Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report April 17-23, 2011 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 On April 15th, Sgt. John VanLandingham, RFC Eddie Tompkins and RFC Cody Jones testified in a Bond Revocation Hearing against a defendant that was out on bond for child molestation. The officers had arrested the subject earlier in the month for fishing without a license, fishing in a closed trout stream, and public indecency. The defendants bond was revoked. MURRAY COUNTY On April 23rd, Sgt John VanLandingham, Cpl. James Keener, and Cpl Casey Jones worked a detail on Cohutta WMA in reference to several complaints over the past few weeks. During the detail the officers issued four citations for traffic related offenses and for Violation of the GA Open Container Law. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) DAWSON COUNTY On April 21st, Cpl. Jason Roberson was patrolling Dawson Forest WMA at the "Edge of the World". Cpl. Roberson encountered two subjects drinking alcohol in an unauthorized area. The violations were documented and the laws and rules pertaining to WMA's were explained. On April 23rd Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling lake parks and other fishing spots on Lake Lanier for fishing and boating activity. Verbal guidance was given for possession of an undersized bass and two written warnings were issued for fishing without a license. On April 24th RFC Mitchell Crump and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA. The rangers checked horseback riders, hunters and fisherman on the WMA. Violations of horseback riding without a permit, hunting without a WMA license, hunting without a big game license, fishing without a license, fishing without a trout license and fishing with illegal bait/equipment on the "Delayed Harvest Stream" were encountered. Citations and warnings were issued for these infractions. GWINNETT COUNTY On April 23rd Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled the Chattahoochee River by boat. During the patrol the rangers checked 18 boats and 49 fishermen. Violations of fishing without a license, fishing without a trout license, fishing with illegal bait and operating a vessel with unserviceable PFD's were documented. Written warnings and citations were issued for these infractions. FORSYTH COUNTY On April 17th Cpl. Jason Roberson and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling on Lake Lanier when they received a call about a boating accident. The rangers responded and investigated a boating accident where a subject's finger had been caught in one of the lines of the boat. HART COUNTY On April 17th RFC Josh Chambers issued a citation for littering. The subject was charged for throwing a beer can out the window on a dirt road. On April 23rd RFC Josh Chambers issued a citation for illegal use of ATV on a Wildlife Management Area. The subject was riding in unauthorized areas, and over devices to prevent access. FRANKLIN COUNTY On April 23rd RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl Craig Fulghum patrolled Lake Hartwell by boat. Five citations were issued for fishing without licenses during the day. STEPHENS COUNTY On April 22nd Cpl Bill Bunch received a call about a turkey being shot from a public road. Sgt. Stan Elrod and Cpl Craig Fulghum assisted Cpl Bunch with the investigation. Three witnesses were interviewed and two suspects. No charges were made at the time. The investigation continues. JACKSON COUNTY On April 22, RFC Eric Isom graduated from an intensive 11 week K-9 school held in Forsyth, Georgia at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. His K-9, Colt, will be used to detect wildlife, firearms, assist with tracking, and officer protection. Region III- Thomson (East Central) GREENE COUNTY On April 22nd and 23rd, CPL Derrell Worth and RFC Ricky Boles assisted the Georgia State Patrol in license/road checks. Several DUI and drug related arrests were made over the course of this detail as well as other miscellaneous traffic violations. RICHMOND COUNTY On April 23rd, Cpl. Ben Payne checked Phinizy WMA for fishing and hunting activity. A couple of fishing licenses were checked at the area. He also checked a without permission complaint next to the WMA and no contact was made. Later in the afternoon a call came in from a landowner off I-520 of an alligator that had been found dead in a pond. After talking with the landowner an affidavit was filed and an investigation is ongoing. ELBERT COUNTY On April 19th, Cpl. Greg Colson brought to an end a yearlong investigation into the illegal taking of 2 bucks from a high fence area in Elbert County. The subject admitted to shooting 2 bucks from inside a high fence area in Elbert County and dragging them under the fence to the road. The subject also admitted to shooting the deer from the road and from a motor vehicle. Violations included hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and hunting without permission. COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 22nd, Sgt Doyte Chaffin, Cpl Brian Hobbins, and RFC Leroy Ficklin responded to a missing person call on Mistletoe State Park. The missing subject was a 67 year-old male who was late returning home from a fishing trip. The subject was located after a three-hour search. He had been fishing jugs in Cliatts Creek. The subject was fine. Region IV- Macon (West Central) HOUSTON COUNTY On April 18th Cpl. John Harkins investigated a complaint of a goose that was illegally killed the previous day. Harkins found that two juveniles had killed a goose on a pond that was partially owned by their grandfather. Cpl. Harkins gave the two juveniles verbal warnings and talked with the grandparents about the complaint. JASPER COUNTY On April 23rd RFC Billy Bryant, Technician III Freddie Hays, and Refuge Officer Tom Payne worked a detail on the Oconee National Forest. The Officers came across a party of more than 20 people at the Wise Creek Landing. While watching the people it was apparent that most of the group was under the influence of alcohol. At approximately 11:30 p.m., a group of 5 people walked away from the crowd and began doing something on the hood of a car. When the Officers approached the group of five, they found a grinder, rolling papers, a pile of marijuana on the car hood ready to be smoked, and a plastic container with a baggie of marijuana in it. All five subjects were arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail where they were charged with violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. MUSCOGEE COUNTY On April 18th and 23rd RFC Jeremy Bolen checked the fishing activity for Hybrid/White Bass along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. RFC Bolen checked approximately 15 boats and 65 fishing license during the two days. RFC Bolen issued 11 citations for fishing without license, 1 written warning for fishing without license, 1 citation for littering, and arrested 1 subject for interference with the performance of a Ranger's duties and an outstanding warrant for shoplifting. TROUP COUNTY On April 23rd Sgt. Jim Bradfield and RFC Jeremy Bolen checked a property in south Troup County for turkey hunting activity. Cracked corn had been located in several areas on the property as well as evidence that turkey hunters were sporadically hunting the area. No one was located on the property that morning and the bait sample was updated. UPSON COUNTY On April 23, while on routine patrol of Sprewell Bluff State Park, Sgt. Tim Kendrick and Cpl. Susan Morris observed two men fishing. When asked to see their fishing license, they admitted they did not have one. One person was from Illinois and the other was from Alabama, both were given citations for fishing without a license. Region V- Albany (Southwest) DECATUR COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Tony Cox stopped a vessel on the Flint River after observing a passenger riding on the gunwale. The vessel operator was charged with operating a vessel under the influence [under 21 years old], and warned for allowing passengers to ride on the gunwale. On April 17th, RFC Tony Cox observed black smoke coming from an area near the town of Attapulgus. He found an individual burning the remains of an old mobile home, and cited the subject for unlawful burning of waste. EARLY COUNTY On April 22nd, RFC Jeff Phillips checked areas that were documented as being baited for turkeys. One hunter was found and cited for hunting big game over bait and hunting without a non-resident license. BROOKS COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC David Brady and RFC Jon Penuel patrolled the Little River. During the patrol the Rangers documented violations including: fishing without a license, operating a vessel without PFD's and registration issues. BAKER COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Randy Davis and RFC David Brady worked a boating safety patrol on the Flint River. One subject was issued a citation for fishing without a license. On April 23rd, Sgt. David Ruddell and RFC Davis patrolled Chickasawhatchee W.M.A. A subject was issued a written warning for fishing without license. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) LAURENS COUNTY On April 22nd, Cpl. Johnny Ashe completed an investigation of two male subjects who had been hunting turkey out of season and without permission in the Montrose area of Laurens. The two suspects were currently on probation for night hunting charges from November of 2010 and after completing the interviews and collecting evidence, arrest warrants were taken for hunting out of season, hunting from a vehicle, hunting without permission, hunting turkey with illegal weapon and possession of illegally taken wildlife. EFFINGHAM COUNTY On April 25th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. The officers assisted a stranded vessel with two subjects aboard, due to motor malfunctions. They were safely escorted to the landing where they had launched. As a result of the patrol, two vessels were inspected with no violations being documented. EVANS COUNTY On April 19th, RFC Debbie Brannen observed an old house being burned in the area of Hwy 169 just across the Evans line. The Georgia Forestry was called to evaluate the area. Since the fire did not threaten any property or persons it was allowed to burn without extermination. The violator was on scene and admitted to setting the house on fire. A citation was written for unlawful burning of egregious litter. BERRIEN COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 Gauge patrolled Paradise PFA due to a complaint of several individuals fishing in closed ponds. During the patrol RFC Hutto encountered several violations for fishing without a license, fishing without a WMA license on a PFA, taking undersize bass, and fishing in closed waters on a PFA. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) GLYNN COUNTY On April 22nd, CPL Jimmy Finn and RFC Rebekah Huson responded to a call from the Coast Guard requesting assistance with a vessel taking on water off of St. Simons Island. Due to low tide conditions neither vessel was able to reach the stranded boater. A Coast Guard helicopter and basket was used to carry the boater to safety. Further investigation determined the vessel was not damaged and the boater sustained no injuries. BRYAN COUNTY On April 23rd, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Morgan's Bridge area on the Ogeechee River checking fishermen and boaters. No violations were observed. LIBERTY COUNTY On April 23rd, Cpl. Phillip Scott and RFC Jack Thain patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area, issuing citations for fishing without a license and operating a vessel without a registration. They also seized two recreational crab traps for not being properly marked.