Field operations weekly report, 2013 June 9-15

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 9-15, 2013
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)
CARROLL COUNTY During the week of June 10th - 14th, local public safety agencies and area merchants partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to host the 8th annual Carroll County Outdoor Day Camp. Cpl. Eric Brown and RFC Chad Cox assisted with the weeklong camp that exposed 39 students to shooting sports, Geocaching, animal identification, boating, and fishing. The camp was again a huge success in exposing youth to the outdoors.

CHEROKEE COUNTY On June 15th, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Bart Hendrix responded to a boat incident involving two PWCs (Personal Water Craft) at Little River Bar and Grill on Allatoona Lake. According to the operators and the passenger, one PWC attempted to spray the other PWC. The inexperienced operator then struck the other PWC injuring both the operator and passenger. A young male and young female sustained injuries to their left legs. The operator of the vessel at fault was charged with violation of the 100 ft. law. Cpl. Young and RFC Hendrix issued five additional citations while on patrol for skiing without a PFD (lifejacket) and navigation light violations. The two officers also towed two stranded vessels.
FANNIN COUNTY On June 15th, RFC Cody Jones assisted with a Kids Fishing Event at the Fannin County Park. Over 50 kids came and caught Catfish, Bass, and Bluegill.
On June 15th and 16th, RFC Cody Jones patrolled Blue Ridge Lake and conducted several boating safety stops. RFC Jones issued citations and warnings for violations consisting of violating rules of the road, having improper or no registration, not having a type IV PFD, riding on the gunwale, not having a PFD for a 2, 6, and 8 year old child, allowing an underage person to operate a PWC, and operating with improper lights.
FULTON COUNTY On June 9th, Sgt. Ricky Dempsey and RFC Daniel Gray conducted a vessel patrol on the Chattahoochee River from Medlock Park. 4 citations and 4 warnings were issued for fishing w/o license, fishing w/o trout license, fishing w/o license on person, operating vessel w/o PFD, illegal bait in an artificial only stream and failure to display vessel registration.
June 15th, RFC Chad Cox and RFC Daniel Gray conducted a vessel patrol on the Chattahoochee River from Azalea Park. 2 citations and 4 warnings were issued for fishing w/o license and operating vessel w/o PFD's. Also while patrolling, the officers were able to assist Sandy Springs Fire and Rescue get an injured swimmer out of the river.
GILMER COUNTY On June 9th, RFC Joe Hill patrolled the Cartecay River and issued five warnings for operating a vessel without CGA PFD's and three citations for possession of alcohol by an underage person.

On June 12th, Sgt. John VanLandingham was patrolling along the Cartecay River when he observed 5 kayakers paddling down the river without PFD's. Sgt. VanLandingham told the kayakers to come to the bank of the river for inspection of their vessels. The kayakers refused to come to shore and continued traveling downstream. Sgt. VanLandingham, with assistance from the Ellijay Police Department and the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department located the kayakers further downstream. The three adults were arrested and charged with operating a vessel without a PFD and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. The two juveniles were released to other family members.
On June 15th, Sgt. John VanLandingham, RFC Joe Hill, and RFC Cody Jones conducted a detail on the Cartecay River to address numerous landowner complaints referencing littering, criminal trespass, use of illegal drugs, and public indecency. The officers gave numerous people verbal and written warnings, and one citation for operating vessel without CGA PFD's and one citation for littering.
MURRAY COUNTY On June 14th, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. Casey Jones, and RFC Joe Hill worked a detail on Cohutta Wildlife Management Area. The officers issued two citations for violation of the Georgia open container law.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
MADISON COUNTY On June 14th, RFC Shane Sartor and a college intern were working the Broad River by foot when three subjects were observed smoking what was believed to marijuana. The subjects were stopped and admitted to having more marijuana, each subject was issued an appearance citation for violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
LAKE HARTWELL On June 15th, RFC Shane Sartor, Cpl. Bill Bunch and the college intern performed a boating safety patrol on Lake Hartwell. During this patrol 18 boats and 25 fishing licenses were checked with eight citations and five warnings being issued.
On June 9th, RFC Barry Britt started an investigation on a boating incident that occurred on June 8th. This incident is still under investigation.
On June 11th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled Lake Lanier. The rangers checked 20 boats and 12 fishing licenses. Verbal guidance was given and written warnings were issued to two different subjects for not having their registration numbers displayed properly and a warning was issued for operating a vessel without PFD's.
On June 14th and 15th, RFC Barry Britt and RFC Mitchell Crump patrolled the northern part of Lake Lanier. The rangers checked 26 boats and 13 fishing licenses. They issued verbal guidance, written warnings, and citations for numerous fishing and boating violations that included operating an overloaded vessel, operating a vessel with PFD's,

operating a vessel with improper lights and for allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD.
On June 15th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled Lake Lanier for boating and fishing violations. A total of 20 boats were checked along with 10 fishing licenses checked. Verbal guidance was given and written warnings were issued for operating a PWC above idle speed within 100' of an object, fishing without a license (using the MDT a license was sold to the subject), operating a vessel without registration numbers displayed and operating a vessel with improper lights.
GWINNETT COUNTY On June 9th, RFC Barry Britt issued citations to two men for fishing with unlawful bait in the artificial lure only part of the Chattahoochee River above Medlock Bridge Boat Ramp.
HALL COUNTY On June 9th, RFC Mitchell Crump and RFC Kevin Goss patrolled the northern part of Lake Lanier. The issued verbal guidance, written warnings and citations for failure to obey regulatory marker and for fishing without a license.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On June 10th, RFC Mitchell Crump, Cpl. Jesse Cook and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck taught gun safety, boating safety and utilized the Laser Shot at the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Junior Deputy Academy.
On June 11th, RFC Mitchell Crump, Cpl. Eric Sander, Cpl. Jesse Cook and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck had the students at Lumpkin County Junior Deputy Academy on the shooting range. A total of 28 students shot .22 rifles. While on the range the students learned about safe gun handling, marksmanship and sportsmanship.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On June 13th, Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled Randy Poynter Lake. He checked 6 fishing licenses. A written warning was issued for fishing without a license. Cpl. Sanders was able to sell the subject a fishing license us utilizing his MDT.
HALL COUNTY On June 12th, Cpl. Jason Roberson worked boating safety on Lake Lanier. He documented several violations during his patrol. They included operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's to underage possession of alcohol.
On June 13th, Cpl. Jason Roberson taught boating safety at the Hall County DARE camp to over 200 youth.

On June 15th, Sgt. Mike Burgamy, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, RFC Mark Stephens, and RFC Kevin Goss responded to a boat accident at Aqualand Marina. A PWC was struck by a boat causing minor injuries to the PWC operator. The accident is still under investigation.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
MORGAN COUNTY During the week of June 10 14, RFC Ricky Boles, RFC Niki Spencer, RFC Tim Butler, and Cpl. David Allen participated with the Morgan County Jr. Deputy Camp. The Rangers taught on boating safety, firearms safety, and hunter development.
LAKE OCONEE While patrolling Lake Oconee on Saturday, June 15 Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Niki Spencer encountered on vessel operator who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol. Upon further investigation the vessel operator was arrested and charged with BUI.
On Saturday, June 15 Cpl. David Allen and RFC Ricky Boles responded to a boating incident. The vessel operator struck a stump in the water causing damage to his pontoon boat. A boating incident report was taken.
RICHMOND COUNTY June 15, 2013, Cpl. Ben Payne and Sgt. Max Boswell patrolled Richmond County checking local creeks for fishing activity. Several fishing licenses were checked with no violations documented. Later in the afternoon they checked without permission complaints in south Richmond County.
Corporal Micheal Crawley assisted Governor's Office of Highway Safety with a road check in Hepzibah, Richmond County. Corporal Crawley made a possession of marijuana arrest and assisted with several other violations that were written by Richmond County.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Bobby Timmerman and RFC Brian Adams inspected over 50 vessels Saturday morning at the Thomson office during a monthly vessel inspection.
CLARKS HILL LAKE While on patrol June 15 and 16th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Bobby Timmerman and RFC Brian Adams made several cases and warning for various boating safety violations.

CLARKE COUNTY On June 15 Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Tim Butler patrolled public fishing areas in Clarke County. Two violations for fishing without a license were detected by the rangers.
ELBERT COUNTY On June 15, Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Tim Butler conducted vessel patrols on Lake Russell and Clarks Hill Lake. Violations detected by the Rangers during these patrols included failure to obey a regulatory marker and operating a PWC within 100 ft. of an object in the water.
WILKES COUNTY On June 9th Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson patrolled public fishing areas and boat ramps. Violations for fishing without a license and operating a vessel with expired registration were documented.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On Sunday, June 9th, Corporal Lynn Stanford and Ranger Jeremy Reese conducted boat patrol on Lake Sinclair. One boater was stopped around midnight for operating with improper lights. Subsequent to the boat stop, the vessel operator was arrested for boating under the influence.
On Saturday, June 15th, Corporal Josh Copelan and RFC Kevin Godbee conducted boating safety patrol on Lake Sinclair. One citation and several warnings were issued throughout the day.
BIBB COUNTY On Friday, June 14th, Rangers conducted a boat HIN inspection at Bass Pro Shops in Macon. Over the course of several hours, approximately 80 vessels were checked to meet boat registration requirements.
COWETA COUNTY On Sunday, June 9th, Corporal Travis Sweat and RFC Kevin Godbee patrolled the Chattahoochee River from Chattahoochee Bend State Park to McIntosh Reserve. They checked 1 boat and 2 fishermen and issued 2 warnings for fishing without a license.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On June 15th, Corporal Jeremy Bolen and Corporal Keith Waddell performed a boating patrol on Lake Oliver. The officers stopped boats for various violations such as operating vessel with insufficient PFD's, operating a personal watercraft without wearing a PFD, and allowing person to ride bow/gunwale. The officers issued 2 citations and 3 warnings.

UPSON COUNTY On June 8th, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a 30 year old white male jumped from the Highway 36 Bridge into the Flint River. The subject surfaced after the jump and then went back under and never came back up. Rescue efforts began immediately by witnesses, but were unsuccessful. Local law enforcement, search and rescue teams and DNR Rangers were called to the scene to search for the subject. The body was recovered at approximately 4:00 p.m. on June 14th. Rescue personnel stayed on-scene 24 hours a day until the body was located. Agencies that assisted in the six day search were the Upson County Sheriff's Office, Talbot County Sheriff's Office, Upson County Search and Rescue Team, Upson County Emergency Management Service, GEMA, Georgia State Patrol Dive Team, Pike County Cadaver K-9, DNR Rangers and numerous volunteers.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
MITCHELL COUNTY On June 14th, Corporal Randy Davis investigated a complaint of a subject possessing alligator snapping turtles, raccoon and squirrels. During Cpl. Davis's investigation it was discovered that the complainant themselves possessed a raccoon and squirrels. The subject was issued a citation for holding/possessing game animals without a permit.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On the afternoon on June 14th, Cpl. Greg Wade was conducting a boating safety patrol, when he observed a boat with four adults and a child on board violate a "No-Wake" zone. While discussing the violation with the boat's operator, Cpl. Wade noticed the subject displayed signs of impairment. After a brief investigation, the operator was arrested and charged with operating a vessel while under the influence, child endangerment, and failure to obey a regulatory marker.
On June 15th, Cpl. Robbie Griner and Cpl. Greg Wade were conducting a boating safety patrol on the Flint River when they encountered a personal watercraft occupied by two adults. The operator was found to be impaired and was charged with boating under the influence.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
APPLING COUNTY On the 10th, Cpl. Altman worked an illegal dumping complaint in the county. A detailed report was documented and sent to the EPD for further investigation.
On the 14th, Cpl. Altman answered a complaint of an injured deer off Highway 15 that had been hit by a car and was in someone's yard. The injured deer was put down in the safest way possible.

On the 15th and 16th, Cpl. Altman, Cpl. Joyce, and RFC Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River for boating safety violations. Several verbal warnings were given for minor infractions and one warning was issued for towing a skier w/o a mirror or observer.
Also on the morning of the 16th, Cpl. Altman and RFC Jarriel performed a security detail at Deens Landing on the Altamaha River for the removal of a sunken truck and boat trailer down river of the landing.
EVANS/TATTNALL COUNTY On June 7th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity on the Canoochee River. Violations for operating a vessel without registration and operating a vessel with PFD's were addressed.
On June 8th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Sgt. Jon Barnard checked fishing and boating on the Evans County Public Fishing area resulting in two violations for operating a vessel with expired registration and fishing with more than two poles and line. Later the same day while patrolling the Altamaha River, violations were documented for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without a PFD on, allowing a person to ride the bow and towing a skier with a personal watercraft without an observer on board.
On June 14th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing activity on local creeks in the area. Two fishing licenses were checked resulting in one violation for fishing without a license and one for possession of illegal size fish. Later the same day RFC Brannen and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Evans County Fishing Area. Several licenses were checked. One violation for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license was documented.
On June 15th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked landings along the Canoochee River. Verbal guidance was given for not having life vests to a group of young people floating down the river on rafts.
TATTNALL COUNTY On June 15, 2013 RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River and issued one citation for operating a vessel without PFD's.
TOOMBS COUNTY On June 16, 2013 RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River and issued a citation for fishing without a license.

COOK/COLQUITT COUNTY On June 15th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey was patrolling the beach area at Reed Bingham State Park. Cpl. Daughtrey noticed a vehicle parked at the beach area that had an expired tag. Further investigation by Cpl. Daughtrey, using the Mobile Data Terminal in his patrol vehicle, revealed that the owner of the vehicle had a suspended driver's license and was "wanted" by Lowndes County. With the assistance of Park Manager Suzanne Passmore, the driver of the vehicle was cited for consuming alcohol on a state park and operating a vehicle with an expired tag. Lowndes County would not pick-up the owner of the vehicle, who was wanted for a probation violation.
On June 16th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey was patrolling Reed Bingham State Park when he noticed a suspicious person sitting in a vehicle at the beach area. A check of the vehicle tag revealed that the vehicle had a suspended registration. Cpl. Daughtrey watched as another vehicle drove into the beach area and parked. The driver of that vehicle exited his vehicle and began to talk with the subject in the first vehicle Cpl. Daughtrey was watching. A check of the second vehicle, using the mobile data terminal, revealed that the vehicle had a suspended registration and no insurance. Cpl. Daughtrey approached the two subjects and spoke with them. Cpl. Daughtrey could smell the strong odor of marijuana as he spoke with the subjects. Cpl. Daughtrey asked the subjects about the marijuana smell coming from the vehicle. One of the subjects eventually handed Cpl. Daughtrey two small bags of marijuana. Both of the subjects were charged with possession of marijuana and operating a vehicle with suspended registration. The subject that Cpl. Daughtrey observed drive into the beach area was also charged with driving with a suspended license and no proof of insurance. The subject's vehicle was towed and the subject was transported to the Colquitt County jail.
COOK COUNTY On June 5th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey received a complaint that a subject had just shot three geese in a pond behind a residence. Cpl. Daughtrey responded to the incident location and found three geese still floating in the pond at the residence. The homeowner had shot the geese. The subject was cited for hunting geese out of season and possession of illegally taken wildlife.

BERRIEN COUNTY On June 12th, Sgt. Damon Winters, Sgt. David Reckley, Cpl. Morty Wood, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey, and RFC Clint Jarriel assisted with the Conservation Work Shop at Paradise PFA. 160 students were able to participate in Skeet shooting and Archery events. Sgt. Lee Brown, the event coordinator, said it was the best work shop to date.
ECHOLS COUNTY On June 15th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree discovered a jon boat and a damaged trailer abandoned in a wooded area near US Highway 129 at Mayday. Sgt. Dupree ran the trailer tag and the boat's registration numbers on his truck's computer to determine ownership. The owner was contacted and he advised that his boat was supposed to be at his hunting camp. The owner was asked to come to Sgt. Dupree's location to confirm ownership & recover his vessel. When the owner arrived he advised that his outboard motor was missing from the boat. An Echols County deputy was contacted and arrived on scene and advised that another deputy that was on-duty the previous night had stopped at this location with two individuals that stated they had been fishing in the boat. They told the officer there was a problem with the trailer's axle bearings and they were going to leave the boat hidden and return the next day to repair it. The officer was suspicious and obtained the individual's names and vehicle tag number. The Echols Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation with charges pending.
DODGE COUNTY On June 14th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting a routine patrol at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. RFC Mills checked 4 anglers for license requirements and conducted a boating safety inspection on two vessels. A violation for operating a vessel w/o coast guard-approved P.F.D.'s was documented.
TIFT COUNTY On June 12th, Sgt. David Reckley and Cpl. Dan Stiles assisted with the NRCW Field Day at the Paradise Public Fishing Area. The officers operated an archery range and instructed the participants. One hundred-sixty youths participated in the event.
LAURENS COUNTY On June 15th, Cpl. Dan Stiles and RFC Allen Mills patrolled the Hugh Gillis PFA. The officers checked two vessels and nine anglers for licenses and boating safety equipment / registration compliance. No violations were detected.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Saturday June 8th, RFC Jamey O'Brien, SGT Don Dasher and CPL Mike Wilcox patrolled the Savannah River for boating and fishing violations. A total of 10 boats were checked with no violations being detected.
On Sunday June 9th, RFC Jamey O'Brien, SGT Don Dasher and CPL Eddie Akins were checking for boating and fishing violations at Tuckasee King Landing. Five boats were checked. Violations documented were for insufficient life jackets and unserviceable fire extinguisher.

CANDLER COUNTY On Wednesday June 12th, RFC Jamey O'Brien followed up on a possible night deer hunting complaint. RFC O'Brien surveyed the area and observed a truck pull into a field and begin shinning a light across the field. Once O'Brien began the investigation, it was found that the field was listed under a crop damage permit and the subject was legally following the conditions and terms of the permit. No violations were found.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
MCINTOSH COUNTY On Saturday, June 15th 2013 at 3:00 am, Sgt. Wayne Hubbard received a call from Georgia State Patrol dispatch concerning a stranded vessel in the area of the South Newport River in northern McIntosh County. The dispatcher advised Sgt. Hubbard that the US Coast Guard had contact with the vessel as well as location information but were unable to respond due to the location. Sgt. Hubbard contacted both the USCG and the stranded vessel and responded to the location. The vessel was aground and had lost all battery power. By the time Hubbard arrived, the boaters had been on the water for approximately 25 hours. The vessel was refloated and towed to the ramp.
WAYNE COUNTY On June 11th and 12th Cpl Bobby White attended a 15 hour course on Lake Sinclair on the operation and functions of the side scan sonar. The Dept. of Natural Resources uses the side scan sonar for searching for drowning victims on the states lakes and rivers throughout Georgia.
BRYAN COUNTY On June 9th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the Ogeechee River area near Ft. McAllister. One person was cited for fishing without a license.
On June 10th, Ranger Miller stopped a vehicle on Hwy. 144 and issued a citation for littering after trash blew out of the vehicle.
On June 15th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Jason Miller conducted a HIN/registration inspection at Hendrix Park at Black Creek. 13 boats were inspected.
On June 15th, a retirement dinner was held at Ft. McAllister State Park for Sgt. James Shelton who retired with over 30 years of service to DNR.
LIBERTY COUNTY On June 15th, RFC Jack Thain cited one person for fishing without permission on the Liberty County Industrial Authority property.