several fishing violations and the father was charged with possession of marijuana.

HALL COUNTY On August 9th, Cpl. Tim Vickery and Sgt. Lee Brown were notified by the State Operations Center (SOC) that a turtle had been caught in the trap set for the alligator that has been spotted on Lake Lanier. These rangers released the turtle and reset the trap.
Later on this date SOC notified Cpl. Vickery and Sgt. Brown of a boating accident and that the victim had been transported to Northeast Regional Hospital in Gainesville. The rangers went to the hospital and interviewed the father of the juvenile that was injured. The juvenile and her father were tubing and hit a large wake that bounced them out of the tube and inured the juveniles back.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On August 6th, Cpl. Sanders and Colonel Terry West did a TV interview with Channel 2 News on the duties of a Conservation Ranger and how the gas restriction is affecting our job.
On August 7th, Cpl. Sanders held a Hunter Education review class and test. Cpl. Sanders had Rockdale TV 23 to tape the class to be shown to the public on cable TV.
UNION COUNTY On August 8th, RFC David Webb and RFC Kevin Dyer worked a boating incident in which a 10-year-old boy suffered head lacerations after he collided with a dock while he was riding a kneeboard and being towed by a PWC.
On August 9th, RFC Kevin Dyer, USFS Law Enforcement Officer Jason Arrowood, and members of the Union County Sheriff's Office arrested 2 subjects for possession of marijuana in the area of the Rock Cliffs on Nottely Lake.
On August 9th, RFC Kevin Dyer and RFC David Webb assisted Union County EMS with the search and recovery of a missing 11-year-old boy that had gotten lost just before dark around Lake Winfield Scott. The boy was found on the Appalachian Trail on Blood Mountain by a hiker and was returned to his parents safely and unharmed.
WHITE COUNTY On August 8th, RFC Anne Alexander investigated an unlawful burning complaint in Cleveland in which a male subject had been burning wire and other metals. Also, while there RFC Alexander noticed a female subject that exhibited signs of drug usage and called the Appalachian Drug Task Force for assistance. The female subject had a warrant out of Helen, Georgia and was transported to the Helen Detention Center. The male subject was charged for unlawful burning of waste and also warned for possession of game without a game holder's license and not having a quail breeder's license.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY
On August 3rd, Cpl. Ben Payne performed 3 hull identification inspections in Richmond County. He also patrolled the chalk mine area for violations. Payne checked several fishing licenses at the Lock and Dam.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On August 9th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins assisted the Sheriff's office with a search for an aggravated assault suspect. The house and surrounding area was searched. The suspect has not been located.
ELBERT COUNTY On August 10th, Corporals Julian Wilkins and Greg Colson assisted Elbert County Sheriff's office apprehend 2 burglary suspects who had fled into the woods.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
PUTNAM COUNTY On August 8th, at approximately 9:56 pm, RFC Chad Welch and Cpl. Stan Semmler stopped a vessel on Lake Sinclair at Cedar Creek for a stern light violation. While speaking with the operator of the pontoon boat, RFC Welch could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the operator of the boat. RFC Welch conducted field sobriety and placed the operator under arrest for operating a vessel under the influence. After the state administered chemical test was performed at the DNR boathouse, the operator was transported to the Putnam County Jail.
On August 9th, at approximately 10:50 pm, Sgt. Bo Kelly and Cpl. Stan Semmler made contact with a vessel on Lake Sinclair up the Oconee River. The operator of the vessel was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was transported to the DNR boathouse for additional test. The operator of the vessel was charged with operating a vessel under the influence and transported to the Putnam County Jail.
On August 9th, at approximately 11:45 pm, Cpl. Bill Goodson and RFC Chad Welch were patrolling the Junction Area of Lake Sinclair when RFC Welch noticed a vessel with no visible stern light traveling up the left side of the lake violating the rules of the road. RFC Welch witnessed a bass boat heading the opposite direction almost run into the vessel with no stern light visible. RFC Welch and Cpl. Goodson stopped the vessel with no visible stern light and witnessed the operator of the vessel swap seats with a female passenger as RFC Welch initiated the blue lights. RFC Welch made contact with the initial operator of the vessel and noticed visible impairment as well as a strong odor of alcohol coming from the operator. Field sobriety was conducted and the operator was placed under arrest for operating a vessel under the influence. After the state

administered chemical test was performed at the DNR boathouse, the operator was transported to the Putnam County Jail.
BALDWIN COUNTY On August 9th, at approximately 6:20 pm, Sgt. Bo Kelly and Cpl. Stan Semmler were patrolling Lake Sinclair headed towards the DNR boathouse when a subject on an inner tube traveling the same direction, turned and exposed himself to the two rangers. The vessel was stopped and contact was made with the tuber as well as the vessel operator. Field sobriety exercises were conducted on the operator of the vessel and he was transported to the DNR boathouse where he was tested on the Intox-5000. The test results indicated that the operator was twice the legal limit and was transported to the Baldwin County Jail.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Jeremy Bolen presented an educational program on live television. The program covered the rising fuel prices and it's affect on the upcoming hunting season.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
TIFT COUNTY On August 9th, Corporal Tommy Daughtrey was investigating an area for night deer hunting activity when he heard Tift County 911 dispatch rescue personnel to an overturned automobile accident near his location. Upon arrival he assisted rescue personnel with the extraction of the trapped and severely injured driver from the vehicle.
CLAY COUNTY On August 9th, while conducting a boating safety patrol on lake Walter F. George, RFC Jim Atchley and Sgt. Ellis Wynn arrested an individual for operating a vessel under the influence and operating without lights.
CRISP COUNTY On August 9th, while conducting a boating safety patrol on Lake Blackshear, Cpl. John Harkins and Cpl. Tommy Lawrence observed a jet ski speeding through an idle zone. As the two officers attempted to stop the vessel it turned and fled at a high rate of speed. The operator of the jet ski then struck another vessel as he beached his jet ski and attempted to elude the officers on foot. The officers beached their patrol boat and continued the pursuit, arresting the operator of the jet ski and charging him with boating under the influence along with five other charges. Additionally, a warrant was issued for the operator for thief by receiving stolen property and misdemeanor obstruction of an officer.

DOUGHERTY COUNTY On August 4th, 911 communications notified Sgt. Danny Bishop about the drowning of two individuals on the Flint River in Albany. Sgt. Bishop along with Cpl. Robbie Griner and Ranger Randy James responded to the scene and assisted the Dougherty County Rescue squad along with the Lee County Rescue and Dive team. One of the victims was recovered from the river that evening.
On August 5th, Cpl. Griner and Sgt. Bishop returned to the scene of the drowning and assisted the Albany Fire Dept. along with the Dougherty County Rescue squad. The body of the second victim was recovered mid-morning.
DECATUR COUNTY On August 6th, RFC Tony Cox and RFC Jeff Phillips were on patrol in Decatur County when they spotted a black plume of smoke near Bainbridge. Working their way to the source of the smoke, they located a subject burning copper wire behind his home. The subject was charged with unlawful burning.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On August 8th, RFC Jeff Phillips was conducting a boat patrol on Lake Seminole when he apprehended two subjects taking over the creel limit of bream. Both subjects were charged with taking over the limit, and 138 bream were confiscated.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
COFFEE COUNTY On August 5th, RFC Joe Hilton assisted the Governor's Task Force on Drug Suppression by acting as an aerial observer. Acting on a hunch he led the pilot to a remote area and then spotted several plots of marijuana. The ground crew moved in and confiscated around 500 plants scattered throughout the woods and arrested a suspect.
LOWNDES COUNTY On August 9th, Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Morty Wood, Cpl. Greg Moody, and Ranger Keith McDonald utilized the Laser Shot system at the annual NRA Banquet in Lowndes County. All participants enjoyed the shooting experience. The officers used a casual method of spreading out and intermingling with the 200 plus guests while offering answers to hunting, fishing, and boating laws and regulations.
BULLOCH COUNTY On August 10th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Sgt. William Vickers apprehended two subjects riding ATVs on Oliver Bridge WMA. Both were given written warnings for operation of ATV on closed WMA. The ATV operators were also given the new hunting regulation booklets that contained regulations pertaining to operation of ATVs on a WMA.

On August 4th, Cpl. Eddie Akins, Sgt. William Vickers and Ranger Brandon Pierce met with members of Mill Branch Hunting Club. The topic of discussion was deer dogging laws and permit issues from last hunting season. The meeting went well with an open discussion about the enforcement of deer dogging laws and the protocol for how officers handle complaints that are related to deer dogging.
On August 7th, Cpl. Eddie Akins gave a presentation to the policy and law class at Ogeechee Technical College. The presentation covered the hiring process, game and fish laws and boating safety laws.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On August 17th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Dave Sims patrolled sections of the Savannah River and Ebenezer Creek. The Rangers checked several boats and issued verbal guidance and warnings for minor infractions.
EVANS COUNTY On August 4th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity at Evans County public fishing area. Two warnings were written for operating a vessel with expired registration and operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs. The operator was given a registration form and advised how to obtain a registration for the vessel.
CHARLTON COUNTY On August 3rd, Cpl. Gary Simmons assisted US Fish & Wildlife Service personnel with the search for an over-due boater in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Gary flew with Georgia State Patrol's aviation unit during day & night helicopter flights of the area. The boater was located on Monday morning by USFWS personnel and volunteers. He was suffering from dehydration.
On August 9th, Cpl. Gary Simmons received a call from State Operations Center in reference to two subjects fishing without permission. Cpl. Simmons apprehended the two subjects and charged both with fishing without permission.
WARE COUNTY On August 7th, Cpl. Gary Simmons received a report from Ware County Sheriff's office about unlawful dumping. An individual was burning insulation off copper wire to sell the metal. The subject was charged with a felony for unlawful dumping due to the commercial nature of the violation.
PIERCE COUNTY On August 6th, Corporal Damon Winters assisted the Pierce County Sheriff's office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Governor's Task Force with the seizure of 4,944 marijuana plants near the Satilla River. The seizure was the culmination of nearly two weeks of surveillance by Corporal Winters, RFC Brad Cox, Ranger Chase Altman, Pierce County deputies, GBI & GSP agents and US DEA. The illegal operation is currently under investigation with arrests pending.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
WAYNE COUNTY On August 6th, RFC Randy Aspinwall and Cpl. Bobby White responded to two late boaters on the Altamaha River. After locating both boats they assisted them back to the landing.
CAMDEN COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Craig Smith and Cpl. Chris Hodge were on the north end of Camden County when they noticed a house that had smoke coming from the roof. The Rangers notified Camden 911. The owner of the house, who was in the house when the fire started, was already outside. Once the fire Department arrived the rangers assisted in fighting fire.
On August 9th at approximately 3:40 am, while working a night hunting complaint in Camden County, Cpl. Jesse Cook observed a vehicle shining a spotlight in the area of some cleared property. After Cpl Cook initiated a traffic stop and found that the occupants were in possession of a .22 magnum rifle and a Q-Beam spotlight. Cpl Cook cited the subjects for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting from a public road.
CAMDEN/CHARLTON COUNTIES On August 9th, Cpl. Chris Hodge and RFC Craig Smith from Region VII worked with Cpl. Gary Simmons from Region VI on a joint complaint about violations in a no wake zone and reckless operation on the Satilla River at the Burnt Fort area. Three subjects were cited for various violations.
LIBERTY COUNTY On August 8th, Ranger Randy Tinley, RFC Isaac Strickland, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Cpl. Cindy Miller checked crab houses in Liberty County. Two individuals were cited for possession of undersized crabs from two different facilities.
BRYAN COUNTY On August 9th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on saltwater patrol in the St. Catherine's Sound area. Approximately 30 boats were checked throughout the day. One individual was cited for possession of undersized fish. 11 fish were confiscated ranging from spotted seatrout, spottail bass, and whiting.