Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report May 1-7, 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) GILMER COUNTY On May 7th, RFC Cody Jones, Wildlife Tech Joe Hill, and Wildlife Tech Larry Etheridge assisted U.S. Forest Service with a road check on Rich Mt. WMA in Gilmer County. The officers issued five citations for open container violations, driving with suspended a license, and unrestrained child violations. PICKENS COUNTY On May 6th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Cody Jones investigated a complaint of a deer shot at night in Big Canoe subdivision in Pickens County. The officers interviewed five subjects, searched two vehicles and one residence during the investigation. Warrants on one suspect for hunting deer at night and hunting out of season will be taken. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) JACKSON COUNTY On May 6th, RFC Eric Isom and Sgt. Mike Burgamy traveled to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. RFC Isom was honored to receive a Loyalty Day Award for Law Enforcement. On May 6th, RFC Eric Isom and K-9 Colt participated in Jackson County's FFA Middle School Awards Ceremony. RFC Isom and K-9 Colt were there to answer general question and inform the public on the Dept. of Natural Resource Law Enforcement sections functions and responsibilities. On May 7th, RFC Eric Isom and K-9 Colt assisted Jackson County Sherriff's Deputies in the search for a missing juvenile. The juvenile was located unharmed a short time later by Law Enforcement. RABUN COUNTY Between May 1st and 7th twelve Rangers from Region II Law Enforcement and five Rangers from Region III Law Enforcement assisted with security on Lake Burton due to the Tornado from the previous week. Rangers patrolled the water looking for looting and other suspicious activity around the damaged homes. MADISON COUNTY On May 6th RFC Shane Sartor issued 4 citations for littering to kayakers on the Broad River. STEPHENS COUNTY On May 6th Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area. During the patrol, he arrested one subject for misdemeanor marijuana possession and another subject for driving under the influence. The DUI was turned over to the Georgia State Patrol. On May 7th RFC Shane Sartor and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled Lake Hartwell. Two citations for fishing without a license were issued and two for failure to obey regulatory markers. FORSYTH COUNTY On May 6th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Roberson responded to a river rescue call on the Chattahoochee River. The rangers responded to the McGinnis Ferry Bridge. The call was that 11 kayakers had overturned and one of the six children was missing. Sgt. Brown met with the Gwinnett County Fire personnel while Cpl. Roberson met with the Forsyth County Fire personnel. After meeting with the Gwinnett County Fire Department, Sgt. Brown coordinated with them and the Forsyth County Fire Department. Sgt. Brown was able to get the names of the kayakers at the McGinnis Ferry Bridge and waited for the last kayaker to make it down to his location. After the last kayaker made it down river it was determined that all of the kayakers were accounted for during this incident. Later in the day Sgt. Brown and Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled Lake Lanier. The rangers checked a total of 15 boats and 21 fishing licenses. Violations of insufficient PFD's, fishing without a license, operating a vessel without any PFD's, and operating a vessel without the registration numbers displayed were encountered. Citations and warnings were issued for these infractions. Also, the rangers assisted a boat that was having motor problems. The rangers towed them back to the boat ramp where they had launched. LUMPKIN COUNTY On May 2nd, RFC Mitchell Crump was patrolling Dick's Creek on Chestatee WMA for trout fisherman. RFC Crump checked one fisherman that possessed a non-resident trout license but didn't possess a non-resident fishing license. RFC Crump issued a written warning for this infraction. Region III- Thomson (East Central) ELBERT COUNTY On Sunday May 1, at 2:00 a.m. Cpl. Greg Colson responded to a stranded boater report on Clark Hill Lake. Contact was lost with the stranded boaters and Cpl. Colson only had a vague idea of where the boaters were located. After a short search Cpl. Colson found the boaters and assisted them back to the landing. On Saturday May 7, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Cpl. Greg Colson along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a kids fishing event on Lake Richard B. Russell. Approximately 300 people attended the event. OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Saturday May 7, RFC Phillip Nelson and Sgt. Brian Carter provided the shooting sports trailer to the annual National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes Day in Oglethorpe County. The rangers assisted participants with bow and arrow shooting and instruction. COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 2nd, RFC Robert Timmerman performed 3 HIN Inspections on vessels in Evans and Martinez. LINCOLN COUNTY On May 6th, Cpl Ryan Swain worked a boating complaint off of Savannah River. No violations were detected. The complaint is still under investigation. Region IV- Macon (West Central) BALDWIN COUNTY On the morning of May 4th Cpl. Bubba Stanford patrolled the area of the Sinclair tailrace on the Oconee River and checked numerous fishing licenses. One fisherman was cited for fishing without a license. On the evening of May 7th Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Cpl. Bill Goodson responded to a drowning at the Sinclair tailrace on the Oconee River. A fisherman had fallen into the water and was unable to get back to shore. Rescue personnel were able to recover his body several hours later. The incident is still under investigation. HOUSTON COUNTY On the afternoon of May 7th Cpl. John Harkins and Sgt. Tony Fox checked a number of anglers and boaters at Knowles Landing on the Ocmulgee River. Two citations one for fishing without a license and one for operating a vessel without life jackets were issued during the check. MONROE COUNTY While on boating patrol on Lake Juliette on the evening of May 7th, Sgt. Tim Kendrick and Cpl. Tony Wynne pulled up to the bank near Holly Grove access on Rum Creek WMA to check fishermen. While checking one particular group, officers noticed the subjects had beer and observed that one person was passed out this person eventually awoke during the inspection. It was discovered that one person had no fishing license. Sgt. Kendrick advised the group that it was illegal to consume alcohol on a Wildlife Management Area while Cpl. Wynne issued a written warning for the license violation. Kendrick then told the group that drugs were often a problem of concern on Wildlife Management Areas and requested consent to check for the presence of illegal drugs. After obtaining consent, Sgt. Kendrick searched and found rolling papers on one of the female subjects as well as a small bag of marijuana in a sack containing bait and cigarettes her boyfriend had been holding. The drunken subject was charged with illegal consumption of alcohol on a Wildlife Management Area and the male with the marijuana was charged with a misdemeanor violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act for being in possession of marijuana. Both were transported to the Monroe County Jail. TROUP COUNTY On May 5th 8th, RFC Mitch Oliver, Sgt. Jim Bradfield, RFC Jeremy Bolen, Cpl. Keith Waddell, Wildlife Tech IV Mike Crumbley, Tech II Nick Holbrook and Wildlife Tech Russell Epps worked the Bassmaster Elite Series Pride of Georgia Tournament at West Point Lake. The tournament began with 99 boats and was dwindled down to 12 for the final day of competition. The officer's main duties were to patrol idle speed areas such as bridges and to monitor interference to participant boats by spectator vessels. WILKINSON COUNTY During the early morning hours of May 1st, Sgt. Bo Kelly, Cpl. Bubba Stanford, RFC Josh Copelan, and Wildlife Technicians Freddy Hays and Ronnie Beard assisted the Wilkinson County Sheriff's Office with a license check on Highway 441. A total of 8 DUI arrests and 4 drug arrests were made, including 1 felony drug arrest for possession of methamphetamine. Region V- Albany (Southwest) BAKER COUNTY On May 1st, Ranger Randy Davis and Ranger Jon Penuel conducted a boating safety patrol on the Flint River north of the Vada landing. Violations encountered included, fishing without licenses, operating vessels with insufficient lifejackets, and operating vessels without registration. DOUGHERTY COUNTY On May 1st, Cpl Robbie Griner and Sgt. Danny Bishop assisted Dougherty County Police with the investigation of an ATV incident which resulted in the death of an individual in a remote area of the county. DECATUR COUNTY On May 1st, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Jeff Phillips responded to a hunting incident with injuries. The incident occurred when a pair of turkey hunters separated while conducting a hunt, a turkey then walked between the two and was shot at, which resulted in the caller being hit by numerous pellets. The investigation determined the shooter had lost sight of and did not realize the caller had moved to a different location. The injured hunter was treated and released. No charges were filed in this incident. On May 1st, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Jeff Phillips conducted a patrol targeting impaired boat operators on Lake Seminole. One boat operator was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence and for child endangerment. On May 5th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, the Decatur County Sheriff's Office and GSP Troopers participated in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. On May 7th, Cpl. Mike Binion and RFC Tony Cox assisted the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce with activities related to the Rivertown Days Festival. The officers provided boating safety patrols and general security throughout the event. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) TOOMBS COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl Jon Barnard and RFC Daniel Partin participated in career day at Toombs County Middle School conducting Boating Safety and Canine programs for the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. On May 8th Cpl Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River from the No 1 Bridge to Morris Landing inspecting 15 boats and 28 fishing licenses and issued 3 citations and one warning. LAINER COUNTY On April 30th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 Gauge patrolled for turkey hunting activity around the Mud Creek area. Violations were detected for possession of illegally taken wildlife and hunting turkeys with an unplugged shotgun. One tom turkey was confiscated and donated to the Georgia Sheriff's Boys Ranch in Hahira. On May 6th, Sgt. David Nugent and Cpl. Morty Wood investigated an EPD complaint in Lakeland. The complaint was based on a landowner unlawfully burning construction debris. The investigation determined that the initial scene was a structure fire and that the owner was attempting to clean up the site by burning the remaining material. Instruction was given on the lawful disposal of debris. BERRIEN/ATKINSON COUNTY On May 1st, RFC Tim Hutto, K9 Gauge, and Game Management Tech Mark Pool patrolled Paradise PFA and areas along the Alapaha River for boating and fishing activity. The officers issued numerous citations and warnings for fishing without a license, fishing without a WMA license on a PFA, and illegal consumption of alcohol on a PFA. Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Morty Wood and RFC Keith McDonald along with Chief John Clayton and staff and Sheriff Anthony Heath and staff, presented the 11th annual Dogwood Classic Kids Fishing Event on May 7 in Nashville. Approximately 140 children participated. Hundreds of catfish were caught and prizes awarded. MONTGOMERY COUNTY On April 30th, RFC Danielle Partin, Cpl Jon Barnard, and K-9 Briar assisted Toombs County Sheriff's office on a burglary call. The victim of the burglary stated that he thought one of the suspects could have still been in his home. RFC Partin and K-9 Briar did a building search, with the assistance of Cpl Jon Barnard, of the victim's home. No suspects were found. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) BRYAN COUNTY On May 1, Sgt. James Shelton, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and RFC Jack Thain patrolled St. Catherine's Sound to Cane Patch Creek areas, checking numerous boaters/fishermen. No violations were found. On May 2, while patrolling the Richmond Hill WMA at Egypt Island, Cpl. Jay Morgan found where someone had dumped a lot of household items and trash. A possible suspect has been determined and the case is still under investigation. On May 7, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Cpl. Morgan conducted checked boats/fishermen coming in to Fort McAllister boat ramp. Approximately 16 boats were checked. Two persons were cited for possession of undersize sharks. CAMDEN COUNTY On May 1, RFC Rebekah Huson responded to an in-progress call regarding an ongoing fishing without permission complaint. Two subjects were questioned and cited for fishing without permission. GLYNN COUNTY On May 1, RFC Rebekah Huson assisted a stranded boater near Blythe Island Park. The vessel and two individuals on board were towed back to the park without incident. LIBERTY COUNTY On May 7, Cpl. Phillip Scott set up a brochure table and boat display at the Hinesville "Safe Kids Day". Approximately 250 children and adults were in attendance. LONG COUNTY On May 6, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Bobby White participated in the Walker Middle School Career Day. Rangers presented six programs on the career of a conservation ranger. WAYNE COUNTY On May 7, Commissioner Mark Williams, Captain Doug Lewis, Sgt Bob Lynn, RFC Randy Aspinwall and RFC Chris Moore worked the Wayne County Catfish Tournament. Commissioner Williams acted as emcee and assisted with weighing in of fish. Rangers patrolled the Altamaha River checking fishermen. There were 135 boats in the tournament. The first place prize winner won $10,000. NOAA JOINT ENFORCEMENT - FEDERAL WATERS On May 7, Cpl. Jesse Cook and Game Management Technicians John Evans and Jay Drury were patrolling Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary as part of their joint efforts with the National Marine Fisheries Service. While patrolling within the boundaries of the Sanctuary, officers observed a vessel that appeared to be anchored. Cpl. Cook boarded the boat and confirmed that it was an anchor which is strictly prohibited within the boundaries of the Sanctuary. Cpl. Cook documented the violation and is preparing a case package to be sent to special agents with the NMFS Office of Law Enforcement for prosecution.