Field operations weekly report, 2009 May 17-23

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 17-23, 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)
FANNIN COUNTY On May 22nd, Cpl. James Keener, Ranger Cody Jones, and US Forest Service Officers Mike Tipton and Robert Burnett worked a detail on Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. The officers issued two citations for fishing without a license and one for possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
On May 23rd, Sgt. John VanLandingham, and US Forest Service Officers Mike Tipton and Robert Burnett worked a detail along the Toccoa River. The officers issued four citations for operating ATV's on US Forest Service property, two traffic citations, one possession of over the daily creel limit of trout, and one possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
On May 23rd, Ranger Cody Jones issued one citation and two warnings for fishing violations on Rock Creek.
On May 22nd and 23rd, Cpl. James Keener and Ranger Cody Jones patrolled Lake Blue Ridge. The officers issued four citations and eight warnings for boating safety violations.
FULTON COUNTY On May 12th, Sgt. Ezra Wyche and Ranger James Psillis spoke with approximately 60 students of Creekside High School in Fairburn enrolled in the Criminal Justice program about career opportunities with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. In addition to answering questions about careers with the DNR, the rangers also answered questions about boating safety, hunting and fishing.
On May 14th, Ranger James Psillis and RFC Bart Hendrix participated in the United Parcel Service employee Health Fair Day. The two rangers spoke about boating safety, as well as answering general questions about boating safety, hunting, and fishing. After completing the U.P.S. health fair the two rangers had stopped at a gas station. Along side of them RFC Hendrix noticed two males in the back seat of a car. Upon exiting the DNR truck RFC Hendrix then noticed that one of the males was rolling a marijuana cigarette. After securing the two males and the vehicle the rangers notified Sandy Springs Police Department. The two males were then turned over to the Sandy Springs Police Department.
GILMER COUNTY For Memorial Day Weekend May 23rd thru 25th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Eddie Tompkins patrolled Carters Lake. The rangers issued 17 citations and 42 warnings during the holiday weekend for violations including BUI, operating with insufficient PFDs, operating without lights, operating with improper lights, rules of the road, operating overloaded vessel, and failure to obey a regulatory marker.

MURRAY COUNTY On May 22nd, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. Nathaniel Jones, RFC Eddie Tompkins, and Wildlife Tech Larry Ethridge completed a wildlife/license checkpoint on Cohutta WMA. Rangers issued 6 citations and made 3 arrests for violations such as driving while license are suspended, driving while unlicensed, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, and possession of Darvocet pills (felony)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Jason Roberson and RFC Pamela Shelton answered a complaint on the Chattahoochee River of fishing with illegal bait. Six individuals were encountered. Infractions of fishing without a license, fishing without a trout license, fishing with illegal bait and littering were found. Citations and warnings were issued for these infractions.
HALL COUNTY On May 17th, RFC Mark Stephens was patrolling Lake Lanier at Flowery Branch Creek for fisherman. As he approached two fishermen, he observed both subjects smoking marijuana rolled from a cigar. Both subjects were charged with possession of marijuana.
On May 23rd, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mark Stephens were patrolling Lake Lanier when two Hall County deputies called for assistance. When the rangers arrived the deputies advised them that they stopped a boat for being overloaded and suspected the operator was under the influence of alcohol. When the rangers arrived the operator was screened and placed under arrest for boating under the influence.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On May 23rd, RFC Mitchell Crump assisted the Lumpkin County Sheriff with his annual fishing rodeo. This fishing rodeo was for all the Lumpkin County Elementary students. This event was held at the North Georgia College Recreation area on the Etowah River.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On May 19th, Lt. Judd Smith met with the Athens Sportsman Club and presented a program on the various duties of Georgia's Conservation Rangers. He also gave an update of the budget situation facing the Law Enforcement Section.

LINCOLN COUNTY On May 23rd, Ranger Niki Spencer and Corporal Greg Colson investigated a boating incident which occurred in Newford Creek on Clarks Hill Lake. The incident occurred when two boats were following each other and the first boat came to a sudden stop. The boat in the rear could not stop in time and collided with the front vessel. A female on board received a head wound and possible skull fracture. A male on board received bruising to his back. The female was air lifted to Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. The incident is still under investigation.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On May 24th, Ranger First Class Brian Adams investigated a boating incident on the Little River near Raysville Marina on Clarks Hill Lake. One person was transported to Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA for internal injuries. The injuries were sustained after the person struck a moored vessel while he was tubing behind a moving vessel.
BURKE COUNTY On May 23rd at approximately 6 PM, Ranger First Class Jeff Billips, Ranger First Class Grant Matherly and Sergeant Mark Padgett issued a BUI to a person who blew a .19 before refusing. They were in Burke County on the southern part of the Savannah River.
On May 19th at approximately 8 PM, Sergeant Max Boswell captured and released an alligator in a private pond on a commercial game bird farm in Burke County.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On May 21st, Cpl. Jim Bradfield launched his patrol boat on West Point Lake at 5:30 am. The Ranger checked several boaters fishing before daylight as well as three fishing guides catching baitfish for the day. Two boaters were issued citations for operating a boat at night without lights.
On Saturday morning May 23rd, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and RFC Jeremy Bolen worked the Chattahoochee River in south Troup and north Harris Counties. About 15 boats and 30 fishermen were checked on the two-hour patrol that morning. Three of these fishermen did not have fishing license.
On Tuesday May 19th, Cpl. Brent Railey spoke to 5 elementary school classes at Rosemont Elementary School in LaGrange about boating safety and water safety.
LAKE SINCLAIR Rangers from Region IV LE patrolled Lake Sinclair Memorial Day Weekend and arrested 3 individuals for BUI. Several warnings and citations were also made for various boating safety violations including numerous light violations. No boating accidents or drownings were reported during the holiday weekend for Lake Sinclair.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. John Harkins received a complaint of underage alcohol consumption on Lake Blackshear. The vessel was located using the description provided, and during the investigation the operator was found to be impaired. He was charged with operating a vessel under the influence. On May 23rd, Sgt. Wade Law observed a vessel violating the idle only zone in Boy Scout Slough on Lake Blackshear. Sgt. Law stopped the vessel, and during the interview determined that the operator was impaired. The operator was charged with operating a vessel under the influence and failure to obey regulatory markers.
THOMAS COUNTY On May 20th, RFC David Brady conducted an Information & Education Program at Thomas County Central Middle School. The program consisted of duties and responsibilities of Conservation Rangers, wildlife identification, and general safety education.
BAKER COUNTY On May 22nd, RFC Randy Davis issued three warnings for fishing without a license while working boating safety on the Flint River at the River bend landing.
TURNER COUNTY On May 12th, RFC Al Greer responded to a call about subjects fishing without permission on John Pate Road. The landowners advised that they wanted the two subjects charged. Following the completion of an affidavit to prosecute by the landowners, Ranger Greer issued two citations for fishing without permission.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
CHARLTON COUNTY On May 17th, Cpl. Gary Simmons, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Sgt. Bob Lynn, RFC Craig Smith, RFC Brad Cox, and RFC Jason Shipes worked a joint boating safety detail on the St. Mary's River. Georgia officers paired with Florida Fish and Wildlife officers and patrolled the St. Mary's River for boaters operating under the influence, violating the 100-foot rule and other boating violations. Due to severe weather, boating activity was low. One violation for operating vessel within 100-foot of a boat ramp was documented.
PIERCE COUNTY On May 17th, Cpl. Damon Winters conducted a hunter development and firearms safety course at a local church. Church members shot skeet and were instructed in basic marksmanship skills with emphasis on firearms safety.

SCREVEN COUNTY On May 22nd-25th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely worked boating and fishing activity on the Savannah River over the Memorial Day holiday period. Numerous boats and fishermen were checked in the Poor Robin and Blue Springs area. Citations were issued for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without PFD's, and operating a vessel above idle within 100 ft. of a dock.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 23rd, Ranger Brandon Pierce and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled Savannah and Ogeechee River landings and creeks within the county. A total of one boat and one fishing license were checked. No violations were documented.
On May 24th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Cpl. David Sims conducted a boating safety patrol at Tuckasseeking Landing on the Savannah River. A total of sixteen boats and three fishing licenses were inspected. No violations were documented but verbal guidance was given on boat registration.
On May 25th, Ranger Brandon Pierce conducted a boating safety patrol on the Ogeechee River. The patrol was above and below Steel Bridge landing. No violations were documented. While heading to the landing to take off the river, Ranger Pierce observed six swimmers swimming across the river. The subjects made it across, but on the way back one of the swimmers had trouble fighting the current. Ranger Pierce used his patrol boat to assist the subject back to the landing. Later that evening, Ranger Pierce checked several landings and creeks on the Ogeechee and Savannah Rivers. A total of two boats and six fishing licenses were checked. Two violations of fishing without a license and one violation of fishing without a license on person were documented.
On Sunday May 17th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked Steel Bridge landing for boating and fishing activity. His efforts resulted in three boats being checked and two violations for operating a vessel without registration being documented. Shortly after completing the paperwork on the violations, Cpl. Akins' assistance was called upon to check into what was reported as someone passed out from alcohol poisoning. Cpl. Akins contacted Effingham County dispatch and requested an ambulance and assistance when attempts to wake the passed out subject proved to be useless. Through conversation with individuals that were friends of the passed out victim, it appeared that the unconscious person had overdosed on a friend's prescription of painkillers. Cpl.. Akins stayed with the group of swimmers and the unconscious victim until deputies from Effingham County and an ambulance arrived.
APPLING COUNTY During the Memorial Day Weekend, Ranger Altman and Corporal Williams worked high visibility patrols on both the Altamaha River and at Lake Mayers. This resulted in six violations being detected, which include operating a vessel w/o lights during hours of darkness, operating a vessel w/o throwable device, taking/possession of illegal size fish, operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs, and operating a vessel with improper PFDs.

BEN HILL COUNTY On Memorial weekend Cpl. John Stokes, Sgt David Reckley & Ranger Joe Hilton checked creeks and river landings for fishing and boating safety. Several boats and fishermen were checked, with violations for fishing without license and no fire extinguisher being written.
ATKINSON COUNTY On May 17th, RFC Tim Hutto responded to a complaint of hunting alligators out of season. He was able to obtain two vehicle tag numbers, alligator hunting equipment, (hooks and ropes), and a witness statement from the complainant. He searched for the alleged shot alligator on May 17th, 18th, and 19th. On May 20th Hutto and DNR agent trappers located the still-alive alligator and documented gunshot wounds to the animal. After a thorough weeklong investigation, two arrest warrants were taken and two individuals were arrested for hunting alligators out of season.
LOWNDES COUNTY On May 23rd, Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Morty Wood, RFC Tim Hutto, and Ranger Keith McDonald participated in the annual JAKES day at Quail Branch Plantation in Lake Park. The fishing simulator provided a realistic fishing experience to about 60 children. The Laser Shot system was also on site. Afterwards, McDonald and Hutto delivered a safety talk to the youth.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On May 22nd, Cpl. Miller was at Ft. McAllister Boat Ramp checking commercial crabbers. Cpl. Miller checked three commercial crabbers who all were in compliance. While waiting for the commercial crabbers, Cpl. Miller also checked a recreational crabber. The recreational crabber was cited for not having a fishing license and not having enough life jackets.
LONG COUNTY On May 19th, Cpl. Billy Reed, Cpl. Jessie Cook, Cpl. Mark Carson, Sgt. D.V. Grantham, and Capt. Stephen Adams assisted the GBI with a murder investigation. They assisted the GBI by searching a wooded area in Long County for any evidence relating to the case.