Field operations weekly report, 2011 June 26-July 2

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 26- July 2, 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)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On July 1st, Wildlife Technician's David Shattuck and Brandon Walls patrolled Dawson Forest WMA. The rangers were patrolling in the area known as the "Devils Elbow." The rangers encountered several subjects consuming alcohol on the WMA. Citations were issued for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol on a WMA.
On July 2nd, Wildlife Technician's David Shattuck and Eric Woods were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA on the City of Atlanta Tract on the horse trails. The rangers encounter riders that hadn't purchased a permit to ride on the trails. A citation was issued for this infraction. Later in the day the rangers were patrolling in the "Devils Elbow" area of the WMA. They encountered subjects consuming alcohol on the WMA. Citations were issued for Illegal Consumption of Alcohol on a WMA.
FORSYTH COUNTY On July 2nd, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Freddie Hays and RFC Mitchell Crump were completing a night patrol on Lake Lanier when they encountered a vessel not displaying a stern light. As the rangers approached the vessel they saw a lady onboard toss a cup overboard. Once alongside of the vessel the rangers issued a citation for littering and issued written warning for not displaying the stern light.
On July 2nd, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Freddie Hays were patrolling Lake Lanier. They were dispatched to Mary Alice Park reference a boating incident. The rangers were told that this was a "hit and run" incident. Once on the scene the rangers made contact with one of the boats that was involved in the incident. The other boat was a PWC that was loaded onto a trailer and left the scene. The driver of the PWC was stopped by a Forsyth County Deputy on a lookout that was put out on this vehicle and PWC. While interviewing the subjects on the vessel that was struck by the PWC the operator was screened for BUI and was placed under arrest for that offense. After conducting interviews and taking statements the rangers went and met with operator of the PWC. He was placed under arrest by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for Driving Under the Influence. Cpl. Hays interviewed him about the incident. He was issued citations for Reckless Operation, Failure to Obey Regulatory Marker and Failure to Render Aid or Assistance in a Collision.
HALL COUNTY On July 1st, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Freddie Hays and RFC Mitchell Crump responded to a boating incident at Port Royale Marina. Once on the scene they were told that the PWC involved in the incident had left the scene and the subject was transported to Northeast

Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. The ranger went to the hospital to interview the subject involved in the incident. The case is still under investigation.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On June 26th and 27th, RFC Mitchell Crump, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Wildlife Technician David Shattuck assisted with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Jr. Deputy Academy. The rangers utilized the "Fishing and Hunting" simulator on the first day along with talking with the campers about boating safety. The next day the rangers had the campers at the Lumpkin County Firing Range to teach them about Firearms Safety and let them have the opportunity to shoot 22 caliber rifles.
HART COUNTY On June 28th, RFC Josh Chambers responded to two boating incidents on Lake Hartwell. He responded to Harbor Light Marina to the scene of a boat that sank. Later in the day, he investigated an incident where two tubers collided injuring both subjects.
On July 1st, RFC Josh Chambers responded to a boating incident where a subject broke his ankle while skiing on Lake Hartwell.
MADISON COUNTY On July 2nd, RFC Shane Sartor was patrolling the Broad River. He noticed a group of kayaks floating near his location. One of the females in a kayak fell out and started floating downstream apparently unconscious. RFC Sartor waded into the river and assisted get the lady out of the river. She was very intoxicated and not responding to him. He got assistance from a landowner and carried her up to the road where they met an ambulance to check her. They lady was transported to Athens Regional Hospital. Warrants for public drunk will be taken later in the week.
On July 2nd, RFC Shane Sartor and Sgt. Stan Elrod were patrolling private property ponds in the Colbert area. The Madison County dispatch notified deputies of a shooting in Colbert. The rangers were only about five miles from the area when the call came out. Sartor and Elrod responded to assist. When the rangers arrived, one deputy was near the scene. The officers pulled into the yard and noticed a male on the front porch bleeding. He told the officers that the shooter was still inside the house. Another deputy arrived and the two deputies and two rangers approached the house. A male could be seen inside the house. He was ordered to step outside. He complied and was arrested and the victim was transported to the hospital.
WHITE COUNTY On July 1st, RFC Anne Alexander was patrolling the Chattahoochee River near Martin Branch for fishing activity. She checked one man that had come up from the river with a stringer of fish. When she asked to look in the fisherman's cooler, the fisherman gave her permission and Ranger Alexander counted 17 trout. The fisherman admitted to catching his limit of 8 and claimed two other people had placed their trout in the cooler also. A fisherman came up from the river and claimed to have placed his limit of 8 trout in the cooler. Thus leaving one trout left in the cooler for no one to claim. RFC

Alexander cited the fisherman for possession of over the daily limit of trout and confiscated 1 trout. She further instructed them if they were going to keep other fishermen's creel, they needed to have the creel separated and documented with the required information.
On July 2nd, at approximately 1:00am RFC Anne Alexander and USFS Ranger Derik Breedlove were patrolling Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area. A vehicle was stopped for a traffic offense. After investigating suspicious persons in the vehicle, a search of the vehicle was conducted. USFS Ranger Breedlove cited one man for open container and cited his passenger for possession of a controlled substance. Another car pulled up with two subjects inside along with a five year old girl. The subject inside the car recognized the party that the officers had stopped and while talking to them, the officers smelled an odor of alcohol coming from their vehicle. The operator was asked out of the vehicle and upon exiting the operator threw something out along the road. Ranger Alexander found 5 yellow, unidentified pills on the ground not far from the bank of the road. The operator was charged for possession of controlled substance and open container.
RABUN COUNTY On Saturday July 2nd, at approximately 10:11 p.m., Corporal Derek Dillard responded to a call of a boat had been swamped in the area of Burton Island on Lake Burton. Once on scene Corporal Dillard noticed a sunken boat and several beer cans floating in the water around it. The operator and 4 other occupants and a pit-bull dog were located on 3 other boats. The operator and passengers had been drinking alcohol and the operator failed field sobriety. The passengers and dog were taken back to their boat house and the operator was transported to the Rabun County Detention Center and charged with boating under the influence and operating a vessel with improper registration numbers displayed.
On July 2nd, RFC Chad Chambers and Rabun Co. Sheriff's deputy Craig Nelson were patrolling Lake Burton. Shortly after the conclusion of the annual fireworks show, they spotted a vessel being operated without bow lights. After stopping the vessel and conversing with the operator, it was determined that he was operating under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and taken to the Rabun Co. Detention Center. Test results indicated that his blood/ alcohol level was over twice the legal limit.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GREENE COUNTY Saturday July 2, RFC Ricky Boles and RFC Phillip Nelson were patrolling Lake Oconee when they observed a vessel operating with docking lights only. After further investigation, the operator of the vessel was placed under arrest for BUI and was transported to the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

Sunday July 3, CPL David Allen and RFC Eddie Thompkins were patrolling near Parrott's Cove on Lake Oconee when a call was received in reference to a stranded vessel with a four- month old baby onboard. The stranded vessel was towed from the congested waters to Long Shoals boat ramp.
Saturday July 2, CPL Derrell Worth and RFC Larry Mills patrolled Lake Oconee near Richland Creek and issued several violations for Reckless Operation and worked complaints of boaters violating the 100' law in Parrott's Cove.
LINCOLN On July 1st, RFC Brian Adams assisted the GBI and Lincoln County Sheriffs Office with the apprehension of a subject involved in an armed robbery and beating of an elderly storeowner in Northern Lincoln County. The subject along with another suspect fled law enforcement in a rural part of Lincoln County that is heavily wooded.
On July 1st, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Robert Timmerman, and Tech III Mark Patterson worked a Marine Event. The Event was a fireworks display at Amity Federal Park on Clarks Hill Lake.
On July 2nd, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Ryan Swain, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, Cpl. Greg Colson, and RFC Nikki Spencer conducted a large-scale search of Northern Clarks Hill Lake. The search was for an armed robbery subject who had stolen a boat from a private residence and fled from Law Enforcement in Northern Lincoln County on Clarks Hill Lake. The subject fled Rangers by vessel where he eventually beached the vessel in McCormick, South Carolina near a local store. The subject kidnapped one of the store clerks outside the store and entered the store armed with a claw hammer and a .357 magnum revolver. The subject shot at another clerk inside the store and fled the scene. South Carolina and Georgia Law Enforcement responded. The subject them stole a fourwheeler from a residence and fled law enforcement. A pursuit of the subject ended at Clarks Hill Lake, where the subject jumped in the lake and was last spotted swimming across a large cove.
The subject was eventually arrested on the morning of July 4th after he had burglarized a residence in McCormick County. The subject is being held in McCormick County Jail awaiting extradition back to Lincoln County.
COLUMBIA On July 2nd, Cpl. Brian Hobbins and RFC Robert Timmerman arrested one subject for operation of a vessel while he was suspended from operating a vessel and operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. This subject was arrested on Clarks Hill Lake in Keg Creek. The subject had been arrested only three weeks prior for BUI on Clarks Hill Lake and was suspended by Cpl. Ryan Swain for a BUI offense.
ELBERT COUNTY On Friday June 1, RFC Nikki Spencer, RFC Phillip Nelson, RFC Eddie Tompkins, and Cpl. Greg Colson patrolled Lake Richard B. Russell for the annual fireworks show at

Richard B. Russell State Park. Several hundred boats attended the event and the rangers gave verbal guidance on numerous stern and bow light issues.
On Saturday June 2, RFC Eddie Tompkins and Cpl. Greg Colson were patrolling Clark's Hill Lake near Bobby Brown State Park when a vessel operating without lights passed them. The rangers stopped the vessel and after talking with the operator it was believed that he was operating under the influence. After further testing the operator was charged with boating under the influence and operating a vessel with improper lights.
BURKE COUNTY On July 1st, RFC Jeff Billips, received a complaint of possible alligator poaching. RFC Billips approached a pond and observed two white males. One was carrying an alligator and the other carrying two shotguns. RFC Billips placed both suspects under arrest. The suspect carrying the alligator was a juvenile and was turned over to his mother. The adult suspect was charged with possession of firearm by convicted felon, hunting out of season, hunting without permission, and possession of the alligator.
RICHMOND COUNTY On July 2nd, Sgt. Matt Garthright, RFC Jeff Billips, and RFC Grant Matherly responded to an armed robbery call in Richmond County along with Richmond County Sheriff's Office. Two suspects robbed a citizen after getting money from an ATM machine. The suspect's fled from police in a wooded area. One of men was apprehended after being flushed by officers and K-9.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BIBB COUNTY On the night of July 2nd Cpl. John Harkins and RFC Kevin Joyce were patrolling Lake Tobesofkee when they observed a boat operating without the required running lights. The boat was stopped for the infraction and then escorted to the boat owner's dock where the operator was cited for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness. He was also warned for allowing an underage child to ride in a vessel without wearing a PFD.
JASPER COUNTY On July 2nd RFC Keith Page and Cpl. Tony Wynne were patrolling Jackson Lake in Jasper County. While heading north under the Hwy 212 Bridge, RFC Page spotted a vessel heading south that was displaying improper lights on the bow. RFC Page stopped the vessel. After speaking with the vessel operator, RFC Page realized the man had been drinking and decided to screen him regarding his level of intoxication. The man failed the field sobriety exercises terribly and was placed under arrest by RFC Page for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. He was also charged with operating a vessel at night with improper lights.
On the evening of July 2nd Cpl. Susan Morris and RFC Billy Bryant were patrolling Jackson Lake when they noticed a vessel being operated by a gentleman sitting on the

gunwale of the boat. The Rangers stopped the vessel and after a brief investigation determined the operator was under the influence of alcohol. The operator was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CLAY COUNTY On July 2nd, a family found themselves stranded on a small island on Lake W.F. George as a large thunderstorm moved over the area, creating dangerous waves, winds and numerous lighting strikes. The family was scheduled to be picked up by another party but could not be reached due to the storm. Rangers Jim Atchley and Bob Holley were on patrol in the area and were en-route to a safe marina themselves when they observed the family on the island. The officers loaded the family aboard their patrol boat and delivered them safely to the nearest marina. SEMINOLE COUNTY On July 2nd, RFC Tony Cox received information of illegal shocking activities from an anonymous individual through the TIP (Turn In Poachers) Hotline. He responded to the complaint and encountered the suspects at a boat ramp. After conducting interviews he cited a husband and wife for shocking fish. Ranger Cox is shown holding the confiscated shocking device in the following photograph.
CRISP COUNTY While conducting a boating safety patrol July 2nd, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence and RFC David Brady encountered a vessel on Lake Blackshear operating at night with no navigation lights. After failing field sobriety exercises the operator of the vessel was charged with operating a vessel under the influence, child endangerment, and operating vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY

On July 2nd, RFC Barry Britt, RFC James McLaughlin, RFC Rodney Horne, Cpl. Dan Stiles, and Cpl. Johnny Ashe worked on complaints of littering, illegal consumption of alcohol on a WMA and damage to state property on the Town Bluff Park and Bullard Creek WMA. Two violations were documented for illegal consumption of alcohol on a WMA.
On July 4th, RFC Barry Britt worked on complaints of littering and ATVs riding on private property without permission. Landowners around the Rocky Hammock landing area have been having problems with people riding through their property to a sand bar on the Ocmulgee River and leaving their beer cans and bottles behind. Two adult males were given verbal guidance after they were observed entering the property on ATVs for trespassing. RFC Britt also charged a 19-year old male subject for littering and possession of alcohol by an underage person after he observed the man sink a beer can in the Altamaha River adjacent to the Town Bluff Park day use area.
On June 24th, during a night patrol of local landings and Bullard Creek WMA along the Altamaha River, RFC Barry Britt encountered several people illegally camped on the WMA. He issued one warning and advised the people to remove their tents from the area.
On June 26th, while watching an area on the Altamaha River for illegal boating activity, RFC Barry Britt observed a man sink his beer can in the river. He was issued a citation for the littering offense.
TELFAIR COUNTY On July 3rd, RFC James McLaughlin, RFC Barry Britt, RFC Rodney Horne, Cpl. Dan Stiles and Cpl. Johnny Ashe conducted a landing detail in Jacksonville. One female subject was observed getting into their car to leave when they took a bag of trash out of the car and left it on the sandbar as they drove off. They were stopped and issued a citation for the littering offense.
DODGE COUNTY On July 4th, Cpl. Dan Stiles, Cpl. Johnny Ashe checked Dodge PFA for any boating or fishing activity. They located 3 subjects fishing without WMA licenses, issued them warnings and gave them each a Georgia fishing regulations handbook for future information on the license requirements.
APPLING COUNTY On July 2nd, RFC Chase Altman responded to a drowning incident on the Altamaha River under the US #1 Highway Bridge. RFC Altman contacted Sgt. Don Dasher and RFC Danielle Partin to come provide support. RFC Altman also contacted the Appling Sheriff's Office, the Appling EMA, and the Appling Dive Team to respond as well. Numerous efforts with sonar and divers were used until it was too dark to continue. Appling EMA responders were stationed throughout the night and on the morning of the next day the body was recovered with help from all agencies involved.

For the rest of the July 4th holiday, RFC Altman and Corporal Jimmy Williams worked high visibility patrols in crowded areas for boating safety. Several contacts were made, including fishing w/o license and unlawful burning of waste.
TATTNALL COUNTY On July 4th, RFC Clint Jarriel and Sgt. Don Dasher were checking for fishing activity at Hwy 147 Bridge in Tattnall County. As they were checking some people bank fishing they heard a splash down from their location and turned their attention toward the area. As they got closer they could see a boy struggling to swim and then he went under. RFC Jarriel jumped in and brought the boy to the shore. Sgt. Dasher also jumped in and pulled another boy out of the water that he saw struggling. RFC Jarriel then noticed some other activity under the surface as another man was struggling to swim. A bystander jumped in to help pull this individual to shore. It turned out that a man and his two sons were bank fishing and one son fell in and could not swim. The father then jumped in to save him and as the father struggled, the second son went in to save him. Three people were pulled from the water and checked for injuries and released.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On June 23, Sgt. Chris Hodge and Crooked River State Park Manager Joe Bradford responded to the Grover Island area of Crooked River to recover two kayaks from an incident that occurred earlier in the day. Four people were kayaking in Crooked River when a violent thunderstorm overturned tow of the kayaks and blew the kayaks away from the boaters. The boaters were able to safely return to the park uninjured.
On June 21st RFC Craig Smith and Sgt. Chris Hodge responded to the Blue Bridge on the St. Mary's River reference a missing person. The subject was reported missing that morning and her car was found that afternoon at the boat ramp. Local agencies used K9's to track the person to the water. After an extensive search of the area by the Rangers, Camden S.O., Camden S.A.R., and Kingsland P.D. the subjects body was recovered up river. The incident is still under investigation by Kingsland Police Department.
On June 22nd RFC Craig Smith, Cpl. Jesse Cook, and Biologist Mark Dodd completed a boarding detail for shrimp boats due to the opening of the beaches for trawling. 6 vessels were boarded and RFC Smith cited 6 subjects for no commercial licenses and 1 subject for illegal gear reference Turtle Excluder Device defects.
GLYNN COUNTY On June 23th, RFC Rebekah Huson and RFC Craig Smith provided lifejacket and water safety classes to approximately 100 children at Blythe Island State Park.
On June 24, Sgt. Chris Hodge and RFC Rebekah Huson assisted Glynn County PD officers and Investigators from the Clayton County Sheriff's Office with the apprehension of a fugitive on Little St. Simon's Island. Officers traveled to the island by boat and were able to locate and return the fugitive back to the mainland without incident.

MCINTOSH COUNTY On June 19, while patrolling offshore Sapelo Island, Cpl. Chris Ridley caught a shrimp trawler trawling in closed state waters. The trawler was escorted back to the dock where his catch was sold at fair market value and his trawler seized. The operator of the trawler was cited for using power drawn nets in closed waters.
WAYNE COUNTY On June 25, Sgt. Bob Lynn and Cpl. Bobby White participated in Operation Safe Water by concentrating their patrol efforts around Jaycee Landing for boating under the influence violations. No violations were detected during their patrol.
BRYAN COUNTY On July 2nd, Cpl. Phillip Scott and RFC Jack Thain patrolled the Medway River area and cited one person for possession of undersized cobia.
OFFSHORE FEDERAL WATERS On July 2nd, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Grays Reef Marine Sanctuary. One boater was cited for anchoring at the Sanctuary reef.