Field operations weekly report, 2010 June 27-July 3

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 27-July 3, 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 June 27th, Sgt. Mike Barr and RFC Bart Hendrix were patrolling Lake Allatoona inside Glade Marina. RFC Hendrix noticed a pontoon boat coming through the no wake zone without a proper registration. The boat was stopped and the operator of the boat was asked to also check his safety equipment. Ranger Hendrix observed that the operator showed signs of intoxication. He was checked and determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The operator was arrested and transported to the Bartow County Jail.
On June 28th, Sgt. Mike Barr and Cpl. Chip Cox attended a probate court hearing for a raccoon hunter who had been charged with hunting without permission in February 2010. The hunter claimed that he had received permission from a friend of his son's who live adjacent to a hunting club off Perry Road. The friend did not own the land nor have permission to hunt or be on the land that they were found hunting. After testimony from all parties, the raccoon hunter was found guilty. He was fined $550.00 and lost his hunting privileges for one year.
On July 3rd, Sgt. Mike Barr and Cpl. Chip Cox were patrolling Lake Allatoona after dark in front of the dam. They were assisting boaters after the annual fireworks show. They had stopped a pontoon boat with stern light problems when a jet ski came towards the boat with the operator holding two flashlights. The Rangers asked the jet ski to stop and he started yelling that a boat was sinking. Sgt. Barr found out that the Jet Ski had left from a campsite after a woman had walked up and stated she was a passenger on the boat that was taking on water. Cpl. Cox and Sgt. Barr obtained information from the jet-ski operator and sent him back to his camp. They began a quick search of the area in front of Park Marine and found an older pleasure boat on the shoreline across from Park Marine. The boat had been swamped by wakes from larger boats. Sgt. Barr and Cpl. Cox assisted the boaters back to their campsite.
On July 3rd, RFC Byron Young and Cpl. Chip Cox were patrolling Lake Allatoona by boat in the mouth of Illinois Creek. This has been an area of much drinking and boating all year. The Rangers witnessed an operator of a ski boat driving, hollering, and turning up a bottle of beer as he went by the DNR boat. The Rangers stopped the boat and RFC Byron Young checked the operator's ability to safely drive the vessel. The operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol as were several passengers on the boat. The operator was arrested by RFC Young and charged with boating under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the Bartow County Jail by the Bartow arrestee transport van on duty for the holiday.

CARROLL COUNTY On July 3rd, Cpl. Eric Brown and Ranger First Class Chad Cox while patrolling Lake Buckhorn, cited 2 individuals for operating vessels after dark with no lights, 1 individual for littering and no fishing license, and 1 individual for boating under the influence and operating with improper lights.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On July 3rd, RFC Brooks Varnell and RFC Bart Hendrix were patrolling Lake Allatoona in the area of Kellogg Creek after dark. They witnessed a Regal ski boat without any lights coming into the creek. Ranger Varnell checked the operator and discovered he was impaired. The only passenger who was not impaired was the operator's 16-year-old son and he was allowed to drive the boat back to safety. The operator was arrested and charged with boating under the influence. He was taken to the Cherokee County Jail.
COBB COUNTY On June 30th, RFC Brooks Varnell and RFC James Psillis teamed up to patrol the Chattahoochee River. They worked the river from Morgan Falls to Paces Mill. They discovered a lot of rafters using the river and drinking alcohol. They witnessed several boaters intentionally sink their beer cans. They also stopped a lot of rafts that did not have any life jackets for the occupants as required by law. The Rangers issued several citations for littering and no life jackets.
FANNIN COUNTY On July 2nd, Cpl. James Keener and RFC Cody Jones patrolled the Toccoa River using kayaks. The officers issued a total of four citations and warnings for fishing violations.
On July 2nd, Cpl. James Keener and RFC Cody Jones patrolled Lake Blue Ridge. The officers issued six citations and warnings for boating violations including operating without PFDs, registration, and at night without lights.
On July 3rd, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. James Keener, Cpl. Casey Jones, RFC Eddie Tompkins, and RFC Cody Jones patrolled Lake Blue Ridge. The officers issued eight citations and warnings for boating violations including operating without PFDs, illegal operation of Personal Watercraft, and operating at night without lights.
GORDON COUNTY On Saturday July 3rd, Cpl Shawn Elmore responded to Erwin Mill Rd in Fairmount after he received a call from a concerned citizen that had located a blazer parked near his hunting club. The complainant stated that this same vehicle had been run off from his hunting club after being caught harvesting ginseng on his club on Friday, July 2. Cpl. Elmore made contact with a Calhoun man and an Adairsville man on a separate piece of property than the complainant's club. The two men stated they were just walking the creek and did not know who owned the property. The landowner was contacted and asked Cpl. Elmore to issue them a written warning and not to return. The two were issued written warnings for criminal trespass. Cpl. Elmore then questioned the two about

the incident on Friday. The Calhoun man stated that he was harvesting ginseng and had talked to one of the club members the day before and the Adairsville man was not with him Friday. While talking to them, the complainant arrived on scene as well as the other member of the club from Friday. After talking with all parties involved, the Calhoun man turned over 116 ginseng roots to Cpl. Elmore and was issued a citation for harvesting ginseng out of season and warned for harvesting ginseng without written permission.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HALL COUNTY On July 4th, RFC Eric Isom was patrolling Lake Lanier. RFC Isom responded to a boat incident in cocktail cove. The victim was attempting to jump into the water off the second story of the houseboat when he lost his footing. The subject landed onto the deck of the vessel and then bounced into the water unconscious. Some passengers of the houseboat rescued him. Hall County Fire and Rescue boat assisted the victim with his medical issues. He was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. RFC Isom responded to a second incident on Lake Lanier. A vessel sank just south of Van Pugh Park. Four subjects were rescued and placed upon RFC Isom's patrol boat. One of the victims could not swim and was extremely shaken up by the event. She also suffered from high blood pressure. RFC Isom called Hall County Fire and Rescue to assist with the female passenger.
DAWSON COUNTY On June 20th, Cpl. Roberson and Sgt. Burgamy responded to a boat accident in which a fifteen-year-old girl fell from a tube and was struck by a pontoon boat. She was air lifted to the hospital where she later passed away.
FORSYTH COUNTY On June 25th, Cpl. Roberson received a call about a serious injury boat accident in which a twenty three year old woman was cut extensively by a boat propeller. The incident is still under investigation.
On June 26th, Cpl. Roberson and Sgt. Burgamy responded to a boat accident at Pointe Royale Marina in which a four-year-old boy was struck by a boat propeller. The child obtained potentially life-threatening lacerations to his upper leg, and was air lifted to the hospital. Currently, he is in stable condition.
On June 27th, while on patrol near Browns Bridge on Lake Lanier, Cpl. Roberson observed a PWC traveling during the hours of darkness. The vessel had homemade navigation lights. He stopped the vessel and noticed signs of possible drug use by both the driver and the passenger. He asked the driver for consent to search the vessel and located marijuana, methamphetamine and a glass pipe. Both subjects were arrested and turned over to the Forsyth County Narcotics Squad.

GWINNETT COUNTY On July 2nd, Cpl. Eric Sanders was travelling home from lake patrol on Lake Lanier when he observed a vehicle that appeared to have an impaired driver. Cpl. Sanders stopped the vehicle and Gwinnett County P.D. responded to assist Cpl. Sanders. The female driver was arrested for DUI and possession of Meth. The male passenger was a subject that was wanted by Gwinnett County P.D. for parole violations and drug charges. This subject also ran from the officers after giving them a false name and date of birth. The subject was tazed by Gwinnett P.D. after running from the officers. This case was turned over to the Gwinnett County P.D.
HALL COUNTY On June 22nd, Capt. Rick Godfrey and Sgt. Johnson responded to a drowning on Lake Lanier at Little Hall Park. Search efforts for the victim were not successful on this day. The next day the Hall County Fire Department with the use of their "Side Scan Sonar" was able to locate the victim. Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Mitchell Crump assisted with the search efforts the next day.
On June 26th, Cpl. Roberson observed a boat traveling in Shoal Creek on Lake Lanier without bow lights. Cpl. Roberson stopped the vessel and noticed that the operator appeared to be intoxicated. Cpl. Roberson administered field sobriety exercises, which the subject failed. He placed the subject under arrest for BUI. The subject's test results were .119 grams.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT On Friday July 2nd, Rangers Niki Spencer, Nick Jenkins, Phillip Nelson, and Greg Colson worked the annual fireworks display on Richard B. Russell Lake. The fireworks display is held annually at Richard B. Russell State Park on Vans Creek.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BLECKLEY COUNTY On June 28th Cpl. John Harkins and Sgt. Tony Fox assisted with a Kid's Fishing Event held at Gully Branch Tree Farm. Bass Pro Shop, the Sports Center of Perry, and the Earl Barrs family made the event, a fishing camp for the Georgia Methodist Children's Home, possible.
FAYETTE COUNTY On July 3rd, while on patrol during a fireworks show on Lake Peachtree, RFC Kevin Godbee and RFC Travis Sweat made a boating stop on a vessel that was overloaded with too many passengers. Further investigation revealed the operator was also under the influence of alcohol. The operator was placed under arrest and taken to the shore to be transported to the Fayette County Jail. Once on shore the operator ran and refused to stop after being ordered to do so by officers. Approximately 45 minutes later RFC Godbee

and RFC Sweat went to the operator's mother's residence where he was located and positively identified. He was taken back into custody and transported to the county jail where he was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, three counts of BUI child endangerment, operating an overloaded vessel, misdemeanor escape, and misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

HOUSTON COUNTY On June 30th Cpl. John Harkins assisted the Fisheries Section with a Kid's Fishing Event held at Flat Creek PFA. The event, a fishing camp for the Georgia Methodist Children's Home, was made possible by Bass Pro Shop and the Sports Center of Perry.

MONROE COUNTY On Saturday July 3rd RFC Keith Page, Cpl. Tony Wynn, Sgt. Tim Kendrick and numerous members of Monroe County's EMS worked diligently to recover the body of a 19 year old male who drowned in the Ocmulgee River near Pope's Ferry. Sgt. Kendrick requested the help of DNR's Side Scan Sonar from Region III and, through its use, officers were able to locate and recover the victim.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)

MITCHELL COUNTY On June 22nd, R.F.C. Randy Davis investigated an anonymous complaint about a subject possessing a raccoon, in South West Mitchell County. A subject was interviewed an issued a written warning for holding game animal without permit. Raccoon was turned over to Game Management.

BAKER COUNTY On June 22nd, R.F.C. Randy Davis investigated an anonymous complaint of hunting alligators in North West Baker County. Subject was interviewed and confessed to shooting the alligator. Subject was issued a citation for hunting from a public road and issued warnings for hunting without permission and hunting alligator.

CLAY

COUNTY

RFC Jim Atchley and Sgt Butch Potter conducted a night patrol on Lake George on Friday, July 2nd. Three citations were issued for operating at night without lights, no boat

registration

and

fishing

without

a

license.

QUITMAN COUNTY On July 4th, Cpl. BJ Foster and Cpl. Steve Robinson patrolled Lake Walter F. George. While on patrol they issued warnings and verbal guidance for allowing under age child to ride in a vessel without wearing a PFD, allowing a person to ride gunwale and towing a skier with PWC without an observer on board.

WORTH COUNTY On July 3rd, around 11pm, Cpl. Griner assisted Worth S.O. and Dougherty County Police with the search for a motorist that was suffering a medical emergency. The caller stated she was in a wooded area near Spring Flats Road. After an hour search, the unconscious female was located by a Worth County Sherrif"s deputy and was transported to a hospital in Albany.
CRISP COUNTY While on boating safety patrol near Cedar Creek on Lake Blackshear Cpl. Tommy Lawrence and RFC Randy Davis observed a boat traveling above idle speed within 100 feet of several anchored boats. As they approached the vessel the driver swapped places with a passenger. After further investigation it was found that the original operator was impaired and was arrested or boating under the influence.
For the week of June 27th through July 3rd, Rangers participated in Hurrex 2010, a threeday natural disaster training exercise in Savannah.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TATTNALL COUNTY On July 3rd, RFC Clint Jarriel and Sgt. Don Dasher patrolled the lakes on Big Hammock WMA. One citation was written for operating vessel with improper PFD's.
On July 3rd, RFC Clint Jarriel and Sgt. Don Dasher patrolled the Altamaha River from Tippons Lake to Davis Landing and back to J.E. Stanfield Landing. Many boaters and fisherman were checked and citations written for operating vessel w/o CGA PFD,s and fishing w/o a license.
PIERCE COUNTY On July 2nd, Cpl. Damon Winters assisted the Pierce County Sheriff's Office with a felony arrest warrant and search warrant. Three suspects were arrested and a significant amount of suspected cocaine and marijuana was seized without incident.
CHARLTON COUNTY On July 3rd, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Cpl. Damon Winters conducted a boating safety patrol on the St. Mary's River from Devil's Elbow to the bridge at US Hwy 1. Several boaters and fisherman were checked and most violations observed were satisfied with verbal guidance. A citation and two written warnings were issued for more serious safety infractions.
On July 3rd, RFC Jason Shipes and Cpl. Gary Simmons conducted a boating safety patrol on the St. Mary's River from Buchanan Landing to Camp Pinckney. The officers observed several violations during the concentrated patrol. Most violations observed were handled with verbal guidance with one citation being issued for operating a vessel above idle speed within 100 feet of the bridge pilings at US Hwy 1.

BERRIEN COUNTY On June 2nd, RFC Tim Hutto patrolled Paradise PFA for boating and fishing activity. Two violations were documented for fishing without a license and fishing without a WMA license on a PFA.
LANIER COUNTY On June 3rd, RFC Tim Hutto and RFC Keith McDonald stopped a vehicle on highway 221 in Lakeland for failure to maintain lane. The officers turned the subject over to Lakeland Police Department for failure to maintain lane, driving without a seatbelt, broken taillights, and driving with a suspended license.
On June 3rd, RFC Tim Hutto and RFC Keith McDonald patrolled the Alapaha River in the Naylor and Stockton areas. The patrol resulted in three citations and one warning for operating a vessel without coast guard approved PFD's, and fishing without a license. Ten redbreast and blue gill bream were also confiscated.
BULLOCH COUNTY On July 4th, Sgt. William Vickers and Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to the Ogeechee River above the Hwy 301 Bridge to rescue 4 rafters that had become stranded after one of their rafts failed. The rafters were rescued and returned to the landing. It was discovered that they had failed to carry enough lifejackets and the violation was addressed.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 2nd, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River. As a result of the patrol a total of one boat and two fishing licenses were inspected. No violations were documented.
On July 3rd, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Dave Sims patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of six boats and three fishing licenses were checked. As a result, three violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel without registration, allowing person to ride bow/gunwale, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD.
On July 4th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Dave Sims conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River due to the Holiday. A total of two boats were checked and no violations were documented. Later that evening the officers assisted DNR Region VII with the fireworks show on River Street. A total of eight boats were inspected. Several violations were addressed and handed over to the local rangers. Verbal guidance was given on the boating laws of Georgia and how to obtain a registration.
On July 5th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled river landings along the Ogeechee River. A total of four boats and two fishing licenses were checked. One violation of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD was documented.

APPLING COUNTY For the Fourth of July weekend, RFC Chase Altman and Corporal Jimmy Williams patrolled the Altamaha River from Deens Landing to Carters Bight. Over 30 boats were checked for safety violations and boating under the influence. This patrol resulted in several citations for fishing w/o a license, and two for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On June 20th, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled Redbird Creek and the Ogeechee River in the Ft. McAllister area. One boater was cited for allowing two children under the age of 10 to ride in a moving vessel without wearing life jackets.
CHATHAM COUNTY On June 30th, RFC Buster Cooper and Sgt. Tim Vincent cited an individual for littering. The individual had dumped some trash near Priest Landing.
On July 3rd, Sgt. Tim Vincent and Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the fireworks in the Wilmington River near the Savannah Yacht Club. Cpl. Miller stopped a boat with no stern light. The individual was cited for operating a vessel under the influence and operating a vessel with improper lights.
CAMDEN COUNTY On June 23rd, Cpl. Ron Harris, Cpl. Jesse Cook, RFC Rebekah Huson responded to a call of a vessel with a man and an 11 year old child that was taking on water in St. Andrews Sound near the north tip of Cumberland Island. Upon the officers' arrival in the area, they located the vessel on the ocean side of Cumberland Island. The vessel was partially submerged. The officers immediately got the two occupants onboard their patrol vessel. The US Coast Guard then arrived on scene with a pump. The Coast Guard pumped some of the water out which helped float the vessel. The owner of the vessel requested that Sea Tow be called to pull his boat back to the dock. The officers then transported the two occupants back to the dock.
On June 24th, Cpl Jesse Cook responded to a call of an overturned boat on the Atlantic Ocean in front of Cumberland Island. Upon his arrival Cpl Cook located two men walking down the beach on Cumberland. The men's boat had swamped in the rough water and sank. Cpl Cook and the two men went back to the breakers where the boat had been swamped and located the partially submerged boat. The boat was secured by ropes and towed away from the breakers where it was eventually floated and towed to Jekyll Island.
On July 3rd, Cpl Chris Hodge assisted the Camden County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Unit with maritime security for the annual 4th of July Celebration and fireworks display at the waterfront in St Mary's.

GLYNN COUNTY On June 24th, Cpl. Ron Harris and Sgt. John Harwell worked the Frederica River Boating Safety Zone. The officers cited five people for violating the boating safety zone.
On June 25th, Cpl. Ron Harris and Sgt. John Harwell were checking fisherman in the St. Andrews Beach area when they came upon a group of seiners. One of the seiners attempted to hide a bucket that contained undersize red drum and undersize spotted sea trout. The person was cited for possession of undersize fish.
On June 26th, Cpl. Ron Harris received a call of reckless operation involving a shrimp boat offshore of Jekyll Island. The shrimp boat was dragging its nets approximately 150 yards offshore of the beach endangering swimmers and getting its nets entangled in fisherman's lines. Upon Cpl. Harris's arrival he verified that the shrimp boat was violating the boating safety zone. Cpl. Harris then contacted Sgt. Harwell and Cpl. Cook who responded to the scene by vessel while Cpl. Harris kept it under surveillance. Once on scene, Sgt. Harwell boarded the vessel and cited the operator for violating the boating safety zone.
On June 27th, Sgt. John Harwell and Cpl. Jesse Cook responded to a call that two jets skis had run a ground with two adults and three juveniles onboard them. The officers' responded to the area and located the people. They then got all five people onboard and transported the back safely to the dock.
On June 30th, Cpl. Chris Ridley cited a commercial crabber for placing his traps and commercial crab fishing in closed waters.
On July 2nd, Cpl. Ron Harris, Cpl. Chris Ridley and RFC Mark Carson were working on Jekyll Island when they were notified of a woman on the beach with a possible broken leg. The officers responded to the area and located the injured person. After speaking with her it was determined that she had been involved in a minor boating incident. While standing in the surf a kayak was hit by a wave and was knocked into her. The kayak struck her in the left leg causing a severe bruise or possible break.
On July 3rd, Cpl. Chris Ridley and RFC Mark Carson patrolled the St. Simons Sound area, checking the Frederica River Boating Zone. Several boaters were cited for various violations.
On July 3rd, Cpl. Ron Harris, RFC Rebekah Huson and Wildlife Tech John Evans patrolled the Altamaha River. The officers checked several boats and arrested one person for boating under the influence.

LONG COUNTY On June 19th, while checking fishing without permission complaint at Morgan Lakes in Long County, Cpl Bobby White cited two people for possession over the daily limit of fish, cited two people for fishing without permission, cited two people for fishing without a license and cited one person for operating a boat after hours without lights.
On June 26th, Sgt Bob Lynn and RFC Randy Aspinwall checked 20 boats fishing in the Morgan Lake area. 6 people were cited for fishing without license.