Field operations weekly report, 2011 May 22-28

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 22-28, 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 23rd, Sgt. Mike Barr responded to a report of a boat crash at Holiday Marina. Sgt. Barr found an Aztec ski boat lodged into the barrier sea wall and had been headed in a path directly towards the gas dock. Sgt. Barr found evidence of alcohol on board. Cpl. Chip Cox radioed surrounding counties to look out for the driver which witnesses stated was driving a Jeep Cherokee and pulling a red boat trailer without a boat. An employee at Sonic in Acworth called 911 and reported a man in a Jeep Cherokee and boat trailer who had passed out at the wheel. When approached, he stated he had been in a boat accident on Allatoona and needed to get out of the county. He reportedly left again driving. Another report to 911 stated a person had crashed into a car on I-75 at Windy Hill and hit it with a boat trailer. Another report to Sandy Springs 911 reported two men arguing on I-285 and one was in a Jeep Cherokee pulling a boat trailer. Cobb County PD responded and arrested the driver for suspected DUI. Sgt. Barr and Cpl. Cox found the suspected operator of the crashed boat at Kennesaw Hospital. The boating crash is under investigation by DNR Law Enforcement.
On May 28th, RFC Byron Young and RFC Bart Hendrix were responding to a sinking boat near Park Marine. On the way, they witnessed a run-a-bout ski boat throw a Miller Lite beer can littering into the lake. Before they could get the boat stopped, the boat and its two male occupants turned hard left and almost hit another boat traveling the opposite way. The Rangers estimated the boats were under power and within 25 feet of each other narrowly avoiding a crash. RFC Young and Hendrix stopped the boat which had multiple beer cans thrown on the floor of the boat. The operator stated he was changing his radio and not paying attention to the oncoming boat. The operator was given field sobriety exercises and found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and charged with boating under the influence of alcohol and reckless operation of a vessel.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On May 28th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck and Wildlife Technician II Brandon Walls patrolled Dawson Forest WMA. The Technicians started their day patrolling the City of Atlanta Tract. The officers encountered subjects riding horses without purchasing a permit and subjects driving around a gate. Citations were issues for the horse riding infractions and a citation for driving around the gate.
Later in the afternoon the officers patrolled the Amicalola River Access on Hwy 53. They walked the trail down to the shoals known as the Edge of the World and encountered subjects that were illegally consuming alcohol. Two subjects were issued citations for unlawful consumption of alcohol on a WMA. Also, two other subjects were issued citations for possession of alcohol by an under aged person.

FORSYTH COUNTY On May 27th, Sgt. Lee Brown and an intern met with other rangers at Aqua Land Marina on Lake Lanier for a media event. This event was to kick off the start of the boating season. A BUI demonstration was presented along with the media riding along with the Rangers and the Hall County Sheriff's Office Maine Patrol.
Later in the evening Sgt. Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump patrolled Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. One warning was issued for fishing without a license.
On May 28th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled Lake Lanier for boating and fishing violations. Citations and warnings were issued for failure to obey regulatory marker, children under 10 years of age not wearing a life jacket, failure to display registration number and operating a vessel without lights after dark. The rangers also towed a PWC back to their dock in the back of Baldridge Creek after it had broken down.
RFC Mitchell Crump was patrolling the Chestatee River portion of Lake Lanier when he was called about a raccoon at one of the parks on the lake. Once on the scene it was determined that the raccoon needed to be remove for the safety of the persons using the park. Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck and Wildlife Technician II Brandon Walls responded and handled the situation with the raccoon.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On May 25th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was patrolling Randy Poynter Lake. The lake is closed on Wednesday for fishing. Cpl. Sanders caught two subjects fishing. Citations were issued for this infraction.
RABUN COUNTY On May 29th, Wildlife Technician Brandon Walls assisted the USFS at Tallulah River and Wildcat Creek. The USFS officers wrote multiple citations, 5 felony drug charges, 5 misdemeanor drug charges. Brandon Walls made 1 misdemeanor drug case and 1 DUI arrest.
HALL COUNTY On Saturday, May 28th Cpl. Roberson responded to a drowning at Burton Mill Park in Hall County on Lake Lanier. The Victim was a 17 year old male who apparently attempted to swim too far.
On May 28th, Cpl. Jason Roberson and RFC Eric Isom patrol Lake Lanier by boat. They worked and assisted Hall County Fire and Rescue Dive Team on a drowning at Burton Mill Park. Cpl. Roberson and RFC Isom also towed a stranded vessel to shore with four occupants in Shoal Creek. They stopped twenty-five vessels during their patrol giving verbal guidance, written warnings, and citations. One subject was arrested for boating under the influence.

On May 28th, RFC Mark Stephens and RFC Eric Isom responded to an afterhours call in reference to a rescue on Lake Lanier. RFC Stephens and RFC Isom were able to locate the caller on an island in Flat Creek. They transported five people back to Sunrise Cove Marina.
On May 29th, RFC Eric Isom and an intern patrolled Lake Lanier. They stopped fifteen vessels during their patrol giving verbal guidance, written warnings, and citations. One subject was arrested for boating under the influence.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
LINCOLN COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl Ryan Swain responded to an abandoned vessel complaint on the Little River Bridge Causeway. Cpl. Swain detected a vessel along with two subjects. Cpl. Swain observed the two subjects gigging catfish. This has been a growing practice on Clarks Hill Lake. The two subjects were cited for taking fish using unlawful methods and warned for fishing without a license on person.
On May 28th, Cpl Ryan Swain and Wildlife Tech III Mark Patterson apprehended 6 subjects operating ATV's on Fishing Creek WMA without authorization. Two subjects were warned for the ATV's and warned for having alcohol on a WMA.
On May 29th, Cpl Brian Hobbins and RFC Leroy Ficklin assisted a lost boater on the Savannah River.
WILKES COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and RFC Niki Spencer presented boating safety and gun safety courses for the Wilkes and Lincoln County Farm Safety Day in Washington. Approximately 100 kids attended the event.
ELBERT COUNTY On May 28th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, Sgt. Brian Carter, and Cpl. Greg Colson patrolled Lake Richard B. Russell for the Memorial Day Weekend. The Rangers provided assistance to several boats that had become stranded. They also encountered numerous violations of the State Boating Safety laws.
GREENE COUNTY May 28, CPL Derrell Worth and RFC Larry Mills stopped a PWC for operating after hours. After further investigation, the operator was charged with BUI and operating a PWC after hours. The operator was transported to the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

LAKE OCONEE On May 29th, CPL David Allen and RFC Nikki Spencer investigated a boating incident with injuries that occurred on the Putnam County side of Lake Oconee. After further investigation, it was determined the incident occurred while docking a vessel. A boating incident form was completed and no charges were filed.
MORGAN COUNTY On May 30th, RFC Ricky Boles responded to fishing without permission complaint in Morgan County. After further investigation, the individuals were trespassing on private property to get to the Georgia Power right of way. RFC Boles charged the individuals for fishing with a gill net and taking game fish with a cast net.
SAVANNAH RIVER RICHMOND/BURKE COUNTY Over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Sgt. Max Boswell, Cpl. Michael Crawley, RFC Grant Matherly, and RFC Jeff Billips, Captain Thomas Barnard patrolled the Savannah River in Richmond and Burke County. No activity was reported.
BURKE COUNTY On May 11th, RFC Jeffrey Billips was contacted by the Georgia Forestry Commission in reference to a wildfire that had started at a dumpsite on neighboring property. RFC Billips observed the chopped cab of a pickup truck in the middle of the burn pile in the back yard of the residence. RFC Billips also observed more cut up truck body parts and various cutting tools directly behind the residence. RFC Billips spoke with one of the residents who denied any knowledge of the fire or truck. RFC Billips contacted the Burke County Sheriff's office and requested an investigator. Investigators from the Sheriff's Office and Waynesboro Police Department arrived and confirmed the truck was stolen from Waynesboro on 5/15/11. RFC Billips assisted the investigators in locating additional truck parts scattered on the property as well as a marijuana plant. A search warrant was conducted on the residence and additional stolen property was recovered.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On May 27th, RFC Eric Isom was traveling on Hwy 78 when he noticed a little girl walking along the Hwy. RFC Isom stopped and saw that the five year old girl had no shoes on and was crying. She stated that she was trying to walk to the store where her mom was and that her uncle who was watching her was asleep. RFC Isom took the girl back to her residence in his patrol vehicle and called Oglethorpe Sherriff's Office for assistance.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On the evening of May 28th, Sgt. Bo Kelly, Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Ranger Freddy Hayes were patrolling the Island Creek area of Lake Sinclair when they stopped a boat for a lighting violation. Further investigation led to the subject being arrested for operating a vessel under the influence.

BIBB COUNTY On the night of May 28th, Cpl. John Harkins and Wildlife Technician Greg Wade were conducting boating patrol on Lake Tobesofkee when they observed a boat with improper lights. As they approached the boat they saw that it was pulling a tube with two riders. The operator was issued a citation for pulling a skier between sunset and sunrise.
HARRIS COUNTY On May 28th RFC Jeremy Bolen was patrolling on Lake Harding for boating violations when he stopped a vessel after dark for operating without a stern light. During the boating stop RFC Bolen detected alcohol on the boat operator. After field sobriety exercises were administered, the boat operator was arrested and charged for operating a vessel under the influence as well as operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
On May 28th RFC Mitch Oliver and Sgt. Ezra Wyche were patrolling Lake Harding when they observed a boat being operated without its stern light after sunset. RFC Oliver pulled alongside the vessel to speak with the operator about the violation and noticed that the operator had been drinking alcohol. After a boating safety inspection and subsequent field sobriety screening of the operator, he was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and operating a vessel after sunset without lights.
HOUSTON COUNTY On May 28th, while checking anglers, RFC Tim Butler discovered a fisherman with multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. Butler placed the individual into custody and turned him over to the Houston County Sheriff's Department.
MONROE COUNTY On May 27th, RFC Jeremy Bolen and RFC Brooks Varnell performed Honor Guard duties at the Peace Officer Memorial service, which was held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Governor Deal, along with the other honor guard members, presented medals to ten separate families who had lost a loved-one in the line of duty.
PULASKI COUNTY On May 25th, RFC Tim Butler assisted the Governors Drug Task Force with locating marijuana plants. Fourteen plants were discovered and destroyed.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the evening of May 27th Cpl. Bill Goodson, Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly patrolled Lake Sinclair. Numerous violations were recorded. Additionally, one subject was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence and transported to the Putnam County Jail.

On the afternoon of May 28th Cpl. Bill Goodson and Wildlife Technician Freddy Hayes responded to a boating incident near Cedar Creek on Lake Sinclair. A pontoon boat had collided with a PWC and had injured the PWC operator. The pontoon operator was charged with reckless operation. Later that same evening Cpl. Bubba Stanford, Sgt. Bo Kelly, and Technichian Freddy Hayes stopped a boat for a light violation. As the rangers were approaching the boat, the operator walked away from the wheel and another subject took the wheel. Further investigation led to both subjects being arrested for operating a vessel under the influence. They were transported to the Putnam County Jail.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY On May 22nd, RFC Clint Martin and RFC Harold Hill responded to a boating incident on Lake Blackshear at the Loran Williams Park area. While attempting to board the vessel from the stern, the man received severe lacerations from the motor's propeller on his left arm and his left leg. The man was treated for his injuries at Crisp Regional Hospital.
On May 28th, Capt. Jeff Swift and Cpl. Tommy Lawrence were patrolling Lake Blackshear when they observed a boat operator violate a no wake zone. The vessel was stopped and the operator arrested after it was determined he was operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol.
On May 28th, RFC David Brady and RFC Harold Hill were patrolling on Lake Blackshear when they observed a PWC spray another vessel. After stopping the PWC, the operator was charged with reckless operation of a vessel.
CLAY COUNTY On the evening of May 28th, RFC Atchley and Sgt. Potter were patrolling the Gopher Island area of Lake George when they observed a personal watercraft violating the "100 foot" rule. The Rangers stopped the vessel and noticed the operator displayed signs of impairment. After failing field sobriety exercises he was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The boat operator's blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.
DECATUR COUNTY On May 22nd, Sgt. Rick Sellars, RFC Tony Cox, RFC Jeff Phillips, and RFC Jon Penuel patrolled the Flint River to detect impaired boat operators. One person was arrested and cited for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol.
On May 25th, Cpl Mike Binion responded to a 911 call about a subject that had jumped from a bridge into the Flint River. He met officers from the Decatur County Sheriff's Office and then patrolled the area into the night. The following day, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Tony Cox assisted the Sheriff's Office dive team as they conducted searches around the bridge. The DNR Side Scan Sonar team was also utilized in an attempt to locate the subject. Information was later received that the jumper had swam out and been picked up.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
CHARLTON COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Damon Winters received a call from the Charlton County Sheriff's Office in reference to a drowning at Trader's Hill Landing on the St. Mary's River. Cpl. Winters responded to the scene and coordinated the recovery effort. Assets from Charlton County and Camden County assisted in the recovery. The victim, an 18-year-old male, was located using Side Scan Sonar and recovered by divers from the Camden County Sheriff's Office.
On May 28th, Cpl. Damon Winters, RFC Jason Shipes, Cpl. Gary Simmons & Sgt. Patrick Dupree patrolled the St. Mary's & Satilla rivers for boating safety due to the holiday weekend activity. Several boaters were checked and violations for operating above idle speed within 100' of a boat ramp, allowing an underage person to ride in a vessel without wearing PFD and operating vessel with insufficient PFD's were documented.
On May 29th, Cpl. Gary Simmons worked a joint detail with Florida FWC on the St. Mary's River. Florida FWC officers and Cpl. Simmons checked 25 vessels. Violations for insufficient PFD's, towing skier with PWC without observer on board and operating vessel without registration numbers displayed were addressed. Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl. Damon Winters & RFC Jason Shipes patrolled Trader's Hill, Camp Pickney & Burnt Fort landings for boating safety violations. Several boaters were issued verbal guidance for various violations.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 28th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for holiday weekend activity. A total of eight boats and six fishing licenses were checked. As a result of the inspection, two violations were documented. The violations consisted of fishing without a license and operating a vessel without registration.
On May 29th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins continued patrolling the Savannah River for holiday weekend activity. A total of eight boats and six fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection, one subject was checked for operating a vessel under the influence and was found to be under the influence. The subject was arrested and transported to the Effingham County Sheriff's Office for booking. Four violations were documented throughout the day consisting of fishing without a license, operating a vessel 100 foot of object/shore above idle speed, and operating a vessel under the influence.
On May 30th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River. A total of six boats and two fishing licenses were checked. No violations were documented but verbal guidance was given on several occasions on the laws and regulations of the boating laws of the state of Georgia.

SCREVEN COUNTY During the Memorial Day Weekend, Sergeant William Vickers and Cpl. Shaymus McNeely carried out three separate patrols on the Savannah River. As a result citations and warnings were issued for operation of vessel without lights, operation of vessel without lifejackets, and operation of vessel without registration.
On Saturday of the Memorial Day Weekend Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Sgt. William Vickers arrested an individual on the Savannah River for boating under the influence. The suspect was charged with BUI, child endangerment, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The suspect was also found to be wanted on outstanding warrants by the Port Wentworth Police Department for theft. The suspect was transported to and incarcerated in the Screven County Jail.
On Monday, May 30th Screven County 911 was contacted reference an individual that had left a suicide note explaining his plans to go to Tuckahoe WMA and end his life at sundown. Tech Howard Pope, Cpl Shaymus McNeely, Sgt. William Vickers, RFC Jeff Billips, and RFC Grant Matherly responded to the area. An extensive search of the WMA did not find any evidence of the subject or his vehicle.
EVANS COUNTY On May 30th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Cpl. David Sims patrolled the Evans Public Fishing Area. Numerous licenses and boats were checked resulting in violations for fishing without licenses, fishing without a WMA license on a PFA, and possession of undersize fish, which were documented.
ATKINSON COUNTY On May 27th, RFC Tim Hutto investigated a complaint on burning tires. He located the burn site and interviewed a witness who had taken photos of the suspect burning the tires.
On May 28th, RFC Hutto, Game Management Tech Mark Pool, and K9 "Gauge" arrested the suspect with a warrant without incident. The suspect admitted to burning the tires off of their rims so he could sell the rims for scrap metal.
LAURENS COUNTY On May 27th, RFC James McLaughlin was on river patrol along the Oconee River with FM Tech Dan Stiles when they encountered a man operating a vessel just below the Sportsman Club landing that had a strong odor of alcohol about him. He was screened, arrested and turned over to Laurens County for boating under the influence.
On May 27th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe was checking the Brickyard landing when he observed an underage young man sink his drink can in the river. After investigating further, the young man had been drinking a beer and didn't want to get caught with it. He was charged for the littering offense and released to a parent.

On Monday the 30th, RFC Rodney Horne and Cpl. Johnny Ashe checked the Buckeye landing for boating traffic and fishing activity. Several boats, individuals were checked and citations were issued to two subjects for fishing without license, operating a vessel without PFD's and without registration.
WHEELER COUNTY On May 29th, GM Tech Allen Mills, RFC Horne worked with FM Tech Dan Stiles, RFC James McLaughlin, RFC Barry Britt and Cpl. Johnny Ashe on a landing detail at Clark's Bluff on the Oconee River. The detail resulted in two subjects being charged with littering for sinking their beer cans in the river, one subject was charged for violating the 100 foot rule near swimmers and another subject was turned over to GSP for driving under the influence.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
WAYNE COUNTY On May 28, Cpl Bobby White and Wildlife Tech John Evans were patrolling the Altamaha River around Williamsburg Landing for boating activity. While Rangers were checking a boat they discovered the operator of the vessel had been consuming too much of an alcoholic beverage. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence and taken to the Wayne County Jail.
On May 28, while on patrol in the Altamaha River around Jaycee Landing, RFC Randy Aspinwall and RFC Chris Moore checked a boat coming into the landing. The operator was screened for operating the boat under the influence of alcohol and subsequently arrested and taken to the Wayne County Jail.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On May 28, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Jimmy Finn patrolled a complaint area on the Sapelo River for violations of the 100' law. One boat was stopped for violating the 100' law. The operator was cited for violating the 100' law along with operating the vessel without registration, and fishing without a license.
On May 28, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Jimmy Finn responded to an incident at Shellman Bluff Fish Camp where an individual had dove off of a vessel head first into the river in shallow water. The victim struck his head on the sandbar, which resulted in him being paralyzed from the chest down. The victim was flown to Savannah for emergency medical treatment of a possible broken neck. The incident is still under investigation.

GLYNN COUNTY On May 22, information was received by Sgt Hodge that Agents with the Georgia State Pardons and Parole were looking for a subject that had been evading capture and information revealed that he was possibly hiding out on the Altamaha River. A team was put together by Sgt Hodge consisting of Cpl. Billy Reed, Cpl. Chris Ridley, Cpl. Bobby White, Cpl. Jesse Cook, and RFC Rebekah Huson. The Officers were assisted by an Agent with Pardons and Parole and a McIntosh County investigator. Officers responded to the area by boat to attempt to locate the subject. Two men were briefly detained at the site but the parolee was not present. No charges were filed against the two subjects at the site.
On May 25, RFC Craig Smith and Cpl. Jesse Cook responded to a call that a sailboat had capsized off shore Jekyll Island. When they arrived they observed two subjects holding onto the side of the sailboat. The rangers were able to get the subjects into their patrol boat and take them and their sailboat to the beach.
On May 27, Cpl Chris Ridley and Sgt Mark Carson were patrolling Altamaha Park in Glynn County when they observed a boat approaching the dock with no lights. After further investigation, the operator of the boat was under the influence. He was transported to the Glynn County Detention Center for booking.
On May 29, Cpl. Billy Reed and RFC Rebekah Huson stopped a vessel after the operator failed to idle while passing under a railroad trestle near the Altamaha Park. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the operator was possibly under the influence of alcohol. The operator was cited for Operating Vessel under the Influence of alcohol, and Operating a Vessel within 100' of Object/Shore above Idle Speed.
On May 30, Cpl. Jesse Cook and RFC Rebekah Huson responded to a call of a boating incident at a local marina. The incident involved one vessel attempting to dock, resulting in two additional vessels being struck. No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.