Field operations weekly report, 2012 August 12-18

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report August 12-18, 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)
GILMER COUNTY On August 16th, Sgt. John Vanlandingham and RFC Joe Hill conducted an undercover detail on the Cartecay River. One citation and two warnings were issued for indecent exposure and criminal trespass.
PICKENS COUNTY On August 16th, Sgt. John Vanlandingham, Cpl. James Keener, RFC Joe Hill and RFC Cody Jones conducted a HIN inspection site in Jasper. A total of ten boats were inspected by the officers.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DEKALB COUNTY On August 16th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted a safety program for the employees of Georgia Power. Cpl. Sanders talked with them about boating and hunter safety.
FORSYTH COUNTY On August 16th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled Lake Lanier for boating safety/fishing activity. A total of one boat was checked. Two violations were documented consisting of towing skier with PWC without observer on board and operating vessel without a fire extinguisher.
On August 17th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a possible burning vessel on Lake Lanier. Upon arriving at the scene the subject(s) had moved from the vessel to another. No subject(s) were injured and were returned safely home. The vessel had motor issues which caused a burnt gasket. The vessel was towed back to its dock and the owner was released.
On August 17th, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Barry Britt and RFC Brandon Pierce assisted the Army Rangers from Camp Merrill with a "Parachute Drop" on Lake Lanier. There was also, assistance from the Dawson County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, Hall County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department and the Army Corp of Engineer. A total of 88 Army Rangers were dropped into the lake.
On August 19th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a call from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office in reference to possible illegal hunting on school grounds. RFC Pierce arrived at the scene and conducted interviews with the subjects. Upon the interview one subject seemed to be intoxicated. Further tests determined that the subject was in fact intoxicated. The subject was arrested and transported to the Forsyth County Jail for booking. A total of seven violations were documented. The violations consisted of hunting under the influence, hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.

GWINNETT COUNTY On August 16th, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Barry Britt and RFC Brandon Pierce conduct a HIN inspection at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. A total of 2 boats were inspected.
HALL COUNTY On August 12th, RFC Barry Britt and Gwinnett County Police Department Officer Larry Fazenbaker were patrolling Lake Lanier when they received a complaint of possible reckless operation in Sunset Cove. Once on scene, they observed a red bass boat operating on a plane in the no wake zone of the cove. They charged the boat operator with boating under the influence and failing to obey a regulatory marker.
On August 13th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was notified about a sunken boat that was found from some homeowners on Lake Lanier. At this time Cpl. Sanders is investigating to determine who the owner is and whether the boat is stolen.
On August 18th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Jason Roberson patrolled Lake Lanier for boating safety/fishing activity. Numerous boats were checked for proper safety equipment and verbal guidance was given on several occasions to be in compliance with the laws of the state. That night a vessel was stopped for a light violation and upon the inspection of the vessel, the operator seemed to be intoxicated. Ranger Pierce performed exercises that determined the operator to be under the influence. The vessel contained two subjects, one being a six year old. A total of four violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel under the influence, operating vessel with improper lights, allowing underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing PFD, and BUI child endangerment. Subject was arrested and transported to the Hall County Jail for booking. The child was later released to the mother.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On August 13th, RFC Mitchell Crump conducted a HIN inspection at the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office. A total of 11 boats were inspected.
On August 14th and 16th RFC Mitchell Crump taught a 10 hour Hunter Education class at the Woodmen of the World building in Dahlonega. A total of 24 students were certified in Hunter Education.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On August 18th, Cpl. Eric Sanders assisted the Rockdale County Fire Department with a rescue of two adults on the Yellow River. The two adults were wedged on a log jam when Cpl. Sanders and the firemen found them. They were safely brought to the shore. Cpl. Sanders was able to pull their boat out of the river and took it to his truck where he was able to get it back to the owner.
RABUN COUNTY On August 16th, Sgt. Steve Seitz, Cpl. Jesse Cook and RFC Chad Chambers assisted personnel from Georgia Power, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other volunteers with the waterway cleanup of Lake Tugalo. The group volunteered 100

man hours and recovered almost 700 pounds of trash. Tugalo is a small impoundment on the Georgia-South Carolina line that has around 18 miles of shoreline and consists of 597 acres.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Mark Patterson and a college intern patrolled Lake Russell on Sunday August 12. While on routine patrol they saw a vessel go through a no wake zone too fast. Upon approaching the vessel they noticed a passenger attempting to conceal something. The item turned out to be a partially smoked marijuana cigarette. During the inspection they found the operator was missing a Type IV PFD. The passenger was charged with possession of marijuana and the operator was charged with the PFD violation and warned for the no wake violation.
WILKES COUNTY On Monday August 13, Cpl. Mark Patterson taught a Hunter Education Class at the Mary Willis Library. All the students passed the written test and were certified.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On August 18, RFC Bobby Timmerman, CPL Michael Crawley, AOC Elizabeth Bentley and Secretary Stephanie Taylor conducted HIN inspections at the Region 3 Office. A courtesy inspection was performed on 19 vessels.
On August 18, RFC Leroy Ficklin conducted a concentrated patrol of the McDuffie PFA. Several license and GORP passes were checked. No violations were detected.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On August 12, RFC Bobby Timmerman and CPL Ryan Swain conducted a concentrated boat patrol on Keg Creek and the Little River portions of Clarks Hill Lake. Several citations were issued.
WARREN COUNTY On August 15, RFC Brian Adams was conducting surveillance on a private pond. The landowner of the pond has a complaint of unknown persons fishing without permission. RFC Adams apprehended 1 subject riding an ATV on the property without permission. A warrant was obtained by the landowner for criminal trespass. The fishing without permission complaint is still under investigation.
WALTON COUNTY On August 16, Cpl. David Allen taught a hunter safety class at the WRCC. There were twenty seven certified in the two hour CD-Rom course.
On August 17, Major Walter Rabon, Sgt. John Harwell, RFC Richard Tanner and Wildlife Tech Kevin VonSeggern went to a residence in Walton County to remove three fawn deer and various birds. The wildlife was being held without a permit.

On August 18, Sgt. John Harwell, Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Richard Tanner and RFC Philip Nelson went to WRCC for the monthly HIN inspections. Eighteen vessels were inspected.
MORGAN COUNTY On August 13, Cpl. David Allen taught a hunter safety class at the Morgan County Sheriff's Office. Three people attended the two hour CD-Rom course and were certified.
LAKE OCONEE On August 18, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Richard Tanner patrolled Lake Oconee. Several vessels were stopped for violation of the 100' law.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On August 12th, at approximately 2200 hours, Cpl. Robbie Griner and RFC Jon Penuel responded to a call for assistance from 9 subjects who were stranded on the Flint River. Three of the subjects were in a small jon boat and the others were on float tubes. Due to the slow current of the river and their trolling motor failure, the individuals determined that they could not make it out safely and called for help. After locating the subjects, they were transported down river to the Georgia Power boat ramp at Plant Mitchell and safely returned to their vehicle.
On August 12th, Cpl. Robbie Griner and RFC Jon Penuel investigated a boating incident which had occurred the previous day upon the Flint River. The investigation revealed that a subject had received severe head injuries after a fall while wake boarding.
On August 18th, Ranger Chris Carlisle received a call in reference to a boat incident on Lake Worth. The complainant advised Ranger Carlisle that a personal watercraft, being ridden by two males, struck the side of his vessel and fled the scene. After interviewing the victim of the boat incident, Ranger Carlisle was able to locate and interview the suspects. Ranger Carlisle determined the PWC operator had jumped a wake and landed on the side of the victim's vessel. Ranger Carlisle charged the PWC operator with reckless operation of a vessel and violation of the 100' rule
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EVANS COUNTY On August 13th, 16th, and 18th, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Canoochee River. A total of 7 fishing licenses and 2 vessels were checked. Violations for fishing without license, operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and fishing without permission were documented.

BERRIEN COUNTY On August 12th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey patrolled Paradise Public Fishing Area. During the patrol five violations were documented, including fishing without a license, consumption of alcohol on a PFA, fishing on a PFA without a WMA license and fishing with live bait (minnows) on a PFA.
On August 17th, Cpl.Tommy Daughtrey patrolled Paradise Public Fishing Area. During the patrol two violations were documented, including possession of an undersized bass and fishing after hours on a PFA.
On August 18th, while patrolling Paradise PFA, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey found a subject with six undersize bass. The subject was cited for taking/possession of undersize bass and operating a vessel without any personal flotation devices. The subject was warned for taking over the limit of bass. Another subject was cited for fishing without a license.
COOK COUNTY On August 12th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey responded to a request for assistance from an officer with the Sparks Police Dept. who had stopped a speeding vehicle on Interstate 75. Four subjects were arrested for Felony drug possession.
On August 17th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey responded to an illegal burn call on Gay Avenue in the City of Sparks. A subject was given a written warning for illegal burning.
DODGE COUNTY On August 17th, Cpl. Stiles was patrolling McRanie's boat landing in Dodge County when he noticed a vessel operating without lights after hours of darkness. Cpl. Stiles stopped the vessel and found the operator to be under the influence of alcohol. Violations for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness and operating a vessel under the influence were documented.
TOOMBS COUNTY On August 18th, Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled boat landings and fishing areas on the Altamaha River. Three vessels were inspected along with four fishing licenses with two warnings being issued for boating safety violations.
On August 19th, Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled fishing areas along the Altamaha River inspecting 2 resident fisherman and one non-resident from Florida. The non-resident and one of the residents didn't have a license and were issued citations for the violations.
TATTNALL COUNTY On August 18th, RFC Clint Jarriel and Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled Big Hammock WMA in an effort to check small game hunters, fisherman, and compliance of the GORP pass. While checking for small game hunters the officers checked two subjects that were utilizing a golf cart to hunt squirrels. The officers talked to the hunters and explained to them that the use of the cart was illegal.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Saturday, August 18th RFC Jamey O'Brien and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled and checked Abercorn, Tommy Long, Ebenezer, Ebenezer Creek and Tucksee King boat landings for boating and fishing activity. A total of 4 boats were checked. No violations were detected.
On August 15th, RFC O'Brien assisted Effingham Co Sheriff's Department and US Marshals with executing an arrest/search warrant at a local residence. One subject was arrested without incident.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Aug. 12th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled areas around Ossabaw Island. One fisherman was cited for fishing without a license.
On Aug. 14th, Cpl. Jay Morgan, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled from St. Catherine's Sound to the Ogeechee River. One fisherman was cited for possession of undersize speckled trout.
On Aug. 17th, Cpl. Morgan, Ranger Taylor, and Ranger Jason Miller attended the boatcaptain's meeting for the Southern Kingfish Association fishing tournament at Ft. McAllister Marina, as part of a community outreach program, talking to the fishermen about boating safety, catch limits, and offshore fishing.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Aug. 18th, Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a HIN/boat registration inspection at the Ga. Forestry Office in Midway, helping two boat owners register their boats. Later that afternoon, he patrolled the salt waters from Sunbury to Half Moon Marina. Several offshore fishermen and boaters were checked and one boater was cited for towing a tube without an observer or mirror on board.
OFFSHORE/FEDERAL WATERS On Aug. 15th, Ranger Trey Taylor, RFC Jack Thain, and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled out to Grays Reef Marine Sanctuary. No violations were observed.
CHATHAM COUNTY On August 18, Ranger Kate Hargrove and Sgt. Cindy Miller participated in a night patrol on the waters of Chatham County. Rangers cited one individual for operating a vessel hours of darkness.
On August 18, Sgt. Cindy Miller checked boaters coming into Bell's Landing. Sgt. Miller cited two different individuals for operating a vessel with insufficient life jackets. Another individual was cited for undersized fish.

GLYNN COUNTY On August 18th, DNR officers assisted the Jekyll Island Authority and the Georgia State Patrol with crowd control and security at the annual Beach Music Festival on Jekyll Island. Commissioner Mark Williams, Capt. Doug Lewis, Sgt. Chris Hodge, Sgt. Mark Carson, Cpl. Chris Ridley, RFC Craig Smith, RFC David Brady, and Ranger Trey Taylor assisted with ATV's and one boat offshore of Jekyll Beach for safety of swimmers in the water.
CAMDEN COUNTY On August 13th, Cpl. Wil Smith, RFC David Brady, RFC Craig Smith, RFC John Evans, and Sgt. Chris Hodge, responded to a boat on fire in the North River near Point Peter. Upon arrival officers found a 50 foot yacht anchored in the river fully engulfed in flames. Officers from the St. Mary's Police Department and the Camden County Sheriff's Office also responded as well. DNR officers learned from the local investigators that the boat's owner has recently divorced her husband and had been living on the boat. Officers further learned that the boat owner had also taken out a restraining order on her exhusband due to the fact that he had threatened to kill her since the two divorced. Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also responded and were able to recover the remains of two people from the boat over the next two days. DNR officers continued to assist the GBI and other agencies throughout the next two days. It was soon discovered that the possible suspect, the ex-husband, had fled in a small boat upriver and had attempted to sink the getaway boat and entered the woods near I-95 in Kingsland. Officers searched the wooded areas near the exit 1 interchange with ATVs, on foot, and with assistance from DNR Aviation pilot Captain Ed Watkins. As the search continued through the night of August 14th, officers continued to search for the suspect. On the evening of August 15th, the suspect was spotted walking near his apartment in Kingsland. Sgt. Chris Hodge was in the immediate area and responded with minutes. Upon arrival officers were advised that the suspect had fled into the woods adjacent to the apartment. A short time later, a K-9 Team made up of local authorities, entered the woods to apprehend the suspect. As the K-9 Team approached the suspect, he fired on the officers

forcing the officers to shoot the suspect. The suspects injuries were fatal. The GBI and the St. Mary's Police Department are still investigating the incident at this time.