Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report June 28-July 4, 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 From July 2nd through July 4th, RFC Eddie Tompkins and Ranger Cody Jones patrolled Lake Blue Ridge. The rangers issued 50 citations and warnings for various boating offenses. On July 4th, Sgt. John VanLandingham while patrolling along the Toccoa River arrested a suspect for DUI, operating a vehicle with no tag, and operating a vehicle with no insurance. He also issued two citations for violation of Georgia's open container law, and one for possession of marijuana less than one ounce. MURRAY COUNTY On July 3rd, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. James Keener and Cpl. Casey Jones conducted a wildlife check point on Cohutta WMA. During the detail the rangers issued thirteen citations for various violations including possession of marijuana, violation of Georgia's open container law, driver's license violations, and fishing violations. GILMER COUNTY/CARTERS LAKE On July 3rd and 4th, Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener patrolled Carters Lake. The rangers issued twenty-eight warnings and citations for various violations. These violations included operating vessels at night with improper or no lights, riding the bow of the boat, operating vessel's with insufficient PFD's, allowing underage person to ride a vessel without wearing a PFD and operating an overloaded vessel. The rangers also worked a boating accident that occurred on July 4th when a PWC hit a ski boat. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) FORSYTH COUNTY From June 30th to July 2nd, Sgt. Lee Brown gave in-service training to the deputies of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. The in-service was on the duties of a ranger and how the two agencies can work together. On June 30th, Sgt. Lee Brown responded to a boating incident that occurred earlier this day where a pontoon boat hit a dock and had left the scene. The person who hit the dock was located. They left the scene because they were in need of medical treatment for minor injuries. This investigation is now closed with the completion of the boating incident report. On July 4th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eric Sanders responded to a boating incident at Little Ridge Park on Lake Lanier. A boat attempting to load onto a trailer hit another boat that was on shore. There were no injuries but the operator of the vessel attempting to load onto the trailer was arrested for boating under the influence On July 3rd, Cpl.'s Jason Roberson and Tim Vickery were patrolling Lake Lanier. The rangers checked several boats throughout the day and arrested one subject for boating under the influence. On July 3rd, RFC Eric Isom along with an Intern had a female flag them down. She was on an island on Lake Lanier. When they approached her and saw that another female was in the water in extreme pain. The pain was due to breaking her femur on a PWC. RFC Isom, the intern and the Forsyth County Sheriff's boat took her to Two Mile Park where she was turned over to EMS personnel. STEPHENS COUNTY On June 27th, Sgt Stan Elrod responded to a call from Stephens County dispatch about a possible drowning at the Jenkins Ferry boat ramp. Before arriving, the victim had been removed from the lake by friends. Paramedics were already on scene and were trying to resuscitate the victim. He was transported to Stephens County Hospital where he was pronounced dead several hours later. MADISON COUNTY On June 24th, RFC Shane Sartor was patrolling around the Broad River in Madison County and cited two subjects for possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. HALL COUNTY On June 26th, RFC Mark Stephens assisted the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville P.D., Georgia State Patrol Aviation, Department of Corrections Probation Officers and The U.S. Marshall's Office with the capture of two state probationers that had escaped from the Hall County Detention Center. On June 27th, RFC Mark Stephens patrolled Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. During the patrols this day he investigated two boating incidents and arrested one subject for boating under the influence. On June 29th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Mark Stephens patrolled Lake Lanier with a reporter and photographer from the Atlanta Journal Constitution. This ride along was for the paper to prepare an article for the upcoming holiday weekend. On July 3rd, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Mark Stephens were patrolling Lake Lanier. These rangers checked several boats throughout the day and arrested one subject for boating under the influence. LUMPKIN COUNTY On June 22nd, RFC Mitchell Crump talked about firearm safety and hunting safety to the campers at the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Junior Deputy Academy. He set the Laser Shot and Fishing Simulator up for the campers on this day also. On June 23rd, the campers at the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Junior Deputy Academy went to the Sheriff's Office firing range. RFC Mitchell Crump, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Pamela Shelton and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck assisted the campers with shooting 22 caliber rifles. For many campers this was the first time that they had shot a firearm. RABUN COUNTY On June 27th, RFC Chad Chambers and Sgt. Steve Seitz were patrolling Lake Rabun just before dark when they observed a vessel occupied by 5 male subjects traveling up the lake without a red and green bow light. The officers stopped the vessel and conducted a safety check on the vessel and the operator. During the safety check, the officers found the vessel to be without 4 wearable life jackets, no fire extinguisher, and a bow light without a red and green lens. The officers also detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vessel and determined the operator had been drinking alcohol. RFC Chambers performed the field sobriety exercises on the operator and he failed them. The boat operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and transported to the Rabun County jail where he refused the state administered test of his breath. He was additionally charged for operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets and warned for not having a fire extinguisher and the improper bow light. On June 27th, Corporal Derek Dillard and Rabun County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Stewart were patrolling Lake Burton when they observed a male urinating over the side of a pontoon boat which was traveling within 15 yards of a dock with several children swimming next to it. They immediately stopped the boat. The boat had 3 males and 3 females on board and all of them had been drinking alcohol. The driver was arrested and charged for operating a vessel under the influence and the passenger who was urinating over the side of the boat was arrested and charged for public indecency and public drunkenness. UNION COUNTY On July 4th, at approximately 3:10 pm, RFC Kevin Dyer, while on routine patrol on Nottely Lake when he received a call from the Union County 911 dispatch in reference to a boating incident in the Young Cane Creek area. RFC Kevin Dyer responded to the scene and found that while tubing, an 18-year-old white male had been struck by a boat. Union County EMS and First Responders treated the victim then he was flown by lifeflight to Erlanger Hospital in Tennessee. RFC David Webb and RFC Anne Alexander assisted with the boating incident, which is still under investigation. Region III- Thomson (East Central) ELBERT COUNTY On July 3rd, RFC Nick Jenkins and Cpl. Greg Colson were patrolling Beaverdam Creek on Lake Richard B. Russell when they observed two subjects walking along the bank setting limb hooks. They then noticed them pass what appeared to be some type of pipe. They approached the subjects and upon questioning them found that one subject had a device for grinding marijuana. The subject stated that he found it on the bank, but knew what it was used for. The subjects gave permission for their vehicle to be searched but no illegal substances were found. The subjects were released and warned about the possession of drug related objects. Later that day the Rangers saw a passenger on a PWC was not wearing his PFD properly and that the PWC had no registration. They stopped the PWC and while looking for the registration Cpl. Colson noticed a plastic bag containing what appeared to be marijuana. The subjects were questioned about the marijuana and the passenger admitted that it was his. The passenger was issued a citation for violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. The operator was issued a citation for violation of the 100 Foot Law. On July 3rd, RFC Phillip Nelson and Cpl. Julian Wilkins were patrolling the Coldwater Creek area of Lake Richard B. Russell after the fireworks show when they noticed a vessel coming towards them that had no lights. The vessel was stopped and the operator was found to be intoxicated. The operator was charged with operating a vessel without lights and operating a vessel under the influence. On July 4th, RFC Phillip Nelson and Cpl. Greg Colson were patrolling Clark Hill Lake near Bobby Brown State Park when they noticed a PWC passing them at a high rate of speed and being operated in a very reckless manner. The PWC was stopped and the operator was intoxicated. The operator was charged with operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation of a vessel, and operating a vessel without registration. LAKE OCONEE PUTNAM COUNTY On July 4th, Rangers patrolled Lake Oconee for holiday boating traffic. It turned out to be a busy day on the lake. Sgt. Mark Padgett and RFC Tanner arrested one person for boating under the influence. Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Ricky Boles arrested one person for operating vessel with improper lights and boating under the influence. Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Ricky Boles observed a bass boat traveling at a high rate of speed through the middle of a lot of boats heading towards the fireworks show. The bass boat was traveling twice as fast as the normal boat traffic and weaving in and out of boats. The rangers stopped the boat and issued the operator a citation for, operating vessel too fast for conditions. MORGAN COUNTY On July 5th, while patrolling on Lake Oconee in Morgan County Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Ricky Boles observed a young female operating a bass boat with a 115 horsepower motor on it. The female was by herself and appeared to be too young to operate that size boat. Upon stopping the boat the rangers learned that the young female was 12 years old. The rangers charged the girl's father with allowing an underage person to operate an improper vessel. GREENE COUNTY On July 5th, Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner were called out to a stranded vessel at approximately 2230 hours. The occupants in the vessel requested DNR assistance to get back home. During this time, the weather conditions were worsening as severe weather moved through the area. Cpl. Worth and RFC Tanner responded and got the occupants to land safely. It was pouring down rain and lightening, with high winds. LINCOLN/ MCDUFFIE COUNTIES On July 3rd, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Leroy Ficklin, RFC Bobby Timmerman, and Wildlife Tech Mark Patterson conducted boating safety patrols for a marine event permit at a fireworks show in the Amity area of Clarks Hill Lake. One person was arrested for boating under the influence as well as several citations and warnings being issued for various boating safety violations. COLUMBIA/ LINCOLN COUNTIES On July 3rd, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, RFC Brian Adams, and RFC Jeff Billips conducted boating safety patrols for a marine event permit at a fireworks show in the Little River Marina area of Clarks Hill Lake. One person was arrested for boating under the influence and child endangerment as well as several citations and warnings being issued for various boating safety violations. On July 4th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins and RFC Leroy Ficklin conducted a boating safety patrol on the lower portion of Clarks Hill Lake. One person was arrested for boating under the influence and failure to obey a regulatory marker. Several citations and warnings were issued for various boating safety violations. Region IV- Macon (West Central) Region V- Albany (Southwest) BROOKS COUNTY On July 4th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and Sgt. David Ruddell were working a boating safety/litter detail at a boat ramp on the Little River. A subject leaving the area on Hwy 76 was stopped and cited by Corporal Daughtrey for DUI and open container. Warrants were also taken on the subject for possession of cocaine. EARLY COUNTY On July 4th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, Cpl. Terri Jones and RFC Tony Cox responded to a boating incident on the Chattahoochee River. Three juveniles were thrown into the bank while riding a tube being towed behind a boat. The three juveniles sustained serious injuries and the boat operator has been charged with boating under the influence. The Law Enforcement Section's, Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is assisting with the ongoing investigation. CLAY COUNTY On July 4th, while patrolling Lake Walter F. George, Cpl. Steve Robinson encountered a jet-ski being operated without the required life jackets. Further investigation revealed the operator was intoxicated and under the age of twenty-one. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence and operating a PWC without wearing a lifejacket. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) CHARLTON COUNTY On July 3rd, Cpl's Gary Simmons and Damon Winters patrolled the St. Mary's River for early holiday weekend boating activity. Several boaters were given verbal guidance for minor violations with only one violation of riding on the bow being documented. The officers also assisted a stranded boater, who had run out of fuel, in getting back to the landing On July 4th, Cpl. Gary Simmons and RFC Brad Cox conducted an extended boating safety patrol on the St. Mary's River from Trader's Hill Landing downstream towards the Camden County line. Several violations were documented including violations of the 100' rule, which has been a focal point for Rangers working this part of the River. CLINCH COUNTY On July 4th, RFC Jason Shipes and Cpl. Damon Winters patrolled the Suwannee River for boating and fishing activity from Fargo to the Florida line. The officers checked several vessels and fishermen issuing one citation for operating a vessel without coast guard approved PFD's and issued a warning for violation of the 100' rule and insufficient PFD's. COOK COUNTY On July 4th, Cpl. Greg Moody, RFC Tim Hutto, Ranger Keith Mc Donald, and Sgt. David Nugent performed security patrols at Reed Bingham State Park's annual celebration and fireworks display. Earlier in the day, Moody and McDonald responded to a capsized vessel in the park's lake and two occupants were recovered from the water. There were no injuries and no damage to the boat. EMANUEL COUNTY On July 3rd, RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled and checked boat ramps at G. L. Smith State Park for boating and fishing violations. Local area creeks and rivers were also patrolled with no violations detected. On July 4th, RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled and checked boat ramps at G.L. Smith State Park as well as boat landings on Ogeechee River. Numerous vessels were checked with no violations detected. RFC O'Brien also patrolled Ohoopee Dunes State Natural areas for illegal ATV use, littering/dumping, alcohol consumption and fishing activity and no violations were detected. APPLING COUNTY For the July 4th weekend, Ranger Altman, along with the rest of the work section, conducted boating safety patrols at Lake Mayers and on the Altamaha River. All of the boat landings were checked by either boat or truck and numerous violations were detected, including; operating vessels w/o lights during hours of darkness, fishing w/o a license, operating a vessel w/o registration numbers, towing a skier on a PWC w/o an observer, operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs, and operating a PWC within 100 feet of object/shore above idle speed. WILCOX COUNTY For the July 4th weekend, Cpl. John A Stokes, Sgt David Reckley, Ranger Joe Hilton and RFC Mike Kicklighter patrolled the Ocmulgee River for boating safety. The patrol efforts resulted in three violations of PFD laws and one violation for fishing without a license. TELFAIR COUNTY On, July 2nd, RFC Britt responded to a call from Ranger and part-time Telfair County Deputy James McLaughlin regarding a possible fish shocking case. Officer McLaughlin was on a traffic stop with a truck for not having a license tag on their boat trailer. During the stop Officer McLaughlin noticed wires in the boat that looked like equipment from a fish-shocking device. Officer McLaughlin then saw the actual fish shocker in the back of the truck. After conducting interviews and looking at other evidence, RFC Britt charged two men from Crisp County with shocking fish and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The fish shocking equipment and 15 catfish were confiscated. On July the 3rd, RFC James McLaughlin and Technician Greg Varnadoe patrolled the Ocmulgee River at night for boating activity. Citations and warnings were issued for the operation of a vessel at night without lights and PFD violations. DODGE COUNTY On July the 4th, RFC Barry Britt and Cpl Johnny Ashe conducted surveillance at McRanie's Landing in Dodge County for various violations. Citations were issued for littering and a warning for operating vessel at night without lights was also issued. JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On July the 4th, RFC Barry Britt patrolled the Bullard Creek WMA for activity and checked several people fishing along the Altamaha River bank. Warnings were issued for the license violations that were found. LAURENS COUNTY On, July the 5th, RFC Barry Britt and Cpl Johnny Ashe patrolled the Hugh Gillis PFA for fishing and boating activity. Several licenses were checked and citations and warnings were issued for various violations. SCREVEN COUNTY Over the Fourth of July holiday period Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Cpl. Don Dasher conducted boating patrols on the Savannah River. Officers documented violations of operating vessel above idle speed within 100' of bridge, operating vessel w/o fire extinguisher, and operating vessel w/o PFDs. Officers assisted two stranded vessels and five persons attempting to traverse the river on pool floats. EVANS COUNTY On July 3rd, RFC Brannen and Cpl. Sims patrolled the Evans County Public Fishing Area. Several boats and licenses were checked. Violations were documented for fishing without license and fishing on a P.F.A. without a WMA license. EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 5th, Cpl. Dave Sims and Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled the Savannah River from the I-95 bridge overpass, north to Sisters Ferry and Ebenezer Creek, from the Savannah River outlet to Tommy Long landing. The Rangers addressed violations for allowing person to ride the bow of a vessel, operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, operating a vessel with improper PFD's and operating an overloaded vessel. The vessel with insufficient PFD's was escorted back to the landing. On July 4th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Dave Sims conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River. The Rangers patrolled from Ebenezer Landing to I-95. A total of eight boats and three fishing licenses were checked. Three violations of operating a vessel without a throwable device, operating a vessel 100 feet of object above idle speed, and allowing person to ride bow of boat were documented. On July 5th, Ranger Brandon Pierce and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety. A total of eight boats and four fishing licenses were checked. One violation of non-residence fishing without a license was documented. Later that evening officers Pierce and Brannen noticed a fish basket on the bank of the river. The basket was confiscated, as it is illegal to possess. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) MCINTOSH COUNTY On July 3rd, Cpl. Finn and Cpl. Ridley provided water security at the Red, White and Blue fireworks on the bluff in Darien. Cpl. Ridley cited one subject for operating a PWC during the hours of darkness. The operator of the vessel was operating his PWC at approximately 9:40PM. GLYNN COUNTY On July 3rd, the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Chris Clark patrolled with RFC Mark Carson and Cpl. Chris Ridley. They patrolled St.Simon's boating safety zones. Cpl. Ridley cited one subject for operating a power vessel in the boating safety zone. The same subject was in the boating safety zone on 7-5-09, and was again issued a citation for operating a power vessel in the boating safety zone. On July 4th, Sgt. Harwell and Ranger Fuller were patrolling the Altamaha River in Glynn County. One subject was stopped for an overloaded vessel. There were six subjects in a Jon boat. The violations consisted of insufficient life jackets, overloaded vessel, allowing an underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing a life jacket and the operator of the vessel was operating under the influence. One subject was cited for operating his vessel without lights during the hours of darkness. On May 26th, 27th, and 28th, RFC Mark Carson assisted the US Customs and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement with multi-agency detail. The officers targeted and boarded boats coming in to Georgia from offshore. They were looking for wildlife and customs violations. CHATHAM COUNTY On July 3rd-4th, Corporal Bill Bryson along with Ranger Buster Cooper cited seven individuals with operating their vessels without lights around the Wilmington and Herb Rivers. WAYNE COUNTY On June 28th, RFC Randy Aspinwall met with a landowner in reference to subjects fishing without permission in the area of the little Satilla Creek at Hwy 84. In the next few days RFC Aspinwall checked the area several times. He caught 7 subjects fishing without permission. All subjects were cited for fishing without permission. BRYAN COUNTY On June 28th, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Randy Tinley patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and Kilkenny Creek area citing one person for operating a vessel under the influence. The boat operator registered a .138. On July 3rd, Cpl. Phillip Scott and RFC Isaac Strickland patrolled Ogeechee River in the Morgan's Bridge area that morning citing four persons for possession of open containers of alcohol at a DNR ramp. They later patrolled the King's Ferry Ramp area that afternoon citing two persons for boat registration and life jacket violations. On July 4th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the King's Ferry Ramp areas of the Ogeechee River checking approximately 24 boaters, citing one person for fishing without a license and another for failure to obey regulatory markers in an idle zone. On July 4th, Sgt. James Shelton, Cpl. Phillip Scott, and RFC Isaac Strickland patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and Kilkenny Creek areas checking over 30 boaters. They cited four different persons for littering, no boat registration, no life jackets, and allowing a child under age 10 to ride in a boat without a life jacket. LIBERTY COUNTY On July 3rd, Sgt. James Shelton, Ranger Randy Tinley, and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the areas between St. Catherine's Sound and Sapelo Sound, checking 26 boaters. Two persons were cited for fishing without licenses