Field operations weekly report, July 12-July 18, 2009

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report July 12-18, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On July 15th, Sgt. Mike Barr was returning home from answering a complaint. He witnessed an SUV run a stop sign in front of him on Calico Valley Road. The SUV was pulling a trailer with a Polaris Ranger 6x6 on the trailer. Sgt. Barr recognized the vehicle and its occupants. They were known to be involved in drug activity and thefts. Sgt. Barr stopped the vehicle and about the Polaris Ranger 6x6 and was told it belonged to a friend who asked them to bring it to the house of the person who owned the SUV so he would have somewhere to ride. Sgt. Barr obtained consent to check the Polaris Ranger 6x6 ATV. He obtained the VIN number and had it checked by the Bartow County Sheriff's Office. They confirmed the Polaris Ranger 6x6 was stolen and had been taken out of Acworth in Cobb County. Two men were arrested and charged with "theft by receiving stolen property".
On July 18th, Cpl. Chip Cox and RFC Bart Hendrix encountered an overloaded bass boat on Lake Allatoona in front of Park Marine. While checking the capacity of the boat and their safety equipment, the rangers noticed that the operator showed signs of intoxication. Cpl. Cox gave the operator field sobriety exercises and determined that the operator was under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. No one else in the boat could operate the boat, so RFC Hendrix had to take the boat and its occupants back to the Block House boat ramp and load the boat onto its trailer for transport. The operator was charged with boating under the influence and transported to the Bartow County Jail.
On July 18th, RFC Byron Young, RFC Brooks Varnell and his K-9 "Rock" patrolled the Etowah River by truck. They had received several complaints of illegal boating and fishing activity. They encountered two Hispanic males at Pumpkinvine Creek that were using cast nets. The fishermen did not have any game fish and stated that they were trying to catch catfish. Neither of the two had a fishing license. They were charged with fishing without a license.
FULTON COUNTY On July 18th, RFC Chad Cox and Ranger James Psillis patrolled the Chattahoochee River by boat from Jones Bridge to McGinnis Ferry. They were able to check 26 boats and 42 fishing license. They wrote several fishing and boating violations.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On July 17th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Leroy Ficklin responded to a 911 call regarding a possible drowning at Wildwood swimming area on Clarks Hill Lake. RFC. Ficklin confirmed with witnesses the last observed location of the victim before he went down. The Columbia County Dive Team responded to the scene and the victim was found within 45 minutes of the initial 911 call.
ELBERT COUNTY On July 15th, Corporal Julian Wilkins received a complaint in reference to someone dumping trash on Banana Bridge Road in Elbert County. Corporal Wilkins went to the area and found evidence identifying the subject who had dumped the trash. Corporal Wilkins interviewed the subject who was subsequently charged for littering.
RICHMOND COUNTY On July 17th,18th and 19th, Sgt. Max Boswell, RFC's Leroy Ficklin, Jeff Billips, and Cpl. Ben Payne were on duty at the Augusta Boat Race on the Savannah River. They teamed up with the SCDNR and the Coast Guard to close down parts of the waterway for the event.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
PUTNAM COUNTY On the afternoon of July 15th, Corporal Bubba Stanford patrolled the Wallace Dam area of Lake Sinclair in reference boating safety and fishing activity. Cpl. Stanford cited two separate boats for operating a vessel in a hazardous area without wearing a life jacket and operating a vessel in a prohibited area.
HANCOCK COUNTY On July 18th, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Ranger First Class Chad Welch and Corporal Bubba Stanford responded to a boating incident in Island Creek on Lake Sinclair. A 19' Carolina Skiff, occupied by 7 persons, was fishing along Island Creek and was caught in a severe thunderstorm and was attempting to get back to the boat ramp when they collided with a boat dock. The boat landed on top of a pontoon boat that was on a lift in the boathouse. Six people on board were injured with two being seriously injured. Cpl. Stanford contacted the section Sergeant, Bo Kelly, and requested him to go to the Oconee Regional Medical Center in Milledgeville to await the ambulance. Ranger First Class Chad Welch road in the ambulance to the hospital with some of the injured persons while Corporal Stanford stood by at the scene to preserve evidence.
Sgt. Kelly made contact with members of the DNR C.I.R.T. (Critical Incident Reconstruction Team) team and made arrangements for them to assist with the investigation. Once at the hospital, Sgt. Kelly and RFC Welch interviewed the passengers and took written statements. Sgt. Kelly made contact with RFC James McLaughlin of

Telfair County and requested that he meet with East Dublin P.D. and contact the family members of the victims of which he did. At approximately 4:00a.m. One of the injured persons succumbed to his injuries and died. Sgt. Kelly then made the death notification to the family members who had arrived at the hospital. At approximately 8:00a.m. Cpl. Bill Goodson relieved Cpl. Stanford at the scene. At approximately 10:00a.m. Cpl. Stanford and Sgt. Kelly met with C.I.R.T. members Sgt. Keith Byers and RFC Mitch Oliver at the Sinclair boathouse and briefed them on the situation. Cpl. Stanford escorted Sgt. Byers and RFC Oliver to the scene and they began a thorough investigation of the scene and incident. Due to how the boat crashed into the boathouse, the Rangers had to cut a portion of the dock out and utilized come-along and a local tow truck to dislodge it. RFC Oliver then transported the boat to the Region Office in Macon for safe storage and further investigation.
BALDWIN COUNTY On the afternoon of July 18th, RFC Chad Welch and RFC Tim Butler were patrolling Lake Sinclair near the dam when they stopped a boat for a registration violation. RFC Butler and RFC Welch noticed alcohol on board and noticed that the operator showed signs of intoxication. At that time, the operator fell to the floor and began complaining of chest pains and requested to go to the hospital. An ambulance was called to the scene and RFC Butler rode with the operator and EMS to the Medical Center in Macon. The incident is still under investigation.
HARRIS COUNTY On July 17th, RFC Mitch Oliver and Harris County Deputy Debra Colley were on routine patrol at Lake Harding when they stopped a boat that was occupied by two males and a female for a navigational light violation. RFC Oliver spoke with the operator about the light violation and during the conversation, observed several empty beer cans on the floor of the boat and around the operator's console. RFC Oliver had also noticed that the operator was having some difficulty standing when retrieving safety equipment and was very lethargic. RFC Oliver questioned the operator about his alcohol consumption and administered field sobriety exercises on the operator. At the conclusion of those exercises, the operator was placed under arrest for BUI and was later administered a state breath test on an Intox machine which resulted in a sample of .294 and .281 He was transported to the Harris County Jail for booking.
On July 19th, RFC Mitch Oliver worked a boat incident on Lake Harding involving one vessel. The incident took place on the evening of the 18th and involved a boat running aground in a shallow area. The boat had its lower unit ripped from the hull and the boat sunk in approximately three feet of water. There were no injuries involved in the incident.
Cpl. Bradfield also responded by phone to a call on Lake Harding in Harris County. A boater had called about his boat sinking on the upper end of the lake. The caller further advised that the out drive on the boat had just fallen off while he was under power and that he had not struck anything. This boater had already arranged for the boat to be removed from the water and was calling to advise DNR for to obtain a boating accident report.

TROUP COUNTY On July 17th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield checked several boaters in the Chattahoochee River in West Point. The boaters launched at Hardley Creek Park at West Point dam and were taking out in down town West Point. Two of the boaters were issued warnings for failure to wear PFD's in hazardous waters.
On July 18th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and Cpl. Brent Railey worked on West Point Lake checking boating and fishing activity. While checking upper West Point Lake in Heard County the Rangers received a call about a boating accident at Holiday campground near the lower end of the lake. There were no injuries in this two Jet Ski accident but one of the Jet Ski's was heavily damaged.
LAMAR COUNTY On July 16th, RFC Keith Page Charged one man for fishing without permission after he was caught by a landowner on Possum Trot Rd. fishing and keeping fish without permission. Two more men fled the scene. The man who stayed put identified one of the other suspects and gave a sworn statement, allowing RFC Page to get a warrant for one of the other men's arrest. The third subject has not yet been identified. Two of the men have been charged with fishing without permission and possession of illegally taken fish.
BUTTS COUNTY On July 19th at approximately 1:30 am RFC Keith Page and Sgt. Tim Kendrick encountered 2 men in an inflatable canoe in the middle of the South River on Jackson Lake. The men had no lights or life jackets with them. While speaking to the men one of them threw a package of cigars into the water. After retrieving the package RFC Page discovered that the package also contained a small bag of marijuana. The man that threw the package in the water was charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana after he admitted that it was his.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On July 12TH, RFC Randy Davis and Sgt. David Ruddell conducted a surveillance detail on the Flint River to address impaired boating activity. The operator of a pontoon boat was arrested for BUI and three counts of child endangerment.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 18th, Cpl Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled sections of the Savannah River and Ebenezer Creek. Rangers checked several boaters and fishermen resulting in violations for operating a vessel without PFD's, operating a vessel without registration, fishing without a license, possession of undersize largemouth bass and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Five bass were confiscated and released.

On July 12th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled Abercorn Creek and the lower Savannah River for boating and fishing activity. Two boats were checked and no violations were detected.
On Monday July 13th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. William Vickers followed up on a complaint of an individual holding an alligator in a dog kennel without a permit. Investigation revealed no violations.
BRYAN COUNTY On July 19th and 20th five officers from Region 6 assisted the Bryan County Sheriff's Office with the search of a wooded area for an elderly Alzheimer sufferer.
TELFAIR COUNTY On July 18th, RFC James McLaughlin and RFC Barry Britt conducted a surveillance detail at Staves Landing on the Ocmulgee River. RFC McLaughlin noticed 3 males appearing to use shocking equipment in the river. An inspection was performed on the boat and a shocking device was found. All three juveniles were released to their parents and the case was turned over to a Juvenile Officer.
On July 12th at 10:00p.m., RFC Britt and RFC McLaughlin responded to a Search and Rescue call from Telfair County 911 and DNR State Operation Center in Atlanta. Five persons, who were floating the river and became stranded after dark, called 911 and reported they were lost on the Ocmulgee River. The stranded persons were recovered approximately 6 miles up river from Dodges' Old Lake Landing and safely returned to their vehicle at 2:00a.m. Monday morning.
WHEELER COUNTY On July 19th, RFC McLaughlin responded to a drowning at the Hwy 280 Bridge in Wheeler County on the Oconee River. The body was recovered and transported to the Lower Oconee Regional Hospital in Glennwood.
WARE COUNTY On July 18th, RFC Jason Shipes patrolled the Satilla River from Jamestown to Millwood checking popular landings for boating and fishing activity. RFC Shipes checked several vessels and fisherman during his patrol. RFC Shipes found only minor violations that were corrected with verbal guidance.
CLINCH COUNTY On July 18th, RFC Jason Shipes was patrolling popular fishing areas along Cane Creek and found three individuals fishing south of Argyle. One subject was issued a citation for fishing without a license. The other two individuals stated that they did purchase a fishing license but could not produce it. Both subjects were issued citations for fishing without license on person.

CHARLTON COUNTY On July 13th, Cpl. Gary Simmons was patrolling for fishing activity and checked three subjects at Old River Landing on the St. Mary's River. The Charlton County Sheriff's Office wanted one subject for theft by taking. Subject was arrested and turned over to a Charlton County deputy.
LOWNDES COUNTY On June 13th, Ranger Keith McDonald met with a landowner in reference to individuals camping on his property during the past three weeks. Ranger McDonald informed the individuals that they were on private property and encouraged them to move to a public campground.
COOK COUNTY On July 15th, Cpl. Greg Moody cited two different landowners for EPD violations concerning unlawful burning.
On July 16th, Cpl. Moody assisted with a kids fishing event at the Reed Bingham State Park Ranger Camp.
TOOMBS COUNTY On July 15th, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel responded to Dead River about an unoccupied boat drifting there. The boat was located and secured at Clifton's landing. The boat had drifted away during a thunderstorm the previous night.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On July 12th, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Ogeechee River/Rockfish Creek areas near Fort McAllister, checking 19 boats. They later checked the Morgan's Bridge boat ramp reference a complaint about reckless boaters. Two persons were cited for possession of open containers of alcohol at a DNR ramp.
On July 18th, Cpl. Jay Morgan checked the boat ramp at Morgan's Bridge on the Ogeechee River. One person was cited for possession of open container of alcohol at a DNR ramp. He later patrolled the Ogeechee River at King's Ferry, checking 15 boaters.
GLYNN COUNTY On July 12th, Cpl. Chris Hodge, Cpl. Jimmy Finn, Cpl. Chris Ridley, Ranger Rebekah Fuller, and Sgt. Bob Lynn responded to a call from DNR's 24-hour emergency call center about a boating accident in Jekyll Creek. The accident is still under investigation.
On July 14th, Cpl. Ron Harris presented a boating safety program at Summer Waves on Jekyll Island as part of a Safety Day at the park. Cpl. Harris talked about life jacket safety, boating laws, and boating under the influence.

On July 14th, Cpl. Ron Harris, Sgt. Doug Lewis, Sgt. Bunny Grantham, and Capt. Stephen Adams attended a public hearing on proposed hunting regulation changes for the upcoming hunting season. The officers listened to and answered questions from attendees.
On July 18th, RFC Craig Smith and Cpl. Chris Hodge were waiting for some severe thunderstorms to clear the area so they could take Camden County Deputy Chris Sears to dive for them at the scene of an earlier boating accident. While waiting, they heard a call for help from a small boat taking on water on the south end of Jekyll Island. RFC Smith, Cpl. Hodge and Deputy Sears responded. They were able to locate the vessel in an area that was very shallow and full of outcroppings of oyster beds. The officers tied the vessel behind their patrol boat, loaded the subjects into their patrol boat, and returned them to the Jekyll public boat ramp.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On July 17th, Cpl. Ron Harris and Cpl. Chris Ridley responded to a call of a disabled boater somewhere on the Altamaha River between Champney River and Altamaha Park. During this time there was a severe thunderstorm occurring with heavy rain and severe lightning. After a short search the officers found the boaters near Lewis Creek and towed them back to Champney Boat Ramp.
On July 18th, Cpl. Ron Harris and Sgt. John Harwell responded to a call of assistance from the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard received a call of a vessel taking on water during a severe thunderstorm. The only information the Coast Guard could get was a possible latitude and longitude, which was two miles offshore of Wolf Island. The officers responded to the area and began a search along with the US Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Crew. After a search of the area it was determined that the call was false. After completing the search the US Coast Guard Helicopter located a boat approximately three miles offshore of Sapelo Island that had a sheen coming out behind it on the water. The officers responded to the area and located a vessel. Upon speaking with the vessel occupants it was determined that the sheen was a chum line and they were fishing.