Field operations weekly report, February 5-11, 2012

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report February 5-11, 2012
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)
DEKALB COUNTY On February 4th, Cpl. Eric Sanders held an HIN Inspection at the Dekalb County Tax Office parking lot. During these inspections vessel owners bring their vessels to the predetermined site to have it inspected by a Conservation Ranger. One vessel owner showed up at the site to have their vessel inspected.
Later that afternoon Cpl. Sanders was patrolling Constitution Lakes for fishing activity. Cpl. Sanders issued written warnings to two subjects for fishing without a license.
On February 4th, Cpl. Sanders was checking on a suspicious vehicle that he saw parked in the wood. While checking on this vehicle another one pulled into the woods behind him. While talking with the driver of that vehicle it was determined that he was driving on a suspended license and was in possession of an open container of alcohol. This driver was turned over to the Dekalb County P.D.
FORSYTH COUNTY On February 3rd, Cpl. Freddie Hays was patrolling Lake Lanier at West Bank Park. He issued a written warning to in a subject in a kayak for not having a PFD onboard with them.
On February 3rd, Cpl. Freddie Hays received a call from Ken Riddleberger the Region II Game Management Supervisor to see if Cpl. Hays could assist with an injured raccoon off of Hwy 20 in Cumming. Cpl. Hays went to the location and found the injured raccoon and handled the situation.
On February 7th, RFC Adam Dills patrolled Charleston Park boat ramp on Lake Lanier conducting boating safety checks. RFC Dills issued citations and warnings for operating a vessel without lights, operating a vessel with an unserviceable fire extinguisher and for operating a vessel with improper registration. After finishing at Charleston boat ramp RFC Dills followed up with Active Outdoors on a boat registration issue he encountered during one of the boat checks earlier in the day. Once finding out the problem RFC Dills called the boat owner to inform him of the issue and how to remedy the problem.
On February 11th, RFC Adam Dills and RFC Mitchell Crump held an onsite HIN inspection at the State Patrol Post in Cumming inspecting 10 boats.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On January 27th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins received a call about a possible stolen vessel at a marine shop in Rockdale County. Upon arrival Cpl. Tompkins checked the HIN numbers on the vessel and realized the HIN plate was not the correct plate for the vessel. Cpl.

Tompkins researched the vessel and was able to locate the correct numbers for the vessel and that it was reported stolen in Walton County in 2009. Cpl. Tompkins interviewed the subject that brought the vessel to the marine shop and learned that he bought it from a local pawn shop in Conyers. Cpl. Tompkins interviewed the manager at the pawn shop and learned who had pawned the vessel. On January 29th, RFC Nikki Spencer and Cpl. Tompkins interviewed the subject that had pawned the vessel. He admitted to altering the HIN numbers on the vessel as well as another vessel. He also admitted to pawning the vessels using the counterfeit HIN numbers. The subject stated he knew that something was wrong with the vessel when it did not have numbers or paperwork. On February 3rd, Cpl. Tompkins took warrants for the subject in Newton and Rockdale Counties. Charges in Newton County were theft by receiving, violation of hull identification numbers required, and false statements or writings. Charges for Rockdale County were theft by deception and counterfeit hull identification numbers. All charges were felony charges. On Feb 3rd, Cpl. Tompkins also located the outboard motor that was on the vessel when it was stolen. The motor had been sold on Craig's List to a subject in Fulton County. On Feb 4th, Cpl. Tompkins traveled to Fulton County and retrieved the motor. The vessel and motor were returned to the original owner. On January 29th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins checked three subjects hunting without permission at Randy Poynter Lake. All three subjects were issued citations for hunting without permission and two subjects were issued warnings for possession of illegally taken wildlife. Green wing teal were seized as evidence.
On January 31st, Cpl. Eric Sanders started an investigation reference littering/illegal dumping. This case is still under investigation.
On February 3rd, Cpl. Eric Sanders was patrolling Randy Poynter Lake for boating and fishing activity. Cpl. Sanders issued a written warning to the operator of a vessel for operating without any PFD's onboard. Also, while Cpl. Sanders was checking the vessel and talking with the operator he determined that the operator needed to have a HIN inspection completed on his vessel. Cpl. Sanders completed the inspection which assists this operator with completing the registration process.
DAWSON COUNTY On February 2, 2012 in Dawson County Superior Court, the subject who was arrested for "Unlawful Dumping" of 55 gallon drums containing hazardous waste on Dawson Forest WMA in 2010 plead guilty. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison, serving the first 90 days in confinement and the remainder on probation with special conditions, and fined $2500. An investigation by DNR Rangers from Region's I and II Game Management and Law Enforcement Sections led to the arrest of the subject.
On February 5th, Cpl. Freddie Hays was contacted by the Dawson County Sheriff's Office about possible illegal dumping. Cpl. Hays responded to the scene and talked with the complainants. During the course of the investigation it was determined that a septic tank company was pumping out a septic tank in the area. The tank on the truck became full so the truck operator went up the street and dumped 200-300 gallons of sewage on a vacant lot. Cpl. Hays made contact with the septic tank truck and its occupants. As a

result of this investigation felony warrants were taken out for the two occupants of the truck for "Unlawful Dumping of Egregious Litter" for commercial gain. Cpl. Hays met with the septic tank company supervisors and they were cleaning up the dump site the next day.
On February 7th, RFC Adam Dills patrolled Hollis Latham Reservoir for boating and fishing activity. RFC Dills issued citations and warnings for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and operating a vessel without registration.
GWINNETT COUNTY On February 11th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Freddie Hays held and onsite HIN inspection at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville inspecting 7 boats.
LUMPKIN COUNTY From January 29th February 10th, RFC Mitchell Crump attended the Marine Patrol Officers Course in Charleston, S.C. This course is held on the U.S. Coast Guard base in Charleston.
RABUN COUNTY On Sunday Feb 5th, Cpl Derek Dillard and Cpl Jesse Cook were on routine vessel patrol on Lake Burton in Rabun County when they observed three men fishing from the bank at the Burton Bridge at Hwy 76. Officer noted numerous poles sitting in front of the men as they pulled their boat to the bank. One of the men jumped up and came over to the boat while the other two men sat still. The men were asked to produce a fishing license. Only the one man could do so. Cpl Dillard got out and walked up on the bank where the other men had been sitting. Next to some fishing tackle that was left Cpl Dillard located a pipe that appeared to be the type to smoke marijuana. A pat down of the subjects for weapons also revealed a small bag containing what appeared to be marijuana. Two of the subjects were arrested for Violation Georgia Controlled substances act. The third was not charged.
On Saturday Feb 11th, Cpl Jesse Cook responded to Hwy 76 East outside Clayton in reference to a tractor trailer tanker truck accident involving the spilling of an unknown amount of gasoline. Upon arrival Cpl Cook observed a tanker truck lying on its side in a drainage ditch. The driver had been transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A check of a minor creek on the opposite side of the road showed large amounts of fuel. Cpl Cook assisted Oconee County South Carolina Hazmat place some temporary absorbent booms into the creek to attempt to slow the spread of the fuel. DNR Fisheries Leon Brotherton was also on-scene and did a test of the water to document environmental impact. Cpl Cook then met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency On-Scene Coordinator Jordan Garrard and began coordinating with HEPACO for the cleanup of the wreck site and surrounding creek area.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WILKES COUNTY On February 8, RFC Mark Patterson was checking boating and fishing activity at Holiday Park. RFC Patterson checked several bank fisherman and three boats. RFC Patterson addressed two fishing without commercial license violations and one in possession of undersize bass violation.
LAKE OCONEE On February 9th, RFC Ricky Boles was patrolling Lake Oconee boat ramps for fishing activity. RFC Boles gave several verbal warnings for outdated fire extinguishers and failure to have a Type IV PFD on board vessels. One fisherman was cited for having over the limit for crappie.
On February 11th, DNR had their annual youth squirrel hunt on Lake Oconee. Fifteen kids were given the chance to hunt one of three Georgia Power parks. Among these were Old Salem, Parks Ferry, and Lawrence Shoals parks. Each group of kids was teamed up with a DNR Ranger, a squirrel dog, a dog handler, and a parent or two. The kids enjoyed being outdoors, learning a little bit about gun safety, and even managed to take a few squirrels. Thanks to all the Rangers involved: Sgt. John Harwell, Sgt. Brian Carter, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, RFC Richard Tanner, RFC Mark Patterson, RFC Ricky Boles, RFC Niki Spencer, and a special thanks to Cpl. Derrell Worth for organizing the event.
LINCOLN COUNTY On February 12th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman conducted a concentrated patrol of Clarks Hill Lake area boat landings for boating and fishing activity. No violations were detected.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On Thursday February 9th, Sgt. Max Boswell and RFC Matherly received a complaint of hunting without permission in Jefferson County. RFC Matherly worked the complaint Thursday evening and on Saturday evening RFC Matherly, RFC Adams, RFC Billips, and Cpl. Payne worked the area. The officers had no contact with the subjects and the investigation is ongoing.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HENRY COUNTY On February 6th and 11th, RFC Kevin Godbee conducted several high hence facility inspections within Henry Co. He also conducted inspections at three meat processing facilities in Clayton and Henry Counties.

TROUP COUNTY On February 11th Sgt. Jim Bradfield, Cpl. Mitch Oliver, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen, and Ranger Russell Epps worked a surveillance detail at West Point WMA shooting range. The officers issued citations for violation of range rules such as improper targets, and failure to wear eye protection. WILKINSON COUNTY On February 11th, Conservation Rangers from Regions 4 and 6 assisted local volunteers with the 16th annual Quail Hunt for Kids. This hunt was open to past and current Hunter Education graduates under age 17 in the Wilkinson County area. Twenty four hunters enjoyed a full day of sporting clays and quail hunting. Conservation Rangers in attendance were RFC Josh Swain, RFC Allen Mills, RFC Josh Copelan, Cpl John Harkins, Cpl Dan Stiles, Cpl Lynn Stanford, Cpl Bill Goodson and Sgt Bo Kelly.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On February 11th, Sgt. Rick Sellars responded to a citizen complaint of someone using an illegal gill net in Spring Creek. Sgt. Sellars met with the complainant, who advised him that the two suspects were motoring up the Spring Creek in a boat. After a quick check revealed that the net had been removed from the water, Sellars began a search for the suspects and located them at a private dock, with the gill net and fish still in the boat. In addition to the two subjects in the boat, the boat owner was also implicated in the illegal activities after a brief investigation. The three subjects were cited for commercial fishing in closed waters, taking game fish by illegal methods, and using commercial gear without a commercial license. The gill net and fish were confiscated.

Illegal gill nets on Lake Seminole
SEMINOLE COUNTY On February 11th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, Cpl. Mike Binion, and RFC Tony Cox conducted a foot patrol on Lake Seminole WMA, where Sgt. Sellars had observed two boats beached on the shoreline. As they approached the area, Cpl. Binion observed a person coming to the area from the opposite direction. Upon seeing the officers, the subject immediately turned and began running. Binion and Cox gave chase and caught the subject a short time later. The subject was issued a citation for littering, and for consuming alcohol on a WMA.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
ATKINSON COUNTY On February 10th, at around 8:00 p.m., RFC Tim Hutto was dispatched to a hunting without permission call on the Satilla River. RFC Hutto met with the landowners and began to investigate the incident. One subject was located on the property hunting hogs without permission and three others were located fishing without permission. Citations were issued for hunting without permission and fishing without a license. RFC Hutto also discovered that one of the subjects had a valid warrant out of Glynn County for a fishing without a license charge.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On February 6, Cpl. Wil Smith received a call about two alligator carcasses dumped on Miles Still Rd near Hoboken, GA. Cpl. Smith responded and found a 7 foot alligator and a 10 foot alligator on the shoulder of the road near the Mill Creek Bridge. The tails had been removed and the legs of the 10 foot alligator had been stripped of the meat. Cpl. Smith investigated the scene and secured the alligators. Cpl. Smith received several possible leads and is still investigating the incident.