Field operations weekly report, 2010 May 23-29

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 23-29, 2010
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 May 23rd, RFC Byron Young and RFC Bart Hendrix were patrolling Lake Allatoona near Illinois Creek. They saw two jet-skis spraying each other with water and coming very close. They stopped one of the jet-skis and while speaking with the operator; the Rangers noticed a heavy odor of alcohol. The jet-ski operator was checked and determined to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and charged with boating under the influence and taken to the Bartow County jail.
On May 28th, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Chip Cox, RFC Byron Young, RFC Brooks Varnell, RFC Bart Hendrix, and RFC Richard Tanner organized a media safety awareness day on Lake Allatoona. Together, with public relations, they invited the major TV stations from Atlanta and local reporters to attend the event. Speakers included representatives from Team Georgia, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Corp of Engineers, GEMA Search and Rescue, and DNR Law Enforcement. The event also included demonstrations of a K-9 cadaver dog, the DNR Side Scan Sonar (a specialized unit for locating objects under water), an "in the water" life jacket demonstration, and a simulated boating under the influence demonstration. The media was able to film and gather important safety information to pass on to the boating public for the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.
On May 29th, Cpl. Chip Cox and RFC Byron Young responded to a boat collision on Lake Allatoona in the area known as "the narrows". A jet-ski had been jumping wakes and suddenly turned not seeing a pontoon boat. The jet-ski hit the pontoon boat on the side of the vessel. The Rangers discovered that there was significant damage to both boats, but there were no apparent injures.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Eric Brown and RFC Bart Hendrix gave a ride-a-long to State Representative Jill Chambers on Lake Allatoona. During their patrol, the Rangers stopped a three-person jet-ski who had two people on board and was towing two more on a ski-tube. While speaking with the operator, the Rangers noticed a heavy odor of alcohol and slurred speech. The operator was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. He was charged with boating under the influence and child endangerment (there were three children ages 10, 12, and 15 on the jet-ski and tube). The operator was taken to the Cherokee County jail and the children were turned over to a responsible adult.
FANNIN COUNTY On May 28th, DNR Rangers and USFS Officers worked a detail on Blue Ridge WMA. While working the detail citations were issued for possession of marijuana, violation of Georgia's open container law, and traffic violations.

GILMER COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Eddie Tompkins patrolled Carters Lake. The officers issued I citation and two warnings for boating violations.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
JACKSON COUNTY On May 22nd, RFC Eric Isom was patrolling Bear Creek Water Shed and checked 12 boats and 23 fishing licenses. RFC Isom issued verbal guidance, written warnings, and citations for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without registration, operating vessel without personal floatation devices, and possession of undersize bass. RFC Isom gave out loaner personal floatation devices and confiscated 15 fish total (catfish, bream, and bass).
DEKALB COUNTY On May 22nd, RFC Tim Vickery participated in the Child Awareness Day at the GBI Headquarters. He talked about his job duties and what role DNR would play if a child went missing in woods or on the water.
MADISON COUNTY On May 28th, RFC Shane Sartor checked a pond where a complaint had been filed last year about fishing without permission. Sartor caught two subjects fishing without permission and issued citations.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On May 29th, Sgt. Stan Elrod and Cpl. Craig Fulghum responded to a call about a boating accident on Lake Hartwell. Two Personal watercrafts had hit head on and a female was struck in the head. Fulghum and Elrod helped stabilize the patient's head and neck until paramedics arrived.
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 29th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Jason Roberson were patrolling Lake Lanier in Bald Ridge Creek. During a vessel check Cpl. Roberson observed that the operator was showing signs of being impaired. After further evaluation the subject was arrested for boating under the influence and transported to the Forsyth County Jail.
On May 17th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lake Lanier when they checked a fisherman with three striped bass. All three of the fish were over 22 inches long. A written warning was issued for possession of over the limit and the law was explained to the subject.
On this same day the rangers were checking another boat during the inspection it was determined that one of the subjects onboard had thrown a beer can into the lake. A citation was issued for littering.

On May 21st, Sgt. Lee Brown along with other agencies participated on the Coal Mountain Elementary Safety Day. Sgt. Brown talked with the students about his job duties and answered questions.
HALL CONTY On May 23rd Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lake Lanier around the Lake Lanier Islands. During a vessel check RFC Crump noticed that the operator was showing signs of being impaired. After further evaluation the subject was arrested for boating under the influence and transported to the Hall County Jail.
On this same evening after the rangers had completed the BUI arrest RFC Mark Stephens called Sgt. Brown and advised him of a boat that was having engine trouble with a small child onboard and needed assistance. After a lengthy search the vessel was located and towed to Big Creek boat ramp.
RABUN COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and Cpl. Derek Dillard were patrolling Lake Burton when they stopped a vessel for an expired registration. While the officers were checking the operator's registration and safety equipment, they noticed he was extremely nervous. Further investigation revealed the operator was in possession on marijuana. The boat operator was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
TOWNS COUNTY On May 29th, Sgt. Steve Seitz and RFC David Webb were patrolling Lake Chatuge after sunset. The officers observed a vessel running its' docking lights. As the officers were approaching this vessel, they observed the operator of the vessel change seats with the only other passenger of the vessel. The vessel also had an expired registration displayed. The officers conducted a safety inspection on the vessel and the original operator had difficulty producing the required equipment and registration. RFC Webb performed field sobriety exercises on the operator in which he failed them. The operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and taken to the Towns County Jail where he refused the state administered breath test. The officers learned that RFC Webb and RFC Anne Alexander had arrested this same subject in 2007 for boating under the influence.
UNION COUNTY On May 28th, RFC Kevin Dyer, RFC David Webb, Sgt. Steve Seitz, Wildlife Tech. Eric Wood, USFS Officers Robert Burnette and Jason Arrowwood worked a trout detail on Cooper's Creek WMA after it was stocked for the weekend. The officers identified two men who had caught their limit of trout on Rock Creek and came over to Cooper's Creek and caught four more trout. USFS LEO Burnette cited the two men for taking over their daily creel limit.

GWINNETT COUNTY On May 21st, Sgt. Lee Brown along with Capt England and Robin Hill set up a booth at the Gwinnett Braves Stadium and talked the attendees about boating safety and answered questions. Also, at this game the DNR Honor Guard presented the colors before the game.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
LINCOLN COUNTY On May 29th, RFC Leroy Ficklin and Cpl Ryan Swain arrested two subjects who were performing lewd acts in the beach area on Soap Creek. The subjects were charged with disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, underage consumption of alcohol, and violation of the Georgia controlled substance act (marijuana).
On May 30th, RFC Robert Timmerman and RFC Leroy Ficklin cited one subject for operation of a PWC without wearing a PFD and towing a skier without an observer near Amity.
On May 30th, Sgt Doyte Chaffin and Cpl Ryan Swain cited a subject for towing a skier after sunset on the Savannah River near Elijah Clark State Park.
BURKE COUNTY On May 29th, RFC's Jeff Billips and Grant Matherly checked fishermen and boaters on the Ogeechee River in Burke and Jefferson Counties. Warnings were issued to boaters operating vessels without PFD's. RFC's Billips and Matherly checked several fishing without permission complaints and an illegal artifact digging complaint.
ELBERT COUNTY On May 29th, RFC Nick Jenkins and Cpl. Julian Wilkins responded to a call about to a subject breaking his leg while swinging from a rope swing on Lake Richard B. Russell. The rangers responded and loaded the subject into their vessel and transported him to Hester's Ferry Boat Ramp where Elbert County EMS met them and transported the subject to Elbert Memorial Hospital.
GREENE COUNTY/LAKE OCONEE On May 30th, Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner were patrolling Lake Oconee when they observed a vessel operating above idle speed within 100ft. of a dock/shore. They stopped the vessel for the violation and determined that the vessel operator had been drinking. RFC Tanner conducted field sobriety exercises on the operator and upon completing the exercises placed him under arrest for BUI. The operator blood alcohol was 0.15 grams on the state's Intox 5000 test.

On May 29th, rangers on Lake Oconee responded to a boating incident near Old Salem Park. A vessel took on water from a wave and began to sink. The occupants bailed out and got help from a passing boat. The vessel did in fact sink to the bottom of the lake. The rangers called for assistance from the Old Salem Fire Department's dive team. The rangers used Side Scan Sonar to locate the boat. Dive members went down and tied off to the boat and were able to drag it up off the bottom. The boat was recovered and returned to owner.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BIBB COUNTY On May 28th, the Region 4 Ranger of the Year board was held at the Region office. Five officers from across the Region competed for the award. These officers were RFC Tim Butler, RFC Jeremy Bolen, Cpl. Lynn Stanford , RFC Keith Page, and Cpl. Wanda Roberts. RFC Bolen was ultimately selected and will represent Region 4 in the statewide Ranger of the Year board.
On May 28th, RFC Kevin Joyce, in conjunction with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, held a boating safety news conference with members of the local media. Taped at Lake Tobesofkee, the program stressed the importance of safe boat operation and use of personal flotation devices.
BUTTS COUNTY On May 22nd, RFCs Keith Page and Billy Bryant observed several men fishing from a pier on the Ocmulgee River. When the Rangers checked the men they found none of the anglers possessed a license. One of the subjects then provided a fictitious identity to the Rangers - officers became suspicious when they noticed a name tattooed on the man's leg that was different from the one he provided. The man was arrested for fishing without a license and transported to the Butts County Jail. It was later determined the individual was wanted. The man was charged with fishing without a license, giving a false name to law enforcement, and obstruction.
JASPER COUNTY On the evening of May 23rd, RFC Keith Page and RFC Billy Bryant were patrolling Lake Jackson when they noticed a boat pulling a skier well after sunset. The operator of the vessel was issued a citation for towing a skier between sunset and sunrise. On May 28th RFC Billy Bryant was patrolling the Ocmulgee River bridge and boat ramp off Highway 83 South when he noticed a man standing on the boat ramp drinking a beer. Upon approaching the subject he noticed one unopened beer sitting on the side of the boat ramp. After talking with the subject for a few moments Bryant determined the subject had sank his empty can in the river. The subject eventually located his discarded can on the bottom the river. The subject was issued a citation for possessing an open container of alcohol at a state owned boat ramp and issued a warning for littering.

LAKE JACKSON On May 22nd, Cpl. Tony Wynne and Cpl. Susan Morris patrolled Lake Jackson for boating activity. Violations noted were two failures to obey regulatory markers, one operating vessel with insufficient personal flotation devices (PFDs), and one operating a personal watercraft without a PFD.
LAMAR COUNTY On May 18th, RFC Keith Page and Deputies from the Lamar County Sheriff's Office received a call stating that a man was spotted fishing without permission at a pond near Cannafax Road. RFC Page had previously received several complaints from the landowner and had been checking the area daily. Page and deputies arrived at the scene to find a man fishing in the pond. Because the subject was a resident of another state and the fact that a house on the property had been recently burglarized, Page arrested him. The subject was transported to the Sheriff's Office and questioned regarding the burglary. He was charged with fishing without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife (fish).
MONROE COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Tony Wynne patrolled the accesses along the Ocmulgee River from Highway 83 south to Popes Ferry for fishing, boating, and illegal drug activity. One violation was noted for operating a vessel without a personal flotation device.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On May 22nd, RFC Mitch Oliver and RFC Jeremy Bolen were checking for boating activity on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. RFC Bolen noticed a truck backing a boat trailer down the boat ramp. After speaking to the subject, RFC Bolen noticed the driver seemed to be impaired. After performing field sobriety exercises, RFC Bolen arrested the driver of the vehicle for driving under the influence. Meanwhile RFC Oliver waited for the boat operator to load the boat onto the boat trailer. After speaking to the subject, RFC Oliver noticed the boat operator seemed to be impaired. After performing field sobriety exercises, RFC Oliver arrested the boat driver for operating a vessel under the influence. Both subjects were transported to the Muscogee County Jail.
PUTNAM COUNTY On May 29th, RFC Josh Copelan, Cpl. Stan Semmler, and RFC Chad Welch worked a boating incident on Lake Sinclair. One boat struck a PWC resulting in damage to the hull of the PWC. No one was injured.
On that same day, Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly seized a possible stolen PWC that was being operated on Lake Sinclair. This incident is still under investigation.

TROUP COUNTY On May 25th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield responded to West Point WMA, Dixie Creek tract in reference to a suicide call - Bradfield was the first officer to arrive. A nearby resident had discovered the scene and reported the incident. The suicide was investigated by Troup County authorities.
On May 27th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield assisted RFC Jeremy Bolen in training his K9 Ruger in the West Point area. Later that afternoon Bradfield received a complaint about boaters in the river in West Point who did not have PFD's in their boat. Cpl. Bradfield responded to the area and using his river boat located four juveniles in tube rafts floating down the river - none of them had PFDs. Because the area is declared hazardous waters and because all boaters are required to wear PFDs while in such areas, the four were given verbal guidance and escorted to the bank where they were picked up by a West Point PD officer and taken back to their vehicle.
TWIGGS COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Robert Stillwell and RFC Tim Butler conducted compliance checks at the public boat ramps on the Ocmulgee River. Three courtesy warnings and one citation were issued for various boating and fishing violations.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY On May 28th, Cpl Tommy Lawrence and RFC Harold Hill were conducting a patrol on the Flint River when they encountered a vessel operating without navigation lights. The operator of the vessel was found to be impaired, and was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence.
On May 28th, RFC Clint Martin and Sgt. Wade Law were conducting a night patrol on Lake Blackshear when they encountered and stopped a vessel operating without navigation lights. The operator of the vessel was found to be impaired, and was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence.
BAKER COUNTY On May 23rd, RFC Randy Davis followed up on a complaint of unlawful dumping and burning of waste, issuing a warning for unlawful dumping to the violator.
TIFT COUNTY On May 24th, RFC Randy Davis and Tift County Code Enforcement Officer Russell Gay interviewed a suspect for the unlawful dumping of a large quantity of debris on neighboring property. The violator advised that he and the neighboring landowner were having property line disputes and he believed the dumpsite was on his property. The violator was issued a warning for unlawful dumping and placed on a plan of action by code enforcement to clean up the site.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
CHARLTON COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Gary Simmons and Sgt. Patrick Dupree patrolled the St. Mary's River from Buchannon Landing to Trader's Hill. Holiday boating activity was heavy, but only one violation for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's was documented.
PIERCE COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Damon Winters and RFC Jason Shipes conducted a boating safety patrol on the Satilla River. Ten boats and several bank fishermen were checked. The officers issued three cases and one warning for fishing license violations and boating violations.
BULLOCH COUNTY On May 28th, Cpl. Dave Sims and Sgt. William Vickers patrolled the Ogeechee River by boat from Williams Landing to Shearhouse Landing. During the patrol the Rangers addressed violations for: Operating a vessel without registration, Fishing without a license, Improperly displayed registration numbers, Operating a vessel without PFD's and Operating a vessel without sufficient PFD 's. Several boat operators who were consuming alcohol beverages were advised of Georgia's BUI statute.
On May 24th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked a private pond near Statesboro, which resulted in one violation being documented for fishing without permission.
On May 28th, Sgt. William Vickers received a complaint from a hunting club member in reference to fishing without permission. The club member stated that he discovered a male subject adjacent to a club pond with fishing gear. The trespasser ran into the woods. The club member stated he had found the trespasser's vehicle and would wait until Sgt. Vickers arrived. After arriving at the scene Sgt. Vickers found 3 fishing rods and a tackle box abandoned in the woods. He set-up surveillance of the vehicle and after 2 hours had passed the suspect returned. The club member identified the suspect as being the person he saw on the property. The trespasser was questioned and denied fishing in the pond or being on the property. He did admit fishing in a nearby creek. A check through the local sheriff's office revealed that the subject was wanted in Screven County on a probation warrant. The subject was turned over to the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office. Charges are pending for fishing without permission and fishing without a license.
On Saturday, May 29th, Sgt. William Vickers and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted a boating safety patrol on the Ogeechee River below Shearhouse Landing. Several boats were checked. A number of boating and license violations were addressed.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled on the Ogeechee River from Dashers Landing to below I-16 Bridge. A total of 12 boats and 22 licenses were checked. Three violations for operating a vessel without personal flotation devices and two violations for fishing without a license were documented.
On May 18th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. William Vickers patrolled river landings and creeks along the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of one boat was checked during the patrol. Two violations were documented consisting of operating a vessel without PFD's (life-jackets) and operating a vessel with expired registration. Verbal guidance was given on the laws and regulations of boating safety.
On May 20th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings and creeks along the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of two boats and two fishing licenses were inspection. As a result of the inspection two violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and allowing underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing PFD. Later that evening the officer assisted a stranded motorist in transporting them to their residence to get gas for their vehicle.
On May 28th, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River. A total of fifteen boats and twelve fishing licenses were checked. As a result of the check three violations were documented consisting of fishing without a license, operating a vessel with improper lights, and refusing to allow inspection of vessel. Verbal guidance was given on how to obtain a registration and on the boating laws of Georgia.
On May 29th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Dave Sims patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of ten boats and ten fishing licenses were inspected. Two violations were documented as a result of the inspection. The violations consisted of operating a vessel without throwable boat cushion and operating vessel without registration number displayed. Verbal guidance was given on the laws and regulation of having a fire extinguisher on board.
On May 30th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. William Vickers conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River. A total of thirty boats and twenty fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection a total of four violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel without registration and allowing an underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing PFD.

EVANS COUNTY On May 24th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked activity along the Canoochee River. Fifteen fishing licenses were checked with three citations written for fishing without a license.
SCREVEN COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely patrolled the Savannah River from Effingham county line to Burtons Ferry, working boating and fishing activity. At approximately 9pm Cpl. McNeely observed a boat traveling down stream just above Poor Robin Landing without navigational lights. After initiating a stop on the vessel Cpl. McNeely determined that the operator of the boat had been drinking. Cpl. McNeely performed field sobriety tests and arrested the operator for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and operating a vessel without lights during hrs of darkness. The boat operator was transported to the Screven County Jail.
On May 30th, Cpl Shaymus McNeely and RFC Debbie Brannen worked boating and fishing activity. On the Savannah River upstream form Poor Robin landing. At approximately 8pm the officers observed a boat coming in to Poor Robin Landing. The operator and the passenger of the boat appeared to have been drinking heavily. Cpl. McNeely asked the boat operator to participate in field sobriety tests and the operator refused. Based upon observations made at the scene and the strong odor of alcohol, the boat operator was placed under arrest. The boat operator was transported to the Screven county Jail. At the jail the boat operator who had no identification refused to disclose her identity and was unable to be processed until the next afternoon when her identity was confirmed. The boat operator was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and operation of a vessel without proper ID.
COFFEE COUNTY On May 29th, RFC Joe Hilton and Cpl. John Stokes patrolled the Ocmulgee River for boating safety. The patrols resulted in multiple verbal guidance warnings and one written warning for fishing without a license.
IRWIN COUNTY On May 28th, RFC Hilton observed trash coming from a vehicle on Holt Rd. RFC Hilton stopped the vehicle and issued a warning for littering.
TOOMBS COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Jon Barnard assisted the Toombs Co. SO in retrieving a stolen safe dumped in the Altamaha River.
On May 29th, Sgt Don Dasher, Cpl. Jon Barnard, RFC Danielle Partin and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River from Morris Landing to Grey's landing inspecting 12 boats and 20 fishing licenses. Three citations and five warnings were issued for various fishing and boating violations.

JENKINS COUNTY On May 23rd, Sgt. Don Dasher, Cpl. Jon Barnard and intern Zachary Green patrolled boat landings on the Ogeechee River; one subject was arrested for DUI, driving on suspended license and improper starting at the Bull Hole Landing.
On May 29th, Sgt Don Dasher and Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled the Ogeechee River from Scarboro Landing to Hwy 25 Bridge inspecting 9 boats and 22 fishing licenses, one citation and five warnings were issued for various boating and fishing violations.
BERRIEN COUNTY On May 29th, Cpl Morty Wood and RFC Tim Hutto patrolled the Alapaha River for boating safety and fishing activity. Citations and warnings were issued for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without Coast Guard Approved PFD's, operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, and operating a vessel without registration.
On May 30th, Sgt. David Nugent patrolled Paradise PFA for boating safety and fishing activity. Several fishermen received instruction on the license requirements. Alapaha River landings at Sheboggie and Hwy 135 were also checked.
On May 31st, Cpl Morty Wood and RFC Tim Hutto patrolled the Alapaha River on highway 135 for boating and fishing activity. One subject was arrested and charged with littering and consumption of alcohol by a minor.
LOWNDES COUNTY On May 29th, Sgt. David Nugent and RFC Keith McDonald patrolled the Withlacoochee River. Citations were issued for fishing without a license and operating a vessel without CGA PFDs. Verbal guidance was given regarding the new boat registration procedure.
ATKINSON COUNTY On May 31st, RFC Tim Hutto and Sgt. David Nugent worked the Seventeen Mile River in Atkinson and Coffee and the Little Satilla River in Atkinson and Ware in response to reports of fishermen taking over the daily limit of red breast bream. Several fishermen were checked and all were in compliance with boating laws and creel limits. K9 officer Gauge was utilized on some of the extended foot patrols.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)