Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report May 8-14, 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) BARTOW COUNTY On May 7th, Sgt. Mike Barr received a call from the State Operations Center to call a boater on Lake Allatoona about a missing person. When Sgt. Barr spoke with the young man, he was told that a passenger in a boat had become upset and got out of his boat at the I-75 bridge and was walking north on I-75. The caller was somewhat disorientated and kept referring to" notifying the police because of evidence". Sgt. Barr contacted RFC Brooks Varnell who met the man at the Allatoona Landing main office. RFC Varnell also found the man to be very disorientated and when asked to search him, found suspected methamphetamine on him. Sgt. Barr contacted a Bartow County Deputy who also arrived on the scene and asked for permission to search the person's vehicle. He had lost his vehicle key, so he quickly took a hammer and busted out his own window on his vehicle. The Deputy and RFC Varnell found more suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle. The missing person was located walking up I-75 and also found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. The deputy arrested both men for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act. DOUGLAS COUNTY On May 14th, RFC Byron Young and Sgt. Mike Barr traveled to Sweetwater Creek State Park to assist with Representative Roger Bruce's annual fishing and picnic event. RFC Young and Sgt. Barr give demonstrations on life jacket use and gave rides in the DNR patrol boat to many who had never previously been in a boat. Over 200 kids and adults enjoyed the law enforcement boat rides. MURRAY COUNTY On May 13th, Cpl. Casey Jones arrested a Murray County man for DUI, violation of the Georgia Open Container Law and driving without a license. Cpl. Jones was patrolling Cohutta WMA when the driver of a blue Honda Accord drove past his location. Cpl. Jones observed that the driver was having trouble keeping the car running, as it was continually staling and stopping in the road. Cpl. Jones followed the car until it again stalled and stopped in the middle of the road then activated his blue lights to give assistance. It was determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol after he failed field sobriety exercises. The driver was arrested and booked at the Murray County Jail. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) DAWSON COUNTY On May 11th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck called Sgt. Lee Brown for assistance on Dawson Forest WMA on the City of Atlanta Tract. Sgt. Brown contacted RFC Mitchell Crump and had him go and assist Wildlife Technician III Shattuck. Wildlife Technician III Shattuck had found several subjects that had driven around signs and into a food plot. Citations were issued for this infraction. Also, written warnings were issued for riding horses off of the trail and not for purchasing a permit before riding. FORSYTH COUNTY On May 14th, Cpl. Jason Roberson taught a Boating Safety Class. During this class a total of 8 students were certified after completion of this course. On May 14th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. The rangers checked several boats and fisherman. During their patrol they issued several warnings for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without registration and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's. Also, these rangers assisted a vessel that was overloaded to return back to Tidwell Park. The rangers put two of passengers into their patrol vessel and took them to Tidwell Park while the other subjects brought the boat safely back to the park. HALL COUNTY On May 13th, Sgt. Burgamy's CAT Team conducted SAR Training on Don Carter State Park. Sgt Brown, Cpl. Roberson, RFC Vickery, RFC Crump, RFC Sartor, and RFC Isom with K-9 Colt were in attendance. The training lasted approximately 4 hours. On May 14th, Cpl. Roberson and Sgt. Burgamy responded to Lake Lanier for a SAR call at 0030. Two subjects had beached their boat on a sand bar and were located just across from Holiday Marina. Both were taken to Aqualand Marina where Sgt. Burgamy was able to contact someone to pick them up. At 0800, RFC Stephens and Sgt. Burgamy conducted a shooting program with the Boy Scouts at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Gillsville. Approximately 12 boys earned their shooting badges. On May 15th, Sgt. Burgamy was on patrol at Ramsey's Lake in north Hall County when he observed four Hispanic males fishing without permission. When he made eye contact with them, they tried to flee and help was requested from Gainesville P.D. The subjects made it back to their vehicle before Sgt. Burgamy could catch up however, Gainesville P.D. was able to make a traffic stop. When Sgt. Burgamy arrived on scene, he located several fishing rods, bait and tackle, and a cooler, which contained 169 bream. All four subjects were charged with fishing without permission. Region III- Thomson (East Central) ELBERT COUNTY On Friday May 13, Cpl. Julian Wilkins presented a water safety program to the second and third grade students at Doves Creek Elementary School in Elberton. Cpl. Wilkins talked about being safe while fishing around a lake as well as boating safety and laws. OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Saturday May 14, RFC Phillip Nelson, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, and Sgt. Matt Garthright provided mini boat rides and talked about boating and water safety at the annual National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes day at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 13th, RFC Robert Timmerman completed an investigation of a bow fisherman shooting game fish on Clarks Hill Lake. One subject was cited for fishing by illegal methods and illegally taking of game fish. On May 14th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman arrested a subject for driving without a license and driving on the wrong side of the road. On May 15th, Cpl. Ryan Swain cited a subject for reckless operation of a PWC and operation of a vessel with expired registration near Wildwood Park on Clarks Hill Lake. LINCOLN COUNTY On May 13th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman assisted Lincoln County Sheriff's Office with the service of a search warrant for illegal weapons near Fishing Creek on Clarks Hill Lake. On May 15, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Cpl. Ryan Swain warned two subjects on the Price Legg Bridge for Gigging Game Fish on Clarks Hill Lake. One subject had gigged himself in the hand. The subject was advised by the Rangers to seek medical attention after the subject declined the dispatch of an ambulance. GLASCOCK COUNTY On May 13th, RFC Brian Adams conducted 14 Information and Educational programs for the County School System on Deer Rescue Dangers. NEWTON COUNTY On May 14, RFC Ricky Boles and RFC Larry Mills participated in the National Wild Turkey Federation-Jakes Day Event at Charlie Elliott. Over 1,700 adults and children enjoyed the event. They worked with kids at the Laser Shot Booth. GREENE COUNTY On May 10th, Cpl. Derrell Worth presented information and education boating safety programs to approximately 100 students at Union Point Elementary. On May 11th, Cpl. Worth presented 3 Boating Safety and 1 Wildlife program to students at Lake Oconee Academy. On May 12th, Cpl. Worth concluded an investigation involving two residents that were illegally turkey hunting. The investigation resulted in citing the two individuals with Hunting w/o a Big Game License, Hunting w/o a license, and Hunting without a WMA license. On May 13th, Cpl. Worth cited 4 individuals with illegal target practice on a WMA. The violations occurred at the Red Lands WMA. On May 14th, Cpl. Worth and Sgt. Harwell patrolled Lake Oconee. Three subjects were cited for fishing w/o a license and one individual was cited for operating with improper lights during the hours of darkness. Region IV- Macon (West Central) JASPER COUNTY On May 12th RFC Billy Bryant, Tech III Freddie Hays along with Wildlife Biologist and Program Coordinator for Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center Rusty Garrison taught a CDROM Hunter Education Class in the Visitors Center at Charlie Elliott. On May 13th RFC Billy Bryant and Tech III Freddie Hays participated in Career Day at the Primary School in Jasper County. Bryant and Hays told the students about enforcing game laws, catching nuisance wildlife, and gave each class a K-9 Demonstration. On May 14th RFC Billy Bryant and K-9 Drake presented a K-9 Demonstration for Jakes Day at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. Spectators were shown two of the nine disciplines the DNR K-9s are trained in. Article search and wildlife detection exercises were displayed. MONROE COUNTY On May 9th Corporal Tony Wynne and Ranger First Class Keith Page went to Samuel Hubbard Elementary School for the school's Career Fair. Wynne and Page talked to a total of 11 classes explaining what Conservation Rangers do in their daily duties and the equipment that they use to help them do their jobs. MUSCOGEE COUNTY On May 14th RFC Mitch Oliver and RFC Jeremy Bolen conducted boating safety checks near a marina on Lake Oliver. During the inspection RFC Bolen checked a boat operator who he had previously arrested twice for boating under the influence; Bolen also had arrested the subject for operating a vessel while privileges suspended. After learning the subject's boating privileges were still not re-instated, officers arrested the subject for operating a vessel while privileges suspended. The subject was transported to the Muscogee County jail. Region V- Albany (Southwest) Region VI- Metter (Southeast) LANIER/ BERRIEN COUNTIES On May 11th and 15th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 "Gauge" patrolled areas along the Alapaha River and at Paradise PFA. The two patrols resulted in over thirty violations being detected for fishing without a license, non-resident fishing without a license, non-resident fishing without a WMA license on a PFA, resident fishing without a WMA license on a PFA, taking undersize bass, operating a vessel with insufficient life jackets, and obstruction of an officer. RFC Hutto also located a subject for the Lanier County Sheriff's office on the Alapaha River who had numerous warrants for the sale of cocaine. ATKINSON COUNTY On May 14th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 "Gauge" were called to assist in searching for a missing juvenile in Pearson. The subject was found unharmed and returned to his father. JENKINS COUNTY On May 15th, Sgt Don Dasher and Cpl Jon Barnard patrolled boat landings on the Ogeechee River inspecting 9 fishermen and 7 boats and issuing 2 cases and four warnings for various boating violations. PIERCE COUNTY On May 14th, Cpl. Damon Winters presented a program using the fishing simulator at the "Summer in the City" festival in Blackshear. Over one hundred children and a few adults enjoyed the fishing experience. Also on May 14th, Cpl. Winters received a call about unlawful burning in Pierce County. Cpl. Winters arrived at the location and discovered an individual burning illegal debris. One citation was issued for the violation. WARE COUNTY On May 12th, RFC Jason Shipes assisted the Governor's Task Force and the Ware County Sheriff's Department in the search for illegal marijuana growing near a residence in the Millwood area. The search continued on May 13th with Sgt. Patrick Dupree & Cpl. Gary Simmons assisting. Law enforcements efforts thus far have resulted in the confiscation of over 300 marijuana plants, thirteen pounds of processed marijuana and fifteen illegally possessed firearms. BULLOCH COUNTY On May 1st, Sgt. William Vickers checked boats at Oliver Bridge Landing on the Ogeechee River after sundown. A total of three boats returned to the landing. Two violations were detected. One individual was cited for fishing without license and another boater was cited for operating a vessel with insufficient lifejackets. All of the vessel operators were given verbal guidance reference the requirement for use of proper lighting while operating a vessel during the hours of darkness. EFFINGHAM COUNTY On April 30th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Savannah River from Abercorn Landing to Tuckaseeking King Landing and back. A total of 30 boats and 40 fishing license were checked. Two violations for fishing without a license were documented. EVANS COUNTY On May 7th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Sgt. William Vickers checked fishing along the Canoochee River. One warning for operating a vessel without lifejackets was issued. Licenses and vessels were also checked on the Evans County public fishing area. One violation was documented for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license. On May 1st, RFC Debbie Brannen conducted a brief investigation on a turkey hunter from Florida. One violation was documented for non-resident hunting big game without a non-resident big game license. On May 13th, Sergeant William Vickers and Cpl Eddie Akins encountered four subjects at a boat landing on the Canoochee River near Hwy 169. Upon approaching the subjects a male and female stepped away from a vehicle and tried to conceal something. After a brief search a small quantity of marijuana was discovered on the ground. The owner could not be determined, so the contraband was seized and will be destroyed. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) LONG COUNTY In the early morning hours of May 8, Sgt Bob Lynn responded to a stranded boater call from Long County's 911 center. Sgt Lynn put his boat on the Altamaha River at the Long County Landing to locate the stranded boater. The boater and two passengers were located down river and towed back to the landing. The boater had spent all night on the river before calling 911 for assistance. WAYNE COUNTY On May 14, RFC Randy Aspinwall was patrolling the Upper County Landing. As he pulled into the parking lot, he saw a suspicious person looking into the back of a truck. The person upon seeing the ranger immediately got into his vehicle and pulled off. RFC Aspinwall ran his tag and found that the vehicle did not have insurance and the registration was suspended. RFC Aspinwall then stopped the vehicle. The driver had a suspended driver's license and his passenger had 2 warrants. Both subjects were taken into custody and turned over to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Later on that same date, RFC Aspinwall was checking boats as they came in to Upper County Landing. He saw a pontoon boat come in and did a safety inspection on the vessel. The operator of the vessel appeared to be impaired. Field sobriety exercises were performed and the operator failed all exercises. He was then transported to the Wayne County Jail where he was later charged with boating under the influence. CAMDEN COUNTY On May 14, Cpl. Jesse Cook, along with approximately 100 volunteers, participated in Keep Camden Beautiful clean-up day. This clean-up is part of the Keep Georgia Beautiful campaign. WAYNE COUNTY On May 13, Region VII Critical Action Team I conducted an exercise on the Altamaha River. The exercise consisted of a real world scenario and used a role player for realism. The DNR Critical Action Teams are used during statewide disaster responses and on a localized basis for emergency responses that requires extra manpower. Team Members include Sgt. Chris Hodge, Cpl. Jesse Cook, Cpl. Cindy Miller, Cpl. Phillip Scott, RFC Rebekah Huson, RFC Buster Cooper, Technician Ed Van Otteran, Technician Wayne Hubbard and Technician Daryl Hartley.