Field operations weekly report, 2012 June 24-30

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 24-30, 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 June 20th, Cpl. Lee Burns assisted Cherokee County Parks and Recreation with their 2012 Fishing Camp. The thirty kids met the Buford Trout Stocking Truck at Stamp Creek within Pine Log WMA and assisted with trout stocking. After stocking the creek, bucket-by-bucket, Cpl. Burns spoke to the kids about safety around trout streams; specifically about slick rocks and snakes. Copperheads and timber rattlers are very common within the Stamp Creek Watershed. The kids then spread out up and down the creek catching their very first rainbow trout. The fishing event quickly turned into a crawfish expedition and a huge success for the 2012 Cherokee County Fishing Camp.
On June 19th, Cpl. Lee Burns and Cpl. Byron Young traveled to Lake Lanier to assist with recovery operations of a missing thirteen year old from a boat accident the previous night. Within ten minutes of being on Lake Lanier, Cpl. Burns and Cpl. Jason Roberson were contacted by Major Stephen Adams to respond to another boat accident not far from their location. Arriving at the scene, Cpl. Roberson questioned the operator about the accident and found the operator to be under the influence of alcohol. Cpl. Roberson administered field sobriety and found the eighteen year old to be intoxicated. The operator was arrested and charged with boating under the influence.

On June 22nd, Cpl. Lee Burns was attempting to check fishermen in Illinois Creek on Allatoona Lake. About the time Cpl. Burns got to the fishermen another vessel passed within 100 feet. Cpl. Burns noticed the operator completely turned around doing something in the rear of his vessel. Cpl. Burns stopped the vessel and immediately noticed a strong odor of alcohol. Cpl. Burns administered field sobriety and found him to be intoxicated. The operator was arrested and charged for boating under the influence. Cpl. Burns towed the passenger and vessel back to Galt's Ferry Landing.
On June 23rd, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Lee Burns, RFC Barton Hendrix and Corps of Engineer Ranger Jake Albers teamed up on Allatoona Lake for the Annual National Operation Dry Water Campaign seeking out potential subjects operating vessels under the influence. Several operators were screened for alcohol and released with more sober boat operators behind the wheel. Cpl. Burns and Ranger Albers stopped a vessel for violating rules of the road in a blind spot in one of the sharp bends of the Etowah River. As the rangers initiated their blue lights, the operator slid out from behind the wheel and dove into the lake attempting to hide behind the out drive of the vessel. After talking the operator back into the vessel, it was determined that he and his skier had been consuming alcohol. Cpl. Burns administered field sobriety on both subjects and found both to be intoxicated. The operator was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence and the skier was arrested for skiing under the influence.
On June 26th, the Allatoona Lake Work Section completed their annual equipment inspection. Major Walter Rabon, Captain Johnny Johnson and Sergeant Brian Keener went through all the rangers' assigned equipment with a fine-toothed comb insuring readiness for fiscal year 2012-2013.
On June 23rd, RFC Chad Cox and Cpl. Chip Cox, assigned to the Calhoun Region, assisted the rangers on Lake Lanier with ongoing search and rescue efforts regarding the tragic boat accident on Lake Lanier the week before. They were assigned to patrol Shoal Creek and make regular checks to look for the body of the missing 13 year old. During that patrol in Sunset Cove they encountered a Personal Watercraft doing "donuts" within 40 feet of the Tow Boat USA that was attempting to help a stranded boater. The rangers quickly pulled the PWC over and found it to be operated by an 18 year old young man who had been heavily drinking. The 18 year was tested for alcohol and found to be under the influence. He was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and operating a PWC within 100 feet of another vessel at more than idle speed.
On June 30th, Major Stephen Adams and Cpl. Byron Young were patrolling Lake Allatoona in the area of the Allatoona Yacht Club. Using night vision goggles Major Adams saw a boat traveling without navigation lights. Cpl. Young stopped the boat and found the operator of the boat to be under the age of 21 and under the influence of alcohol. The operator was checked and found to be impaired by alcohol. The operator was charged with operating a vessel without lights and boating under the influence (BUI.).

On July 01st, RFC Brooks Varnell was patrolling on Lake Allatoona in the area of Little River Marina. His partner, RFC Bart Hendrix, was on the way to the Cherokee County Jail with an intoxicated boat operator that they had just arrested. While he was waiting on his partner, he saw a vessel leaving the marina that matched the description of a boat reported to have an intoxicated operator. RFC Varnell stopped the vessel and the operator was indeed impaired by alcohol. The operator was arrested for BUI and transported to the Cherokee County jail.
On June 30th, Cpl. Chip Cox and Cpl. Lee Burns received a call from the Georgia State Patrol Post in Cartersville. The dispatcher told them that the Red Top Mountain DNR State Park Ranger, Jason Harrison, had called and told them that he had a man who was drunk and disorderly. Ranger Harrison was attempting to talk to him about his drunk and disorderly behavior in the park when the man suddenly jumped into Allatoona Lake and swam across a cove. Cpl. Cox and Cpl. Burns were just a short distance away and got there in several minutes. They called for backup and Major Stephen Adams, RFC Brooks Varnell, and RFC Bart Hendrix responded. Several rangers entered the woods at the point where the man came out of the water. They found him attempting to hide behind a fallen log a few minutes later. The belligerent man was taken into custody and turned over to the DNR Red Top Mountain State Park Ranger and charged with several counts of disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
On June 30th, Cpl. Chip Cox and RFC Bart Hendrix were working in the area of Illinois Creek on Lake Allatoona. Illinois Creek is known as a "party cove". The officers noticed a boat coming out of the area with an improper registration, displaying a Florida registration sticker alongside a Georgia registration number. The boat was stopped for the improper registration and the rangers also completed a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, Cpl. Cox noticed that the operator had glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. The operator was asked if he had been drinking that day and he replied that he had drunk "6 or 7 beers all day". There was a plastic garbage bag hanging off the side of the boat with several dozen empty beer cans. The operator was tested and found to be under the influence of alcohol. There were also four children on board, all under the age of 14. The operator was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and child endangerment.
On June 30th, Sgt. Mike Barr and Ranger Zack Hardy were patrolling Lake Allatoona near Bethany Bridge. They noticed a man using a water foot ski device attached to a personal watercraft. The ski boot utilized the discharge water from the personal watercraft via a hose and created lift with water pressure. The operator stated that when fully functional, the ski boot device would allow him to "jet" up to thirty feet in the air which was the length of the hose connected to the personal watercraft.

CARROLL COUNTY Multiple complaints have come in on subjects fishing without permission on Snake Creek Reservoir. On June 23rd, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling several area lakes including Snake Creek Reservoir. During his patrol 4 subjects were issued citations for fishing without permission along with 1 other that was cited for fishing without a license. Around midnight, Cpl. Brown came up on a vehicle on Laurel Rd. in Buffalo Swamp. As Cpl. Brown slowed to see if they were fishing, he noticed 5 subjects in the vehicle. He stopped his patrol vehicle and shined a flashlight into the truck and as the driver rolled down the window he immediately smelled marijuana. The truck was searched and a small bag of marijuana along with a packed glass pipe were found. Two subjects were charged with violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
FANNIN COUNTY On June 21st, RFC Cody Jones and RFC Joe Hill utilized kayaks to patrol the Toccoa River. The officers checked 6 boats and 5 fishermen. One citation and one warning were issued for license violations.
FLOYD COUNTY On June 30th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway, Cpl. Tommy Gentry, RFC Ben Cunningham and RFC Roger McConkey conducted a vessel inspection site at the Lock and Dam Park on the Coosa River. 15 boats were inspected.

MURRAY COUNTY On June 17th , Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener performed CPR on a fourteen year old drowning victim. The incident occurred on Carters Lake near the dam. While on lake patrol, the Rangers observed a large number of people near the water's edge. After pulling closer to the scene the Rangers observed a person doing chest compressions on the young boy. The Rangers immediately assisted at the scene calling for EMS and taking over the CPR efforts. The boy was later pronounced dead at the Murray County Hospital.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HART COUNTY On June 30th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and Sgt. Stan Elrod patrolled boating safety on Lake Hartwell. One subject was arrested for obstruction and operating with improper registration after disobeying a lawful command.
On June 30th, Rfc. Shane Sartor and Rfc. Josh Chambers patrolled the south end of Lake Hartwell. They worked the annual fireworks show at the Hartwell Dam. A few violations were seen and verbal advice was given to correct the violations.
GWINNETT COUNTY
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On June 24 , Cpl. Eric Sanders and Rfc. Mark Stephens assisted Gwinnett County Police with a burglary in progress on Buford Dam Road. With the assistance from the rangers two subjects were caught and arrested.
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On June 30 , Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled the Chattahoochee River by boat. The rangers checked 400 plus canoes, boats and inner tubes on the river. The rangers encountered subjects fishing with or possessing illegal bait in the artificial only section of the river. Written warnings and citations were issued for these infractions. Written warnings and citations were issued for subjects operating a vessel without a PFD or with insufficient PFD's.
HALL COUNTY
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On June 24 , Cpl. Eric Sanders and Rfc. Shane Sartor were patrolling Lake Lanier for fishing and boating violations. During the patrol the rangers arrested one subject for BUI and failure to obey regulatory marker and another one for BUI and not having their registration numbers displayed.
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On June 30 Rfc. Mitchell Crump and Rfc. Eric Isom were patrolling Lake Lanier for fishing and boating violations. The rangers arrested one subject for BUI and Child endangerment. They also encountered violations of towing skier without and observer and operating with improper lights.

On July 1st, Rfc. Mark Stephens and Rfc. Eric Isom responded to two boating incidents on Lake Lanier. The incidents included injuries. All individuals were treated and released at the local hospital.
FORSYTH COUNTY On June 30th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk patrolled Lake Lanier by boat. During the patrol he issued 11 citations and warnings and made 1 arrest for boating under the influence.
On June 30th, Cpl. Jason Roberson patrolled Lake Lanier. He made two arrests for operating a vessel under the influence.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Monday June 25th, Sgt. Brian Carter was at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth teaching E.V.O.C for truck and SUV to a class of GBI Officers.
On Saturday June 30th, RFC Phillip Nelson traveled to the Savannah area to assist officers patrolling coastal waters on a concentrated patrol during the night hours.
ELBERT COUNTY On Friday June 29th, Lake Russell held their annual fireworks show at the Lake Russell State Park. Sgt. Brian Carter, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Phillip Nelson were on the lake to assist with this event. They encountered several light violations and several expired vessel registrations.
GREENE COUNTY On Saturday June 30th, while on the way to patrol Lake Oconee, RFC Ricky Boles observed a vehicle weaving in and out of traffic and traveling at speeds of 100 mph. RFC Boles conducted a traffic stop and when he approached the vehicle, he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the drivers' side compartment. RFC Boles asked for consent to search, which was granted. RFC Boles found approximately a pound of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in the trunk in a black duffle bag. The driver of the vehicle was placed under arrest and charged with reckless driving and felony possession of a controlled substance.
LAKE OCONEE On Saturday June 30th, Sgt. John Harwell and Cpl. David Allen patrolled Lake Oconee. Several violations were documented including towing skiers after hours.
On June 26th, RFC Richard Tanner presented a presentation to the Board of Natural Resources at Twin Towers. The presentation was on the newly purchased sonar unit.
On June 26-28th, RFC Richard Tanner responded to Lake Lanier and assisted with the body recovery of the thirteen year old boy involved in a previous boating incident. RFC Tanner assisted the FBI in the recovery by using the side scan sonar. Region III Rangers,

Captain Thomas Barnard and Cpl. Ben Payne assisted with the recovery effort as well on these days.
LINCOLN COUNTY On July 1st, Capt. Thomas Barnard, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Brian Adams, and RFC Robert Timmerman assisted Lincoln County Sheriff's Office when a strong group of storms hit the county. These storms caused severe damage to the entire county.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On June 23, RFC Allen Mills, Cpl Lynn Stanford, Sgt Bo Kelly and intern Joey Henderson conducted boat patrol on Lake Sinclair. Three boaters were arrested for boating under the influence and transported to the Baldwin County Jail. Several other boating infractions were also addressed.
BUTTS COUNTY While patrolling Jackson Lake on June 29th, SGT Tim Kendrick and RFC Billy Bryant stopped a vessel around 10:30 p.m. for operating with improper lights. After a short investigation, the operator was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and operating a vessel with improper lights.
While patrolling Jackson Lake June on 30th, RFC Travis Sweat and RFC Billy Bryant stopped a PWC for operating a personal watercraft between the hours of sunset and sunrise at approximately 9:15 p.m. After a short investigation, the operator was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and operating a PWC after sunset.
BUTTS COUNTY On June 30th, RFC Travis Sweat and RFC Billy Bryant were patrolling Lake Jackson in the "Big Water" area. The two Rangers spotted a Blue PWC head toward the dam. The Rangers then activated blue lights and made the stop. Once stopped RFC Sweat could smell an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the operator. RFC Sweat conducted field sobriety exercises and asked for a State administered chemical test of the operator's breath. The operator refused to submit to the breath test. At this point RFC Sweat placed the operator under arrest for Boating under the Influence and Operating a PWC during hours of darkness. He was transported by the Butts County Sheriff's Office to the jail for processing.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On June 30th, Sgt. Brent Railey, Cpl. Keith Waddell and Cpl. Wanda Roberts patrolled the Pigeon Creek WMA area for activity.

PUTNAM COUNTY On June 22nd, Cpl Lynn Stanford and Sgt Bo Kelly, along with intern Joey Henderson, conducted boat patrol on Lake Sinclair. One boater was arrested for boating under the influence and taken to the Putnam County Jail.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOOLY COUNTY On 06/29/2012 Major Walter Rabon and Cpl. Al Greer were patrolling the Flint River in Dooly County for boating violations. The officers encountered a vessel traveling south on the Flint River occupied by two white male subjects. The driver of the vessel attempted to hide his beer when he passed the officers. Cpl. Greer and Major Rabon turned around to stop the vessel. While approaching the vessel the passenger and the driver swapped places. The officers stopped the vessel and determined that both subjects were under the influence of alcohol. Both subjects were placed under arrest for operating a vessel under the influence and transported to the Dooly County Jail. Both subjects were over twice the legal limit for alcohol.
DECATUR COUNTY On June 30TH, Corporal Randy Davis and Ranger Kevin Goss worked a boating safety patrol on Lake Seminole. Several vessels were cited for personal flotation devices violations. One subject was cited for towing skier on a personal watercraft without an observer.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
CHARLTON COUNTY On June 27th thru 28th, Cpl. Jason Shipes, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Sgt. Damon Winters assisted the Charlton County Sheriff's Department along the St. Mary's River south of St. George due to extensive flooding caused by Tropical Storm Debby. The Rangers evacuated several people from their flooded homes and transported water and other supplies to residents that decided not to leave their homes.
One of many Charlton County residences inundated by the flooded St. Mary's River.

Cpl. Jason Shipes surveys the water level at GA Highway 185 near the St. Mary's River.
WHEELER COUNTY On June 24th thru 28th, RFC Rodney Horne assisted the Legacy Outdoor Ministries Church Camp with incorporating a 10 hour Hunter Education Course into the Camp agenda and certified 19 students.
BERRIEN COUNTY On June 27th and 30th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 "Gauge" patrolled Paradise PFA for boating safety and fishing activity. Numerous citations and warnings were issued for operating a vessel without life jackets, fishing without a license, and fishing on a PFA without a WMA license.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On July 1st, RFC Brandon Pierce, RFC Jamey O'Brien, and Sgt. Don Dasher patrolled the Savannah River in reference to holiday boating safety/fishing activity. A total of ten boats and three fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection a total of two violations were documented. The violations consisted of fishing without a license and operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher. The officers also assisted a stranded vessel with motor issues back to its private dock. The vessel contained eight individuals and all subjects and vessel was returned safely home. Later that night RFC Pierce responded to a call from 911 in reference to a sunken vessel in the Savannah River. With the assistance of Georgia Power Security, three subjects were returned safely home. Due to being in a small jon boat, terrible weather, and the river containing large vessels the jon boat took on water by a wake swamping it. The boat was recovered with little loss in valuables.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On June 30th, Sgt. James Shelton, Cpl. Phillip Scott, Ranger Trey Taylor, and RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area, citing one person for fishing without permission and possession of an undersized shark at the old Bryan Co-op dock.
CHATHAM COUNTY On June 30th, Sgt. James Shelton, Cpl. Phillip Scott, Ranger Trey Taylor, and RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area, citing one boater for tying up/mooring to a channel buoy.
LIBERTY COUNTY On June 30th, Sgt. James Shelton, Cpl. Phillip Scott, Ranger Trey Taylor, and RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area. They checked a commercial shrimp boat and cited a crew member for fishing without a commercial license.
CHATHAM COUNTY On June 30, Cpl. Tony Wynne and Sgt. Cindy Miller were patrolling for night activity in the Skidaway River. At approximately 0100 hours in the morning they stopped a vessel running on the water without lights on. The operator of the vessel was cited for operating a vessel during hours of darkness without lights.
On June 30, Cpl. Bill Bryson, Cpl. Tony Wynne, RFC Kiel Toney, and Sgt. Cindy Miller were checking shrimp trawlers for compliance of the turtle excluder device (TED). Two shrimp trawlers were checked and both shrimp trawlers had TED violations. Both shrimp trawler captains were cited for TED violations
GLYNN COUNTY On June 29 & 30, Rangers from around the state came to assist Region 7 Rangers with JEA patrols on the coast. During the detail, a total of eighty man hours were spent boarding shrimp trawlers, checking TED compliance, and working illegal fishing inside state waters. Numerous violations were documented both state and federal. Rangers participating were Cpl Gary Simmons, Cpl Michael Crawley, Cpl Wil Smith, Cpl Billy Reed, RFC Craig Smith, RFC John Evans, RFC David Brady, and RFC Keith McDonald.
CAMDEN COUNTY On June 27, RFC John Evans received a call that people were trespassing on property in Camden County. When RFC Evans arrived on the property he found three men carrying .22 caliber rifles who claimed to be squirrel hunting. Upon investigation, RFC Evans found that neither of them had completed Hunter Safety. All three were cited with Hunting without Permission, Hunting out of Season, and Hunting without Hunter Safety Certification.

On June 30th, DNR officers began assisting the Camden County EMA and the Camden County Sheriff's Office with flooding issues along the St. Mary's River. The river was rising very quickly due to large amounts of rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby. Officers were assisting with evacuation of residences as well as security of residences within the flooded areas. The National Weather Service forecasted the river to rise to record levels by the middle of the upcoming week.

MCINTOSH, GLYNN, CAMDEN, CHATHAM, BRYAN, AND LIBERTY COUNTY On June 29-30, Rangers from Region VII conducted a boarding detail focusing on Shrimp Trawlers. Rangers from different areas of the state assisted in the detail. This allowed inland rangers to experience some of the coastal duties.