Field operations weekly report, 2012 June 17-23

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 17-23, 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)
HALL COUNTY On June 18th, RFC Mark Stephens responded to a fatal boating incident at Shoal Creek in Hall County. One of the vessels that was involved in the collision was not present when they arrived on scene. Rfc. Stephens and Rfc. Mitchell Crump located the vessel later that night at a marina. Officer Stephens arrested the individual that left the scene of the boating incident for boating under the influence of alcohol. Over the next week an extensive search was conducted to recover the body of a juvenile that was missing from the incident. Officers from Hall County, Cobb County, and the FBI have assisted with the search. Officers have used side scan sonar, underwater cameras, and divers to assist in the search. The search is still being conducted.
On June 21st, thru 25th, Rfc. Eric Isom and K9 "Colt" participated in a night time security detail for the Shoal Creek boat incident at the Lanier Park in Hall County and Department of Natural Resources Command Post.
During the week of June 18th, Sgt. Stan Elrod, Cpl. Craig Fulghum, Rfc. Shane Sartor, Rfc. Tim Vickery, and Rfc. Josh Chambers assisted with the search for a missing juvenile from a boating incident that occurred on June 18th.
On June 23rd, 2012 Rfc. Mark Stephens and Cpl. Bill Bunch were patrolling Lake Lanier in Forsyth County near Port Royale Marina. Officer Stephens stopped a vessel with improper navigation lights. The individual was arrested for boating under the influence and operating a vessel with improper navigation lights.
On June 24th, 2012 Rfc. Mark Stephens and Cpl. Bill Bunch were patrolling Hall County on Lake Lanier. Officer Bunch located a PWC beached on the shoreline of an island. Rfc. Stephens smelled the odor of marijuana in the air. Rfc. Stephens arrested an individual for violation of Georgia Controlled Substance law. The individual was transported to the Hall county detention center for processing.
FORSYTH COUNTY On June 17th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Rfc. Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lake Lanier in the Bald Ridge Creek area. The rangers stopped a PWC for violating the 100' law. Cpl. Sanders detected the odor of alcohol on the operator. The operator was screened for BUI. The operator was arrested for BUI and violating the 100' law.
GWINNETT COUNTY On June 24th, 2012 Rfc. Mark Stephens assisted the Gwinnett county police department with a burglary on Buford Dam Rd. Suspects were taken into custody.
On June 23rd, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted a HIN inspection at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. A total of 22 boats were inspected.

FRANKLIN COUNTY On June 23rd, Rfc. Josh Chambers and Sgt. Stan Elrod patrolled Lake Hartwell. During the patrol, citations and warning were written for allowing children under the age of 10 to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a personal floatation device, allowing persons to ride on gunwale, and operating over recommended capacity.
TOWNS COUNTY On June 17th, while on routine boat patrol, Cpl. Jesse Cook and Intern Katie Adair observed a wave-runner that was tied of to a dock that was partially under water. Cpl. Cook and Intern Adair made several efforts at locating the owner to advise them of the situation with their wave-runner. After numerous attempts the owners were finally contacted and Cpl. Cook and Intern Adair assisted them with getting the wave-runner to a suitable location to prevent it from sinking further until a salvage vessel could come collect it.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
BURKE COUNTY On June 21st and 22nd, RFC Jeff Billips gave presentations to the Wimberly House Summer Camp and the Burke County Library in Midville. The presentations covered the natural history of the American Alligator and various methods utilized by trappers for the removal of nuisance alligators. RFC Billips brought a live alligator and the equipment used to capture alligators.
CLARKE /OCONEE On Sunday June 17th, Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Mark Patterson patrolled several parks and along the river. The violations they encountered were; fishing w/o license, no personal flotation devices in a vessel and registration violations.
LAKE LANIER On Tuesday June 19th, RFC Phillip Nelson and RFC Mark Patterson went to assist with the body recovery effort of the subject missing from the boat incident in Shoal Creek near the Buford Dam. They were there from 9:30 Tuesday night until 06:30 Wednesday morning.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On June 22-24th, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Leroy Ficklin, and RFC Robert Timmerman worked a marine event at Wildwood Park on Clarks Hill Lake. The event consisted of three days of boat races.
GREENE COUNTY On June 20-21st, Cpl. David Allen and Intern Matt Johnson taught a boating safety class at Del Webb retirement community. The class had seventeen participants and all received a boating safety certificate.

LAKE OCONEE On June 23rd, Sgt. John Harwell, Cpl. David Allen, and Intern Matt Johnson provided water security for the Global Tri -Athlon. The event had approximately 100 swimmers swimming various distances at Parks Ferry. The event went without incident and all swimmers successfully completed the course.
On June 23rd, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Freddie Hays issued citations for insufficient PFDs on a vessel, towing w/out observer on a PWC, and towing skier w/out a PFD on a PWC.
On June 23rd, RFC Richard Tanner issued several citations for towing skier on a PWC w/out an observer, one citation for allowing child under 10 to ride in a moving vessel w/out a PFD, and issued verbal warnings for wake zone violations.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
FAYETTE COUNTY On Sunday June 17 Sgt. Brent Railey and Cpl. Keith Waddell patrolled Pigeon Creek WMA on the Flint River for ATV trespassers and alcohol use on the area.
HEARD COUNTY On June 21st, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen and Sgt. Brent Railey performed 2 Information and Education programs at a church day camp. The participants shot BB guns and learned about shooting fundamentals and gun safety. Cpl. Bolen also performed a K-9 demonstration with K-9 Ruger. The program discussed the department's K-9 program and their abilities. Cpl. Bolen also performed an obedience and wildlife detection demonstration with Ruger
On June 19th, 20th and 21st Sgt. Brent Railey, Cpl. Wana Roberts, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen, RFC Travis Sweat and Ranger David Fisher went to Rockridge Baptist Assembly in Franklin to conduct BB gun safety and firing education programs. Cpl. Bolen and K9 Ruger also educated the campers on the department's K9 unit and its capabilities.

MUSCOGEE COUNTY On Saturday June 23rd, Sgt. Jim Bradfield and Ranger Russell Epps responded to a boating accident on Lake Oliver in the Green Island Hills area. A boater operating an aluminum fishing boat ran into a boathouse and the ski boat parked inside causing significant damage to boat boats. The operator and passenger were ejected from the boat and the operator sustained a dislocated shoulder and minor scrapes.

TROUP COUNTY On June 18th, Ranger David Fisher presented an Information and Education program at First Presbyterian Church in Lagrange, Ga. The Program topic was the role of Law Enforcement within DNR. Various wildlife skins and parts were used throughout the program for educational purposes on the different wildlife species the state has to offer.
On June 23rd, Sgt. Jim Bradfied responded to a Jet Ski accident on West Point Lake near Bird Creek. Cpl. Wanda Roberts and Cpl. Mitch Oliver also responded as well. The female operator ran the Jet Ski aground and was thrown from Jet Ski landing on a pile of rocks. She sustained several lacerations and a broken arm.
On June 23rd, Sgt. Bradfield assisted the Troup County Sheriff's office with a DUI traffic stop in a rural section on Troup County. The DUI driver had been reported by another motorist as striking a guard rail on the Interstate 85 then continuing to drive. The driver was arrested for DUI and arrangements were made by the intoxicated passenger to be picked up at the scene.
LAKE LANIER During the week of June 20 Cpl. Wanda Roberts, Cpl. Keith Waddell and RFC Travis Sweat went to lake Lanier to assist with the search for a missing teenager.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On June 23rd, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. Several vessels were inspected for boating safety equipment and registration with no violations documented. Anglers were checked for fishing and WMA licenses with verbal guidance given to three individuals for fishing without WMA licenses. Several PFA visitors were educated and given verbal guidance for not obtaining a Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP).
LAURENS COUNTY On Friday June 22nd, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. Two anglers were checked for fishing and WMA licenses. A verbal warning was given to one angler for fishing without WMA license.
On June 23rd, Cpl. John A. Stokes, Sgt. David Reckley, and Cpl. James McLaughlin patrolled boat landings on the Oconee River for boating safety. One boat registration violation was documented at Buckeye Landing in East Dublin.
BULLOCH COUNTY June 21st Cpl. Dave Sims and Sgt. Don Dasher assisted DNR's Investigative Unit with an undercover purchase of a protected Alligator Snapping Turtle and two wild animal

species, a cobra and a crocodile from two residents at an apartment complex in Statesboro Georgia. Charges were filed for possession/sale of wild animals without a permit and possession/sale of non-game species.
APPLING COUNTY On June 23rd, RFC Chase Altman, RFC Clint Jarriel, RFC Debbie Brannen, and Cpl. Jon Barnard worked complaints at Moody Forest WMA and at Davis Landing. ATVs were used to patrol the river corridor and WMA.
TOOMBS COUNTY On June 19th, Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled fishing areas along Rocky Creek checking two fisherman and issuing two warnings for fishing without a license.
On June 23rd, Cpl. Jon Barnard, RFC Clint Jarriel, RFC Debbie Brannen and RFC Chase Altman conducted HIN inspections at the Toombs County Courthouse assisting 27 boat owners with boat inspections and registration issues.
LANIER COUNTY On June 22nd, RFC Tim Hutto received a tip from a US Fish and Wildlife Service Officer that someone possibly had alligator hooks set on Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Lakeland. Sgt. Damon Winters, RFC Hutto, RFC Mark Pool and Cpl. Morty Wood patrolled in and around Banks Lake on the night of June 22nd into the early morning of June 23rd, but nothing was found. At around 2:30 a.m. on the morning of June 24th, RFC Tim Hutto, Cpl. Morty Wood, and K-9 "Gauge" utilized a foot patrol along the waters edge to locate several set hooks for alligators. Around daylight on the morning of June 24th, one subject entered the area armed with a .22 magnum revolver and checked the set hooks. The subject was questioned and charged with hunting alligators out of season. The hooks and cables were confiscated, as well as a stolen .22 magnum revolver.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On June 20th, Park Manager Danny Brown at Fort McAllister State Park received a call from Seminole County Sheriff's Dept. in Florida advising him that a 14 year old female runaway had been tracked by her cell phone to the park. The runaway female was supposed to be accompanied by two Hispanic males (ages 23 & 48) who had stolen a car in Florida. Officer Brown found the female and the 23 yr. old suspect, called for assistance from the local sheriff's dept., and initiated a felony stop on the suspects' vehicle. Both suspects were taken into custody and taken to Bryan County Jail where they were later released to custody of the Florida's Seminole County Sheriff's Dept. officers.
On June 22nd, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Trey Taylor were patrolling in county when they checked several fishermen at the Ft. McAllister boat dock. One fisherman was cited for possession of undersized whiting and croakers.
On June 23rd, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Trey Taylor conducted a HIN/boat registration inspection at Hendrix Park and assisted in helping seven boat owners with the registration of their vessels.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On June 23, Sgt. Chris Hodge and RFC Craig Smith conducted a concentrated patrol for boating activity near the Hwy 82 bridge on the Satilla River. Officers checked several boats and issued citations for operating without PFD's and operating without registration.
On June 23, Sgt. Chris Hodge, RFC Craig Smith, and RFC David Brady responded and assisted Brantley County Sheriff's Office with locating a fugitive near the Waynesville area. The deputy was attempting to arrest the suspect for a warrant when the suspect began to fight with the deputy. Department of Corrections K-9 Officers from Ware State Prison responded as well and was able to locate the suspect in the woods a short time after arriving.
GLYNN COUNTY On June 22, RFC David Brady and RFC Craig Smith were conducting an aerial patrol with Captain Ed Watkins to check numerous complaint areas in Glynn, Camden and Brantley Counties. While in the air, the officers received a call regarding a vessel that was taking on water in the St Simons Sound. Sgt. Chris Hodge and Sgt. Mark Carson responded by vessel and were able to locate the 16' vessel that was occupied by one adult and two juveniles. The vessel had taken a large wave over the stern. The occupants were able to put on life jackets and stay with the vessel. The officers assisted the occupants with pumping out the vessel and escorted them back to Jekyll Creek Ramp.

CAMDEN COUNTY On June 19th and 21st, Cpl. Wil Smith taught a Boating Education Class at Crooked River State Park. Three students successfully completed the course and were certified as safe boaters.
On June 22, during Operation Dry Water weekend, Cpl. Wil Smith was checking area boat ramps when he observed a vessel pass within 100 feet of a bridge at a high rate of speed. When the vessel approached the boat ramp, Cpl. Smith approached the operator. Cpl. Smith completed a safety inspection and also identified four children in the vessel under the age of 14. Cpl. Smith detected an odor of alcohol about the subject and performed field sobriety exercises as well. Cpl. Smith determined that the subject was impaired and a test taken later at the Camden County Sheriff's Office indicated the operator had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. The subject was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, child endangerment, and operating a vessel within 100 feet of an object.
WAYNE/MCINTOSH COUNTY June 19-22, the Wayne, Long and McIntosh county work section along with assistance from the Brantley, Camden and Glynn work section escorted a float trip, Paddle Georgia, down the Altamaha River from Wayne County to Darien. There were approximately 350 kayaks and canoes participating in the event. Officers involved were Ranger Jeremy Reese, RFC John Evans, RFC Randy Aspinwall, Corp. Chris Ridley, Corp. Bobby White, Corp. Wil Smith, Sgt. Wayne Hubbard and Capt. Doug Lewis. The DNR officers were on scene for safety and to prevent anyone from becoming lost.
On June 23rd, Corp. Bobby White and RFC David Brady arrested one subject for BUI on the Altamaha River near Jaycee Landing during Operation Dry Water.