Field operations weekly report, 2012 May 20-26

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 20-26, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Zack Hardy presented a pre-holiday boating safety awareness class for the Bartow County Fire and Rescue Department. The Rangers concentrated on safety concerns while on the water during rescue operations.
On May 24th, Sgt. Mike Barr and RFC Brooks Varnell presented a boating safety awareness class to the engineering marine division at Yamaha Marine in Kennesaw. The program focused on safety awareness. Sgt. Barr and RFC Varnell gave a demonstration of an intoxicated boater using "fatal vision" goggles.
On May 24th, Sgt. Mike Barr gave a pre-holiday boating safety awareness class to the new seasonal employees at Park Marine boat rental facility. The class focused on boating laws, how to handle inexperienced boaters who may be renting boating equipment, and boating safety awareness for the general public.
On May 26th, Cpl. Byron Young was on his way to Lake Allatoona for patrol when he discovered a large grass fire along I-75 near Adairsville. Sight was very limited due to the amount of smoke from the fire. Cpl. Young also discovered a family from Missouri with 12 children who just happen to be broke down with vehicle problems in the middle of the area of the fire. Cpl. Young and MCCD Officer Sgt. Jude assisted the stranded family and got them off the highway and to a hotel until they could get their family van repaired. They were very thankful of the State Officer's assistance.
On May 26th, Captain Johnny Johnson and Cpl. Byron Young were patrolling Lake Allatoona in the area of Allatoona Landing. A pontoon boat got the Ranger's attention as it went by with two females riding on the bow of the vessel. They also noticed that the operator of the vessel was drinking a can of Bud-Light beer. The Rangers stopped the pontoon and discovered that the operator was impaired. He was arrested and charged with boating under the influence. Cpl. Young assisted the remaining passengers in getting to a safe location at Holiday Marina.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On May 24th, Cpl. Lee Burns and RFC Zack Hardy responded to a call for assistance from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. A report of an intoxicated PWC (personal water-craft) operator that was coming dangerously close to swimmers and spraying them with water at Galt's Ferry Beach was received by Cherokee Co 911. When approached by the Cherokee Co SO Deputy, the PWC ran from the scene. The Rangers found the male operator north of Galt's Ferry and discovered that he had rented the PWC from Park Marina. He denied actions at Galt's Ferry but Cpl. Burns picked up a strong odor of alcohol. Cpl. Burns administered field sobriety exercises and discovered that the operator was impaired. He was arrested and charged with boating under the influence of alcohol.

CARROLL COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Eric Brown patrolled Lake Carroll and Lake Buckhorn by boat. During the patrols 4 subjects were cited for fishing without license, 5 were cited for operating a vessel without personal floatation devices and other safety violations, and 2 were cited for no registration.
FANNIN COUNTY On May 25th 28th, Sgt. Vanlandingham, Cpl. Keener, RFC Hill, and RFC Jones patrolled Blue Ridge Lake and the Toccoa River on the Memorial Day Weekend. The officers issued 8 warnings and 11 citations. The violations included fishing license, PFD's, navigational lights, no observer on PWC, safety equipment, registration, rules of the road, and riding on the gunwale.
FLOYD COUNTY On May 26th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway, RFC Ben Cunningham and Cpl. Tommy Gentry patrolled the Coosa River from Lock and Dam Park to the Alabama state line. Five citations and warnings were issued for various fishing and boat violations.
GILMER COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Lake by vessel. The officers issued 7 citations and 3 warnings for allowing underage age person to unlawfully operate PWC, failure to obey regulatory markers, operating vessel without lights during hours of darkness, insufficient PFD's, operating overloaded vessel, fishing without a license, and 100 ft rule violation.
GORDON COUNTY On May 25th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Cpl. Tommy Gentry checked the Coosawattee River at Owens Gin Bridge for boating and fishing activity. As they approached the bridge they noticed four people floating down the river on float tubes. Cpl. Elmore asked them if they had lifejackets and they all replied no. Cpl. Elmore told the four to exit the river as they could not float the river on tubes without lifejackets. The four individuals ignored Cpl. Elmore and continued floating down river. Cpl. Elmore and Cpl. Gentry went down river and located the four tubers. All four were issued citations for operating a vessel without lifejackets.
On May 26th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and RFC Roger McConkey patrolled the Coosawattee River from Hwy 225 to the Re-Regulation Lake at Carters Lake. They issued several citations and warnings for lifejacket violations. The officers also obtained information of a wanted person that was camping in another area. The next day Cpl. Elmore contacted Cpl. James Keener about the location of the wanted persons camp and she was arrested regarding outstanding warrants by Cpl. Keener.
HEARD COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Eric Brown was assisting Coweta and Carroll County with a search for over-due kayakers. After the search Cpl. Brown came across 10 people on tubes around

11:00 p.m. on the Chattahoochee River. None of the people had personal floatation devices and 2 were found to be under the influence of alcohol. All 10 were charged with operating a vessel without a PFD and 2 were charged with boating under the influence and transported to Heard County Jail.
MURRAY COUNTY On May 22nd, Cpl. Casey Jones received a complaint from a person who had observed a fisherman catch and keep over twenty-five striped bass and was still fishing. The suspect was fishing on the Coosawattee River. Cpl. Jones obtained a description of the suspect's vehicle and responded to the call. On his way to the call Cpl. Jones passed a vehicle that fit the description of the suspect's vehicle. Cpl. Jones turned around on the suspect and found it pulled over at a local bait shop. The driver was out showing his catch to the owner of the shop. The fisherman, a Murray County man, was in possession of thirty-one striped bass, sixteen over the limit. The fish were confiscated and the fisherman was charged and released.
On May 25th, Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener charged two Whitfield County men for multiple violations that include fishing without a license, fishing without a trout license, violation of USFS rules on a WMA and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. Cpl. Jones was on foot patrol in the Holly Creek area on Cohutta WMA when he observed one of the men fishing outside his camp. Cpl. Jones also observed empty beer cans around the creek that matched cans found in the camp. The men admitted to the alcohol being theirs. The marijuana was located in a consent search of the men's vehicle.
On May 25th, Cpl. Casey Jones arrested a Tennessee man for littering and underage consumption of alcohol. Cpl. Jones was checking fishermen on the Conasauga River and issuing a Murray County man a citation for fishing without a license when he observed the Tennessee man try to hide a can of beer when he walked by. A brief talk with the suspect revealed that he was very intoxicated and he had also left many of his empty beer cans along the Conasauga River. The cans were collected as evidence and the suspect was transported to the Murray County Jail.
On May 25th, Cpl. Casey Jones issued two Murray County Men citations for shocking fish and fishing without a license. Cpl. Jones discovered that the two men were in possession of an old crank telephone used to take fish illegally. Cpl. Jones checked one of the men coming off the Conasauga River and walking back to his truck. The suspect informed Cpl. Jones that he and his buddy were setting limb hooks. When questioned about the contents of a cloth pack on his back the suspect informed Cpl. Jones that it was a phone. Shortly thereafter the suspect's partner came walking up from the river carrying two very large dip nets. After interviewing the two suspects it was discovered that one of them did not have a license and that they had both been trying to illegally shock fish out of the Conasauga River. The two men were charged for their violations and the illegal equipment was confiscated.

MURRAY\GILMER CARTERS LAKE On May 26th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill issued seven citations and three warnings for various boating safety violations on Carters Lake. The violations included insufficient PFD, operation of over loaded vessel and operating vessels during hours of darkness without lights.
On May 27th, Sgt. John Vanlandingham and Cpl. Casey Jones issued eight citation and nine warning for various boating safety and fishing violations. The violations included improper\no registration, insufficient PFD's, towing skier without observer and fishing without a license.
POLK COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Rick Dempsey and Ranger Chad Cox held the annual Polk County Kid's Fishing Rodeo at Kenview Farm off Hwy. 113 near Rockmart. Over 1500 people attended the event with 400 children participating in the actual fishing. 100 rod & reels were given away to the children, 1200 hotdogs were served, 800 bags of chips, 1200 popsicles, cookies and drinks were provided at no cost to those attending the event. Tshirts were given to the children with the event logo on front and sponsors listed on the back.
WALKER COUNTY On May 23rd, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, RFC Ben Cunningham and RFC Roger McConkey patrolled West Armuchee Creek area for illegal trout fishing activity. The Rangers issued one citation for fishing after obtaining the legal limit of trout and one citation for littering.
On May 25th, RFC Roger McConkey located several subjects parked in the roadway at West Armuchee Creek around midnight. RFC McConkey found five underage subjects drinking alcohol including a 14 year old female. RFC McConkey charged four of the subjects for possession of alcohol by a minor. An adult female was also arrested for

disorderly conduct and taken to the Walker County jail. The 14 year old was turned over to her grandfather.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Bill Bunch and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. During this day several boats were checked resulting in one subject being arrested for boating under the influence.
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 21st, Sgt. Lee Brown conducted a HIN inspection at the State Patrol Post in Cumming. A total of five boats were inspected.
GWINNETT COUNTY On May 23rd, Sgt. Lee Brown assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with promoting the "Wear It" campaign at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. Sgt. Brown along with members of the U. S. Coast Guard talked with the shoppers as they entered and exited the Bass Pro Shop. They answered questions provided informational materials about boating safety and life jacket wear.
On May 24th, Sgt. Lee Brown received a call from the Duluth Police Department requesting assistance with the search for a missing subject suffering from demina. Sgt. Brown met with the Duluth Police Chief at the command post. The search on this day was unsuccessful. A plan was formalized for the next day. On May 25th, a CAT Team (Sgt. Seitz, Cpl. Fulghum, RFC Chambers, RFC Crump, RFC Isom with K-9 Colt and RFC Vickery) from Region II was on scene to assist in searching a 250 acre wooded area along the Chattahoochee River. Sgt. Brown coordinated with the National Park Service and the Gwinnett County Fire Swift Water Team for assistance also. A GSP helicopter and a K-9 handler from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office were called by the Duluth Police Chief for assistance. The GSP helicopter was able to locate the subject in the edge of the Chattahoochee River. The National Park Service boat was able to transport the subject to the Abbott's Bridge boat ramp to an awaiting ambulance. Sgt. Brown was told by the Duluth Police Chief that the Forsyth County Deputy had fallen and broken his ankle and needed assistance getting out of the woods. The DNR CAT Team utilizing an ATV was able to get him out safely.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On May 24th, rangers from Region II were called to assist the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office and State Troopers on the scene with an armed subject in the woods. Capt. Mark Padgett, Sgt. Mike Burgamy, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Mitchell Crump responded to assist. Once on the scene the Rangers were able to assist the Troopers with capturing the subject without incident.

FRANKLIN COUNTY On May 26th, RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl. Craig Fulghum patrolled Lake Hartwell. During the patrol, citations and warnings were issued for 100 foot violations, operating without personal floatation devices, and failure to obey regulatory markers.
HART COUNTY On May 26th, Sgt. Stan Elrod and RFC Josh Chambers patrolled Lake Hartwell. During the patrol citations were issued for towing skier without mirror or observer and failure to obey regulatory markers.
RABUN COUNTY On May 26th, while Corporal Derek Dillard and Rabun County Sheriff's Officer Anthony Welch were patrolling Lake Burton in the area of Wildcat Creek they observed a boat driving erratically by jumping the wake of other boats and passing them in a dangerous manner. Corporal Dillard stopped the boat and could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the 18 year old operator's breath. Corporal Dillard conducted field sobriety exercises on the operator of the boat which he failed. He was arrested and charged with Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol by someone under 21 years of age and Failure to regulate speed.
UNION COUNTY On May 26th, at approximately 4:45 PM, Capt. Mark Padgett, Sgt. Steve Seitz, RFC Anne Alexander, and Intern Jacob Smith responded to a drowning near the dam on Lake Nottley. The officers supported the Union county Sheriff's Office dive team search for the victim. Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Chad Chambers brought the DNR side scan sonar unit to the scene. The DNR officers operated the sonar unit in the area to help divers locate areas to search. The searchers could not locate the victim on this date. The same DNR officers, Union County SO divers, Dawson County dive team searched the area again with the sonar unit and divers on May 27, but could not locate the victim on this date. The search continued on May 28, 2012 with the DNR officers, Union County dive team, and the Georgia State Patrol dive team. The GSP dive team located the victim in over 50 feet of water at approximately 11:00 AM.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 25th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, and RFC Brian Adams arrested one subject for Boating under the Influence off Little River on Clarks Hill Lake. The subject was taken to Columbia County Jail for bond procedures.
On May 26th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins and RFC Leroy Ficklin arrested one subject for Boating under the Influence off Little River on Clarks Hill Lake. The subject was taken to Columbia County Jail for Bond procedures.

NEWTON COUNTY On May 25th, RFC Freddie Hays issued citations for fishing without a license on the Yellow River and assisted the Georgia State Patrol on a driving under the influence stop at Factory Shoals.
On May 21st, RFC Freddie Hays was patrolling Factory Shoals when he noted a female smoking from a wooden pipe. After further investigation, RFC Hays charged the female for possession of marijuana.
LAKE OCONEE On May 20th, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Ricky Boles responded to a boating incident on Lake Oconee. The incident involved a husband and a wife along with their two children. There were minor injuries in the incident and a warning was issued for violation of rules of the road.
On May 20th, RFC Ricky Boles issued two people citations for fishing without a license on Lake Oconee.
GREENE COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Freddie Hays were patrolling Lake Oconee when their vessel was almost struck by another vessel. The Rangers had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. After conducting a vessel stop, the operator was arrested for BUI and taken to Greene County Sheriff's Office.
LAKE OCONEE HOLIDAY WEEKEND Capt. Thomas Barnard, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Sgt. John Harwell, Cpl. Derrell Worth, Cpl. David Allen, RFC's Ricky Boles, Freddie Hays, Richard Tanner issued numerous citations on Lake Oconee. Some of the frequent citations written were failure to obey regulatory markers, towing skiers without PFD, towing skiers without observers, violation of the 100 foot law, and operating PWC without PFDs.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On May 23rd RFC Grant Matherly and RFC Jeff Billips interviewed a concerned citizen in Swainsboro in reference to an investigation that RFC Matherly had been working. The citizen stated that a Mr. Norris and Mr. Wilson of Kite had taken part in killing an alligator on May 03, 2012.
On May 24th, RFC Billips and Matherly went to Kite and spoke with Mr. Norris and asked him about the alligator. Norris stated that they had killed the alligator because they thought that it would become a nuisance to the community. Norris stated that he had taken the alligator to his cabin after Wilson had shot it so that he could skin out the tail and get the meet out of it. Norris signed a consent form to search his property, where the Rangers recovered a piece of skin from the alligator's tail, the skull of the alligator, and 10 quart zip-lock bags containing alligator meat. The Rangers then interviewed Wilson. Wilson stated that he had done nothing wrong by shooting the alligator. The rangers advised him that there are proper steps to follow if someone felt the alligator was being or

going to be a nuisance to the area in which it was located. Wilson stated that he had in fact shot the alligator, but did not feel that he had done anything wrong.
RFC Matherly cited Norris for illegal possession of alligator parts and Wilson for hunting out of season.
CLARKE COUNTY On Sunday May 20th, Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Mark Patterson patrolled Oglethorpe, Clarke, and Oconee counties. They checked several public fishing areas and came up with a total of 7 cases and 3 warnings. The violations encountered were fishing license, insufficient PFD's and registration violations.
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday May 26th, Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Mark Patterson patrolled Lake Russell. They encountered the following violations; one subject towing a skier w/o an observer or wide angle mirror and one subject skiing w/o wearing a personal flotation device.
WILKES COUNTY On Saturday May 26th, Sgt. Matt Garthright patrolled fishing spots around Clarks Hill Lake. While patrolling Holiday Park in Wilkes County, Sgt. Garthright observed one subject submerge and sink a bud light beer can. The subject was issued a citation for Littering in State Waterway.
MCDUUFIE COUNTY On Friday May 25th at around midnight, Sgt. Matt Garthright made a vehicle traffic stop of a vehicle traveling on Interstate 20 after observing the vehicle fail to maintain its lane of travel on several occasions. The vehicle was also traveling at a slow rate of speed for interstate traffic, 45 mph. Further observation of the driver revealed that the driver had taken several prescription drugs. The driver was determined not to be under the influence, but was arrested for several other traffic violations to include: Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving While License Suspended, and Driving without insurance. The case was turned over to McDuffie County Sheriff's Office. On Saturday May 26th, Sgt. Matt Garthright checked 16 fishing license and 1 boat while patrolling the McDuffie PFA. One subject produced a senior 65plus license to Sgt. Garthright. The subject was around 40 years old and a non-resident. The subject was issued a citation for Non-Resident fishing without a WMA stamp on PFA and warned for non-resident fishing with- out a license. The subject also possessed an undersized bass for the PFA.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY / LAKE JACKSON On May 27th, Sgt Tim Kendrick and Cpl. Tony Wynne were patrolling Lake Jackson. After refueling at Martin's Marina, Kendrick and Wynne were leaving the marina's "No Wake Zone" when they saw a man coming out of a cove at high speed on a personal

watercraft (PWC). They saw the man did not have on a personal flotation device. As the Rangers were about to pursue the PWC, the man saw the Rangers and idled over to them to explain he was not doing anything wrong. The man was issued a citation for operating a PWC without wearing a Coast Guard Approved PFD and escorted safely back to shore.
Later that same day, Kendrick and Wynne caught a woman towing a person on a tube 15 minutes after sunset. The vessel was also short one wearable PFD. The operator was issued warnings for the violations.
HENRY COUNTY On May 23 Cpl. Wanda Roberts, RFC Kevin Godbee and RFC Travis Sweat assisted in recovering the body of an apparent drowning victim from the Upper Towaliga Reservoir in Henry County.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On May 20th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver, and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen were checking boat landing activity at Lake Oliver marina. The officer's noticed a subject driving a boat away from the dock. Cpl. Bolen identified the subject as someone that he had previously arrested for operating a vessel under the influence. Cpl. Bolen checked the data base for boating suspensions. The individual's boating privileges were still shown as being suspended. The officer's waited on the boat to come back into the marina. After speaking with the subject it was discovered that his boating privileges were still suspended. The subject was arrested and taken to the Muscogee County jail for operating a vessel while privileges were suspended.
TROUP COUNTY On Saturday, May 26th, Ranger Russell Epps and Sgt Jim Bradfield were patrolling West Point Lake in Troup County. The Rangers received a complaint from a Troup County Deputy about a ski boat leaving the Pyne Rd Park area with multiple intoxicated persons aboard. After a brief search this boat was located with the operator driving the boat while seated on the gunwale. After stopping the boat is was determined that the operator was intoxicated and he was placed under arrest for BUI, riding on the gunwale, and overloaded vessel. While in custody this boat operator became obstructive and later admitted that he had been obstructive on purpose just to generate conflict.
SPALDING COUNTY On May 26 RFC Travis Sweat and Sgt. Brent Railey patrolled West Point Lake. They issued several citations for boating and fishing violations, including an arrest for BUI and allowing a passenger to ride the bow of a vessel.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On May 22nd, while conducting a patrol in a recreation area, Ranger Chris Carlisle observed an individual littering. Carlisle stopped the vehicle and found the driver impaired and in possession of illegal prescription pills and the passenger also in

possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana and illegal prescription pills. Both subjects were arrested and turned over to the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit.
CRISP COUNTY On May 19th, RFC Tommy Lawrence and Cpl. Ronnie Beard investigated a boating incident. The operator was attempting to dock his boat at a marina when the throttle cable malfunctioned; the boat then accelerated and struck the dock causing the boat to capsize. There was minor damage to the dock and the operator was not injured.
DECATUR COUNTY On May 20th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Randy Davis conducted a boating safety patrol on the Flint River and Lake Seminole. One vessel operator was arrested and charged for BUI Child Endangerment, and failure to obey a regulatory marker.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On May 26th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Sgt. Ellis Wynn conducted a boating safety patrol on Lake Seminole and the Chattahoochee River. One vessel operator was arrested and charged with BUI. STEWART COUNTY On Friday afternoon Cpl. Steve Robinson conducted a patrol during a special hog hunt on Hannahatchee WMA. Two hunters were cited for hunting without a wma stamp.
LEE COUNTY On May 26th, Ranger Chris Carlisle and Cpl. Greg Wade were patrolling the Kinchafoonee Creek to address boating safety complaints. The Rangers observed a vessel being operated above idle speed in an idle only area. Upon stopping the vessel and discussing the violation with the operator, it was determined the subject was under the influence. The vessel operator was arrested and charged for his violations.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WARE COUNTY On May 24th, RFC Mark Pool and Cpl. Jason Shipes were checking local boat landings along the Satilla River for fishing activity. At the Blackshear Landing five fishing licenses were checked resulting in verbal guidance being given on how to obtain fishing licenses.

CHARLTON COUNTY On May 26th, RFC Mark Pool and Cpl. Gary Simmons were patrolling the St. Mary's River for boating and fishing activity. Five boats and two fishing licenses were checked resulting in two citations and three warnings for various boating violations. Several other violations were handled with verbal guidance.
On May 26th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Cpl. Jason Shipes patrolled Laura S. Walker State Park Lake, Burnt Fort landing on the Satilla River, Camp Pinckney and Trader's Hill landings on the St. Mary's River for boating activity. Verbal guidance was issued for towing a skier with a personal watercraft without an observer and fishing without licenses. Two vessels were escorted back to the shore due to operation without personal flotation devices (PFD's) on board. Cpl. Shipes explained the serious safety issue of not having any PFD's on board.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 25th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety/fishing activity. Several boats and fishing licenses were inspected. A total of one violation consisting of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's was documented.
On May 26th, RFC Brandon Pierce, Cpl. Eddie Akins, and Sgt. Don Dasher patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety/fishing activity, as well as, the holiday weekend traffic. A total of twelve boats and ten fishing licenses were checked. As a result of the inspections a total of three violations were documented. The violations consisted of allowing an underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing a PFD, operating a vessel without registration, and fishing without a license.
On May 27th, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety/fishing activity, as well as, the holiday weekend traffic. The officers assisted a stranded vessel containing nine individuals. The boat and subjects were towed to the nearest landing and released at the scene safely. Later the officers responded to a possible illegal hunting complaint off the Savannah River and patrolled river landings. The officers checked eight boats and eight fishing licenses. As a result of the inspections a total of three violations were documented. The violations consisted of towing a person within a 100' of object/shore above idle speed, operating a vessel without registration, and operating a vessel without CGA PFD's.
On May 28th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings along the Savannah River for boating safety/fishing activity. A total of six boats and six fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection, one violation consisting of operating a vessel without CGA PFD's was documented.
LAURENS COUNTY On Saturday May 26, 2012 Cpl. Dan Stiles, Cpl. Johnny Ashe, and RFC Rodney Horne worked a detail at the annual "Red Neck Games" held at Buckeye Park and boat landing

in East Dublin. Several citations were issued for littering and possession of alcohol by minor.
EVANS COUNTY On May 27th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity at Canoochee River landings and the Evans Public fishing area. Violations were documented for fishing without licenses, fishing on a PFA without a WMA license, and operating a vessel with expired registration.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On the night of May 25th, Cpl. Barry Britt patrolled Hinson landing and charged an 18 year old and a 19 year old with possession of alcohol by an underage person and littering.
On May 26th, Cpl. Barry Britt patrolled Uvalda landing along the Altamaha River and checked several boats and fishing licenses. He gave verbal guidance to a boat operator who had an oversized life jacket on a child less than ten years of age.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
MCINTOSH COUNTY On the morning of May 26, 2012, information was received that some of the sea turtle nests on Sapelo Island had been robbed of their eggs. Based on all the information available it was decided to contact a K-9 handler and attempt to catch someone bringing the eggs off of the island on the Sapelo Ferry. K-9 Officer RFC Tim Hutto was contacted and immediately agreed to assist. The next morning Ranger Jeremy Reese, RFC Tim Hutto and K-9 Gauge, Cpl Chris Ridley, Cpl Jimmy Finn and Sgt. Wayne Hubbard met in Meridian and conducted an inspection of baggage coming off of the ferry utilizing the K-9. The dog alerted on a duffle bag and the owner was asked for consent to search. Consent was granted and 156 sea turtle eggs were discovered inside. After further investigation, a small amount of marijuana was found in the bag and a handgun was located in the subject's vehicle. The individual had admitted to being a convicted felon. The charges are being sent to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The turtle egg charges were turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers.
BRYAN COUNTY On May 26th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and RFC Jack Thain patrolled the Ogeechee River from Ft. Argyle to Strathy Hall. Two boaters were cited for operating boats without enough life jackets and another boater was cited for having improper size life jackets. Two PWCs were cited for operating above idle speed within 100 feet of a bridge. Later that evening, RFC Thain cited a boater at the Demeries Creek ramp for operating a boat without any lights during hours of darkness. On May 26th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, Sgt. James Shelton, and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the Medway River towards St. Catherine's Sound. One boater was cited for operating under

the influence. The operator refused to submit to a breath test so his boating privileges will be suspended for a minimum period of one year. LIBERTY COUNTY On May 25th, Cpl. Jay Morgan, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area, citing one fisherman for possession of an under-size shark. CHATHAM COUNTY On May 22, RFC Buster Cooper was selected as the NOAA Federal Fisheries Officer of the Year for the State of Georgia. On May 22, Cpl. Chris Moore was selected as Region VII's Ranger of the year, as well as Waterfowl Officer of the Year.
On May 25, Ranger Kiel Toney, Ranger Kate Hargrove, Cpl. Chris Moore, and Sgt. Cindy Miller boarded shrimp boats checking for compliance with State and Federal laws concerning Turtle Excluder Devices (TED's), by-catch reduction devices (BRD's), and permits for shrimping in Federal waters. All boats boarded this day were in compliance. On May 26, Ranger Kiel Toney, Cpl. Bill Bryson, and Sgt. Cindy Miller patrolled the salt waters of Chatham County. These rangers checked several boats throughout the day resulting in several citations being issued. Citations were issued for insufficient life jackets, 100 foot law violations, and an individual riding a jet ski without a life jacket on. GLYNN COUNTY On May 26th, RFC Craig Smith and RFC John Evans responded to a complaint on the southern end of Jekyll Island. Upon arrival, officers learned observed several subjects in the area near a creek on the north end and St Andrews beach. Officers also discovered

that a seine net was being used as a gill net and had been secured across the mouth of the creek. One subject was cited for illegal use of a seine net as well as possession of undersize fish.
On May 23, Sgt. Chris Hodge, Cpl. Wil Smith, Rangers Kiel Toney and Kate Hargrove, and 2 NOAA agents conducted a commercial fishery patrol offshore of Jekyll Island. While checking commercial shrimp boats for Turtle Excluder Device compliance, the Rangers saw a commercial shrimp vessel that appeared to be fishing inside closed state waters. They approached the vessel and confirmed that it was in closed waters and they boarded the vessel. They inspected the TEDs and found 2 federal violations as well. The vessel was taken to a local seafood dealer where the shrimp were offloaded and sold. The captain was cited for using power drawn nets in closed waters and charges are pending for the Federal TED violations.
On May 26th, RFC John Evans was patrolling Altamaha Park in Glynn County when he encountered a boat about to be launched at the ramp that had expired registration. When asked about the registration, the operator stated it was his cousins' boat and that he had not yet registered the boat. RFC Evans checked the old registration numbers on his MDT, which returned no results. He then checked the HIN and the boat came back stolen from Henry County in 2008. The boat was seized and the investigation was turned over to the Henry County Sheriff's Office.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On May 21, Cpl. Billy Reed presented a boating safety program to Mrs. Stevens Kindergarten class at Hoboken Elementary School. Students were instructed on how to properly wear a life jacket and the importance of safe boating.