Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report August 1-7, 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 August 7th, R.F.C. Byron Young and R.F.C. Brooks Varnell were patrolling Allatoona Lake in the area of the Blockhouse boat ramp. At approximately 9:20 p.m. the officers observed a pontoon traveling without navigation lights displayed. The vessel had one white light displayed on the bow. Upon a vessel stop the officers observed several empty beer cans in the vessel. The operator was found to be under the influence. The operator was placed under arrest and transported to the Bartow County Jail. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) GWINNETT/HALL COUNTY On August 6th-8th, Rangers from Regions 1 and 2 assisted with the FLW Fishing Tour being held on Lake Lanier. Rangers worked at the Expo held at the Gwinnett Center at the "Go Fish Georgia" booth by using the Laser Shot and Fishing Simulator. Rangers assisted the Georgia State Patrol with escorting the fisherman from Laurel Park to the Gwinnett Center for the weigh in each day. Rangers also worked the lake out from Laurel Park and assisted at the park with answering questions and providing security. HALL COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Mark Stephens investigated a boating accident at Aqualand Marina on Lake Lanier. This accident is still under investigation. Later that day, Cpl. Eric Sanders, RFC Eric Isom and RFC Mark Stephens investigated a boating accident where a tube was pulled too close to a sea wall. The tube struck the sea wall with two people on it. This accident is still under investigation. HART COUNTY On August 5, Cpl. Craig Fulghum obtained arrest and search warrants for a residence and one of its residents for hunting without permission in November 2009. The investigation began as a result of a picture taken from a trail camera, where Cpl. Fulghum was able to get the subject identified. Three days after the picture was taken, three trail cameras were stolen from the hunting club. Fulghum, RFC Josh Chambers, and Sgt. Stan Elrod executed the warrants along with two Hart County Sheriff's Office investigators. During the process, one subject encountered had warrants from Hart County and was arrested. After the subject was found that the original warrants were taken on for hunting without permission, a name of who may have taken the cameras was given. Another subject was interviewed about the theft of cameras, during this interview; officers found marijuana growing behind his trailer. He was charged for the marijuana. After interviewing several other subjects, the man arrested for growing marijuana was also charged with the theft of the cameras. The investigation is continuing for more marijuana that was found growing and more charges are pending. Region III- Thomson (East Central) WILKES COUNTY On August 5th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Sgt. Brian Carter began an investigation into a hunting deer at night complaint in Wilkes County. Cpl. Wilkins received a complaint that someone had shot a deer in the complainants pasture on Monday night. Sgt. Carter later received information that 4 juveniles had shot the deer. On Thursday, Cpl. Wilkins and Sgt. Carter interviewed the juveniles who confessed to shooting the deer. There were three 14 year olds and a 17 year old in the vehicle. The seventeen year old said that he was driving and also shot the deer. He was charged with Hunting Deer at Night, Hunting From a Public Road, and Hunting from a Motor Vehicle. WARREN COUNTY On Saturday August 7th, RFC Brian Adams checked several areas where he had previously had fishing without permission complaints. RFC Adams located four subjects fishing in one of these areas. When the officer questioned the subjects they admitted they did not have permission to be fishing in the pond. All four subjects were issued citations for fishing without permission. Region IV- Macon (West Central) FAYETTE COUNTY On the afternoon of August 1st, RFC Travis Sweat was traveling east bound on Hwy 92 when he noticed a disabled vehicle extremely close to the lanes of traffic - a lady with four children was standing at the rear of the vehicle. Sweat activated his emergency lights and pulled behind the vehicle. As it turned out the vehicle's tire had blown out. The woman explained that her husband was overseas and she was having difficulty changing the tire. RFC Sweat quickly and safely changed the tire and was able to get the family back on the road safely. HARRIS COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Jeremy Bolen worked boating patrol on Lake Harding; Bolen issued one citation to the operator of a jet ski for operating a personal watercraft without wearing a life jacket. HEARD COUNTY On August 5th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield picked up an incident report at the Heard County Sheriff's Office regarding a complaint of fishing without permission. Two subjects had driven a truck through private property to access state owned property along Bushead Shoals on the Chattahoochee River. Bradfield called the two subjects by phone later that same day and asked them about the incident. Both claimed that someone had given them permission to use the private road to access the river to fish at that location. They were warned and advised not to return to the area. TROUP COUNTY On August 7th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield patrolled the river below West Point Dam. During this patrol he located four boats fishing the area. None of the boaters were wearing life jackets, which is required due to the area being considered a "hazardous area". All were issued warnings for the infractions. Region V- Albany (Southwest) BROOKS COUNTY On August 1st, while returning home from vacation with his family, RFC Jon Penuel was just a few miles from his residence when he approached from the rear a vehicle that was being driven erratically. As the vehicle continued down the road, it ran off in the grass and even traveled in the oncoming lane for a while. As RFC Penuel neared his home the subject vehicle then turned onto the same road as Penuel's residence and then into the driveway of a neighboring residence. RFC Penuel continued to his residence only to receive a phone call a short time later from the neighbor stating that there was a drunken man in her yard and he would not leave. RFC Penuel immediately went over to the neighbor's yard and made contact with the intoxicated subject. After talking with the subject briefly, RFC Penuel made contact with TFC Ed Shiver with the Georgia State Patrol and advised him of the incident. Trooper Shiver arrived at the residence and arrested the subject for driving under the influence and driving without a license. The subject's alcohol level was found to be over three times the legal limit for driving. On August 1st, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey was working a litter detail on the Little River. Two subjects were observed throwing beer-cans onto the riverbank. Both were charged littering. BAKER COUNTY On August 1st, RFC Randy Davis conducted a boating safety patrol on the Flint River. Two vessel operators were issued written warnings for operating a vessel with insufficient life jackets. Three life jackets were loaned to the boat operators. On August 2nd, RFC Randy Davis was patrolling Baker County, when he observed black smoke coming from a fire behind a residence. The owner of the residence was issued a written warning for unlawful dumping/burning. DECATUR COUNTY On August 1st, RFC Tony Cox and RFC Jeff Phillips responded to a call of an injured subject on Spring Creek. The male subject attempted to tie a rope swing up in a tree, when he fell approximately 20 feet, landing on cypress tree roots. The subject suffered severe facial injuries and a compound fracture to his leg. On August 7th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Tony Cox stopped a vessel on the Flint River to advise the operator that the small child on board was required to wear a life jacket. The vessel operator showed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety exercises. He was arrested for BUI and child endangerment. EARLY COUNTY On August 1st, RFC Tony Cox and RFC Jeff Phillips responded to a boat incident on the Chattahoochee River at Andrews Lock and Dam. A vessel hit a dredge line and the operator got in a verbal altercation with the dredge operator. The vessel operator was arrested for BUI. GRADY COUNTY On August 4th, Cpl. Mike Binion assisted the Grady Co. Sheriff's Office at the scene of a murder/suicide. RANDOLPH COUNTY RFC Bob Holley was patrolling Randolph County on the afternoon of August 6th, when he heard an "officer needs assistance" call on his radio. Two Randolph County deputies were attempting to arrest an individual for outstanding warrants when the suspect escaped into the woods. RFC Holley arrived to assist and began following the man's trail. After tracking him for several miles Holley apprehended the suspect and turned him over to Sheriff's Deputies. QUITMAN COUNTY Cpl. B.J. Foster and Cpl. Steve Robinson attended a meeting for Alabama alligator hunters on Saturday, August 7th. The Rangers joined officials from Alabama, Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge and Ft. Benning to brief hunters on laws and boundaries pertaining to the upcoming Alabama alligator season. Cpl. B. J. Foster and RFC Bob Holley conducted separate boat patrols on Lake George on Saturday, August 7th. Cpl. Foster issued a citation and two warnings for fishing without a license and possession of undersized fish. During his patrol, RFC Holley cited two nonresident fishermen for fishing without licenses. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) TELFAIR COUNTY On August 8th, RFC James McLaughlin responded to a drowning at the Jacksonville Landing are on the Ocmulgee River. Several officers from two work sections assisted in the search along with several local agencies and dive teams. The 13-year-old body of a Hispanic male was recovered at approximately 8:00 pm. The body was turned over to the Telfair County EMA. CLINCH COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Jason Shipes and Sgt. Patrick Dupree patrolled for boating and fishing activity along the Suwannee River from Fargo to Stephen Foster State Park. Several boaters were checked with only minor violations. One boater was given verbal guidance related to the condition of the life jackets onboard his vessel. PIERCE COUNTY On August 3rd, Cpl. Damon Winters received a call from Pierce County 911 about a fire in the Owens area suspected to be illegally set. Cpl. Winters interviewed the suspect and issued a warning for unlawful dumping. The suspect was also advised to clean up the burn site. COFFEE COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Hilton was on routine boating safety patrol on the Ocmulgee River when he encountered three individuals who were fishing. Two individuals were issued warnings for fishing without a license and one individual was issued a citation for violation of the Ga. Controlled Substance Act. BULLOCH COUNTY On August 3rd, Cpl. Dave Sims responded to a landowners complaint of fishing without permission on Black Creek. Four individuals were detained, identified and escorted off the property. Violations were documented for fishing without a license and fishing without permission. On July 30th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a call of an illegal burn of a house trailer. Upon arriving at the scene officer collected evidence and talked with the subject(s) involved. No violations were documented in reference to an ongoing investigation. On August 8th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins concluded the investigation on the illegal burning of a house trailer. Two violations of unlawful burning of waste were documented. EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 30th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings along the Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers, as well as, local creeks for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of four boats and four fishing licenses were checked. As a result of the inspection five violations were documented consisting of operating a vessel 100 foot of object/shore above idle speed, operating vessel without registration, and fishing without a license. On August 1st, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River. A total of six boats were inspected. Two violations were addressed consisting of operating a vessel 100 foot of object/shore above idle speed and issues of an over loaded vessel. On August 7th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of thirty boats and five fishing licenses were checked. Twelve violations were addressed consisting of operating a vessel 100 foot of object/shore above idle speed, operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness, operating a vessel with insufficient life-jackets, fishing without a license, and operating a vessel without registration. On August 8th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled river landings along the Savannah and Ogeechee. As a result, eleven boats and four fishing licenses were checked. One violation of operating a vessel with insufficient lifejackets was documented. SCREVEN COUNTY On August 7th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely responded to a request for assistance from Screven Sheriffs Dept. Investigators. Cpl. McNeely and the Investigators searched a wooded area off Hudson's Ferry rd. after a landowner reported suspicious activity on his property. The officers found 197 marijuana plants growing in a single row in a stand of planted pines. The marijuana was pulled, transported to the Screven County Jail, and destroyed. COFFEE COUNTY On July 27th, RFC Tim Hutto checked several areas along the Satilla and 17 Mile Rivers. The patrol resulted in four violations for fishing without a license and possession of illegally taken fish. Twenty-one bream, redbreast, and crappie were also confiscated and released. ATKINSON COUNTY On August 6th, RFC Tim Hutto was checking subjects fishing on highway 64 at the Satilla River Bridge when he observed someone throw a beer bottle from a vehicle on the highway almost striking another vehicle. The subject was stopped and arrested for littering and violation of Georgia's open container law. COOK COUNTY On July 25th, Cpl. Greg Moody was patrolling Reed Bingham State Park Lake and observed a boat towing two tubes. Neither of the two subjects riding on the tubes had on lifejackets. Upon further inspection of the towing, vessel only one lifejacket was located. The operator was cited, and warned, and was given a handbook of Georgia Boating Laws. On July 31st, Cpl. Greg Moody and RFC Keith McDonald were conducting a boating safety and law enforcement patrol at Reed Bingham State Park. They observed Park Manager Suzanne Passmore run out of the office and signal them to follow her. An elderly man was experiencing heat exhaustion problems. Upon arriving at the site the officers lifted him up and placed him on a picnic table, elevating his feet. They applied wet towels on the victim and cooled him down until the ambulance arrived. He recovered and was not transported. LOWNDES COUNTY On July 26th, RFC Keith McDonald received a call from Lowndes 911 in reference to a possible drowning on the Withlacoochee River. The victim had been swimming with friends at a popular swimming hole. RFC McDonald worked closely with the Lowndes County Fire and Rescue Unit to recover the body. The victim was found early the next morning. BERRIEN COUNTY On August 7th, RFC Tim Hutto stopped to assist a motorist on highway 168 who appeared to be having car trouble. After talking with the subject he determined that the subject was under the influence of alcohol and had actually pulled over to get a beer out of the back of his vehicle. The subject was arrested and turned over to the Georgia State Patrol for DUI. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) CAMDEN COUNTY On July 30th, RFC Craig Smith responded to Crooked River boat ramp in reference to a subject operating a vessel above idle speed within 100' of a dock. Upon arrival RFC Smith made contact with the vessel operator and noticed that he had a 4 year old in the vessel without a life jacket on. The vessel was taken to a private dock and the operator was cited for allowing a child to ride in vessel without a life jacket and also for operating a vessel while privileges suspended. CHATHAM COUNTY On July 31st, RFC Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller were patrolling the Skidaway River area. The rangers stopped an offshore fishing vessel and checked their safety equipment and fish on board. There were five people on the boat and four of them were cited for possession of undersized fish. The rangers confiscated 12 undersized black sea bass. MCINTOSH COUNTY On July 31st, Sgt Bob Lynn, Cpl Jimmy Finn, and RFC Randy Aspinwall conducted a Gray's Reef patrol. Eight boats were checked with no violations found. WAYNE COUNTY On July 30th, RFC Randy Aspinwall responded to search and rescue on the Altamaha River around Jaycee Landing. The boat and stranded people were located and returned back to the landing.