Field operations weekly report, 2009 May 10-16

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 10-16, 2009
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 16th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway and Cpl. Tommy Gentry assisted Chattooga Co with a search for a missing person. The missing person was last seen on Friday around 5:00 pm riding an ATV. The family thought the subject may be in the Dunwoody Gap area of John's Mountain. Sgt Galloway and Cpl Gentry were able to follow the missing person's ATV tracks and located the body of the missing person. He had apparently committed suicide.
DADE COUNTY On May 13th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway, W/L Tech Tim Gilbreath and W/L Tech Josh Aldridge presented a series of Wildlife Identification Programs during the Middle School's Agriculture Day Event in Dade County. About 300 Per-K thru 2nd grade students and their teachers attended these programs.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 13th, Cpl. Jason Roberson responded to call for assistance on Lake Lanier. Two subjects were floating on a piece of Styrofoam well after dark. Cpl. Roberson was in his patrol vessel enroute when the subjects were rescued safely by the Forsyth County Fire Department
On May 15th, Sgt. Lee Brown presented an I & E program to his son's kindergarten class at Matt Elementary School. Sgt. Brown talked about wild turkeys and endangered species.
Also, on this day RFC Mark Stephens and RFC Pamela Shelton presented Boating Safety programs to four different classes at Matt Elementary School.
On May 16th, Cpl. Tim Vickery and RFC Mark Stephens were patrolling Lake Lanier when SOC called and advised them that the Georgia State Patrol needed assistance at GA Hwy 400 and Bald Ridge Creek. The State Troopers had three male subjects run from them that had wrecked a stolen car. The rangers picked up two Forsyth Deputies by boat and they search up Bald Ridge Creek to GA 400 with no success in finding the three subjects that ran from the State Troopers.
JASPER COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Mark Stephens went to Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center to assist with the annual JAKES Day event.

WHITE COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Anne Alexander, RFC Chad Chambers, Sgt. Steve Seitz, Wildlife Technician Frank Manning and members of the Chattahoochee Bass Club held the 23rd Annual Handicapped fishing event at Anna Ruby Falls. Cpl. Buddy Lovell also attended the event. There were approximately 80 participants and chaperones that attended the event. Every participant that fished was able to catch rainbow and brown trout to take home with him or her. Trophies and prizes were given out to the participants.
MADISON COUNTY On May 10th-12th, Sgt. Stan Elrod and Lt. Judd Smith participated in the Police Unity Tour in Washington, DC. The tour raises money to maintain the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum in Washington. The tour is a 250-mile, 3 day bicycle ride from Portsmouth, Virginia to Washington, DC. This year GA DNR Ranger William Hobbs, who was killed while on duty in 1967, was added to the names of over 18,000 other officers killed in the line of duty.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
NEWTON COUNTY On May 16th, Corporal Julian Wilkins and Corporal Greg Colson assisted with the Jakes Day program at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. They provided boat rides for kids in attendance.
ELBERT COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Nick Jenkins and Sergeant Brian Carter assisted the Corps of Engineers and South Carolina DNR with a kids fishing derby on Lake Russell.
On May 14th, Corporal Julian Wilkins was checking a fishing without permission complaint in Elbert County. Corporal Wilkins apprehended 2 subjects who had caught 31 bass. Both subjects were charged with fishing without permission.
GREENE COUNTY / LAKE OCONEE The United States Secret Service requested DNR assistance when former President George Bush came to Reynolds Plantation for a speaking engagement. On May 18th, Sgt. Matt Garthright and Cpl. David Allen escorted President Bush's vessel around the lake while he participated in several outdoor activities. On May 19th, Sgt. Garthright and RFC Richard Tanner provided water security for the detail at Reynolds Plantation.
RICHMOND COUNTY On May 16th, RFC's Jeff Billips and Grant Matherly patrolled the Savannah River and Briar Creek in Burke County during a high activity period. RFC's Billips and Matherly met Sgt. Max Boswell and Cpl.'s Ben Payne and Michael Crawley in Augusta for the Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration "Thunder on the River" fireworks detail.

COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 16th, Sgt. Doyte A. Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman conducted a concentrated patrol on Clarks Hill Lake around Mistletoe State Park for boating violations.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On May 11th, Cpl. Brent Railey ended an investigation that started in January regarding a deer shot from the road at night. He obtained 6 arrest warrants for the suspects in Troup County.
On May 16th, Cpl. Brent Railey responded to a complaint of a large turtle in a man's yard. He was an elderly man who was apparently scared of it. Cpl. Railey took the turtle (a plate sized river cooter) to West Point WMA to release it. While at the WMA he assisted Tech Nick Holbrooks in the shop and went to a complainant's house in reference to an unknown noise an animal was making in their back yard. Later that evening he patrolled several boat ramps and behind West Point dam. He checked 18 fishing licenses and one boat. He also assisted a Troup County Deputy with a theft complaint at Pyne Rd Park.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On May 10th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and RFC Jeremy Bolen assisted the Ranger Training Brigade from Ft. Benning with the annual Best Ranger competition. This included a canoe race down the Chattahoochee River. Cpl. Bradfield and RFC Bolen performed water security for this event.
On May 14th, RFC Jeremy Bolen performed a Boating Safety program for the Georgia Power Safety meeting in Columbus.
TROUP COUNTY On May 11th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield attended a hunting and fishing license agent meeting at the Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. There were about 20 officers from throughout the state in attendance at this meeting. Information was shared at the meeting about the new license purchasing system and ways to recruit new agents.
On May 14th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield attended the last session of the mandated customer service training. This training was held in Macon and all of Region 4 Law Enforcement as well as Game Management personnel participated.
BALDWIN COUNTY On May 12th, RFC Chad Welch, Ranger Josh Copelan, Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Cpl. Bill Goodson met at Eagle Ridge Elementary School for Career Day. Several wildlife programs and boating safety programs were conducted.

BIBB COUNTY On May 14th, after leaving customer service training at Lake Tobesofkee, Sgt. Bo Kelly, Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Ranger Josh Copelan witnessed a subject run a red light on Mercer Ave. Sgt. Kelly waited for the light to change and finally caught up with the subject on Pio Nono Ave in Macon. A traffic stop was conducted and Cpl. Stanford made contact with the driver for running the red light and for failure to maintain lane. Cpl. Stanford determined the driver to be under the influence of alcohol and the driver was transported to the Bibb County Jail. At the jail, the driver registered over twice the legal limit for alcohol and was charged with running the red light, failure to maintain lane, open container and DUI. A GCIC check also revealed that the driver was wanted out of California and that they would be on the way to extradite him back to California.
HENRY COUNTY On May 11th, RFC Kevin Godbee received a complaint from the Henry Co. Water Authority of several individuals fishing w/o permission on the Tussahaw Reservoir off Peeksville rd. Upon arrival to the area RFC Godbee observed three individuals on the water authority property. Two of the suspects were fishing and were charged for fishing w/o permission.
JASPER COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Kevin Godbee, Cpl. Wanda Roberts, RFC Travis Sweat and Ranger Adam Jacobs assisted with and conducted programs for the NWTF (Jakes Day) in Jasper County at Charlie Elliot WMA that included the Archery Alley and Electric Mini Boats. The event hosted approximately 1800 men, women and children.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY On May 16th, Cpl. John Harkins and RFC Clint Martin presented a Boating Safety program to students at Georgia Veterans State Park on Lake Blackshear.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On May 16th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Terri Jones investigated a complaint of a subject shooting an alligator near a residence. Following the investigation two subjects were issued warnings for hunting alligators out of season and the alligator was confiscated. They were also advised how to report nuisance alligators in the future.
GRADY COUNTY On May 16th, Cpl. Mike Binion patrolled the Ochlocknee River in Grady County. During the course of the day, he wrote 4 citations for littering and one citation for operating a vessel without PFDs.

LEE COUNTY On May 10th, Ranger Randy James was notified by the 911 center that an unlawful dumping violation had occurred on Murphy Road in Lee County. The person who reported the incident was able to obtain the tag number of the vehicle, which enabled Ranger James to contact the owner of the vehicle. The owner had loaned the vehicle to two other people who used it to dispose of yard debris and household garbage. One of the individuals was charged with illegal dumping, the other, a juvenile was released.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On May 14th, a memorial ceremony was held at the Dougherty County Governmental Building honoring fallen peace officers. DNR honor guard members Cpl. Robbie Griner, Cpl. Scott Carroll, and RFC David Brady participated in the ceremony. Other DNR officers were also in attendance.
On May 16th, RFC Ben Roberts located two individuals hunting turkeys out of season; one hunter was also without a license. Both were cited for the offenses.
BROOKS COUNTY On May 10th, RFC Jon Penuel stopped a vehicle that was being operated in a reckless manner as it left a local boat ramp. After a thorough investigation the subject driving the vehicle was charged with driving under the influence.
On May 15th, RFC Jon Penuel checked boating activity along the Little River, which resulted in two subjects being charged with operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
BAKER COUNTY On May 13th, R.F.C. Randy Davis issued a citation for unlawful dumping to a subject after an investigation into an illegal dumpsite.
COLQUITT COUNTY On May 13th, RFC David Brady met with a landowner in reference to a fishing without permission complaint. After the meeting, RFC Brady went to check a pond on the complainant's property and found five people fishing without permission. Citations were issued for fishing without permission, and one subject was arrested due to an outstanding warrant.
CLAY COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Jim Atchley and Ranger Jack Stripling conducted guided pontoon boat tours to visitors of George T. Bagby State Park located on Lake Walter F. George. The tours were in conjunction with other activities the park sponsored during the Park's Catfish Tournament.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
ECHOLS COUNTY On May 10th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree completed an investigation into the killing of a hen turkey. The hunter stated that he did not see the hen when he shot a gobbler. Sgt. Dupree determined that the hen was unintentionally wounded when struck by several pellets in the abdomen and legs. The hen turkey was seized and a written warning was issued for hunting out of season.
On May 16th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree patrolled the Suwannee River from Fargo to the Florida Line for boating and fishing activity. Several boaters and fishermen were checked resulting in one violation documented for allowing an underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing a PFD and four violations of non-residents fishing without a license.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Barry Britt responded to call of a drifting vessel in the Altamaha River. The vessel had broken loose from a dock on the Oconee River and was turned over to the owner.
BERRIEN COUNTY On May 10th, Cpl. Morty Wood conducted a boating safety patrol on the Alapaha River. Violations of fishing without a license and boating with insufficient P.F.D.'s were documented.
ATKINSON COUNTY On May 13th, Sgt David Nugent and RFC Tim Hutto responded to a complaint of hunting alligator out of season near the Little Satilla River. After a thorough investigation the officers confiscated alligator meat and a nine-foot carcass along with written confessions from two subjects. The violators were issued citations for hunting out of season, possession of illegally taken wildlife, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
BULLOCH COUNTY On May 16th, Cpl. Dave Sims and Sgt. William Vickers patrolled the Ogeechee River for fishing and boating activity. The Rangers checked nine boats and twenty fishermen. Violations were addressed for operating a vessel without registration and non-resident fishing without a license.

EVANS COUNTY On May 13th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing activity on the Canoochee River. Several boats and licenses were checked resulting in one violation for operating a vessel with expired registration.
On May 14th and May 16th, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Canoochee River. Nine boats were checked and 28 licenses resulting in one violation for operating a vessel with expired registration and one violation for operating a vessel with insufficient P.F.D.'s.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 14th, a GSP trooper in Effingham County contacted Sgt. William Vickers. The trooper had stopped a pickup truck and discovered a live gopher tortoise in the bed. Sgt. Vickers responded to the scene and questioned the vehicle's driver. He admitted taking the gopher tortoise from property being logged by his company. Sgt. Vickers advised him of the state and federal laws that protected gopher tortoises. The driver was issued a warning. The gopher tortoise was confiscated and later released in a suitable habitat on state property.
On May 16th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins conducted a boating safety patrol at river landings on both Ogeechee and Savannah Rivers. A total of twenty-five boats and fourteen fishing licenses were inspected. One violation of operating a vessel with improper PFD's was documented along with verbal guidance for boat registration and boating safety equipment violations.
On May 18th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Sgt. William Vickers presented two educational programs to 7th and 5th graders on endangered and protected species. The officers displayed a confiscated gopher tortoise as part of the program. A total of approximately twenty-four students attended.
APPLING COUNTY On May 13th, Ranger Altman ended a week long investigation on littering by issuing a citation for the violation. Also one other citation was issued for littering to another subject.
On May 14th, Ranger Altman issued a warning for fishing w/o license and a warning for illegal burning of trash on a complaint.
On May 16th, while on patrol on the Altamaha River, Ranger Altman issued two warnings, one for fishing w/o a license and one for operating a vessel w/o a fire extinguisher on board.
On May 17th, while doing a boating safety patrol at Lake Mayers, Ranger Altman issued 3 warnings, two for operating a PWC above idle speed within 100 feet of shore/object in water and one for not having a throwable device on board a vessel. Ranger Altman also issued a citation for towing a skier with a PWC without an observer on board.

JENKINS COUNTY On May 13th, the Georgia State Patrol was involved in a car chase extending into Millen, Ga. The vehicle stuck a utility pole and the driver fled on foot. The Jenkins Co. Sheriff's Office contacted Cpl. Don Dasher for assistance. When Cpl. Dasher arrived in the area he saw two subjects walking across Ga. Hwy 17 and one of the subjects matched the description of the fleeing suspect. Cpl. Dasher detained the suspect and called for a Jenkins Co. Deputy to come and identify the suspect, which he did, and the suspect was then arrested.
On May 16th, Cpl. Don Dasher patrolled the Ogeechee River for boating and fishing activity. Four boats and 14 fishermen were check. Three citations were written for no fishing license, one for operating a vessel without registration, and one for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD'S.
CANDLER COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to a hunting without permission compliant. The caretaker of the land spotted the turkey hunters and they got up and ran back towards the property line. Ranger O'Brien, the property caretaker and a local deputy, searched the area but the suspects were not located.
RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled several creeks/rivers including the Ohoopee and Canoochee Rivers for fishing, creel and boating activity as well as patrolled for illegal turkey hunting activity; no violations were found.
EMANUEL COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled and checked Ohoopee Dunes State Natural areas for illegal ATV use, illegal dumping and littering activity, as well as checked the area for turkey hunting activity. No illegal activity was found.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LIBERTY COUNTY On May 10th, Cpl.'s Jay Morgan and Cindy Miller were on salt-water patrol in Liberty County checking recreational boaters and fishermen. The rangers cited one individual for not having enough life jackets.
On May 13th, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Cindy Miller checked seafood houses for commercial violations. The rangers checked three seafood houses and cited two of them for possession of undersized crabs and one for untagged clams.

GLYNN COUNTY On May 16th, Sgt. Bob Lynn and Cpl. Ron Harris along with members of the US Coast Guard Station Brunswick conducted courtesy boat inspections at Golden Isles Marina as part of National Safe Boating Week. A total of 15 boats were inspected.
On May 16th, Cpl. Ron Harris and RFC Craig Smith conducted joint boating safety patrols with members of US Coast Guard Station Brunswick. The officers patrolled the St. Simons Sound and Man Head Sound areas performing on the water courtesy inspections. A total of 10 boats were inspected.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On May 9, Cpl. Ron Harris, Cpl. Chris Hodge, Cpl. Jesse Cook, and RFC Mark Carson conducted an offshore patrol focusing on commercial fisheries violations. While on patrol the officers located a commercial shrimp trawler illegal fishing inside of closed waters. The officers boarded the vessel and cited the crew for commercial fishing with power drawn nets inside of closed waters. A total of 515 pounds of shrimp valued at $1982.72 was confiscated from the vessel.