Field operations weekly report, 2013 June 16-22

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 16-22, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On June 17th, Sgt. Mike Barr and Public Relations Specialist Melissa Cummings traveled to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia in order to conduct a media relations training course for 19 cadets in the DNR training academy. Training included the Constitutional Rights of the Media, Who They Are and What They Do, Proactive Media Relationships, Managing Critical Events, On-camera Professionalism, and Social Media. The DNR Cadets went through several simulations of on-camera interviews as if they were responding during a critical event. This activity was intended to sharpen their skills for providing concise, informative descriptions of events as well as incorporating public safety messages while on camera.
Cadets Steve Thomas and Jordan Crawford with DNR Law Enforcement and Katherine White with DNR Parks simulate an on camera interview with Melissa Cummings of DNR Public Relations and Sgt. Mike Barr of DNR Law Enforcement. The cadets focused on relaying accurate information and providing a safety message to the simulated event.

On June 16th, Cpl. Byron Young and Cpl. Lee Burns responded to a boat incident near Red Top Mountain State Park. A 23 year old male was injured when the tube he was riding hit a large wake and the impact with the water dislocated his left knee. The male was transported to Park Marina, where Cpl. Young contacted Bartow County 911. The male was transported to Cartersville Medical Center by Bartow EMS for treatment.
On June 16th, RFC Bart Hendrix and RFC Brooks Varnell were patrolling on Allatoona Lake near Stamp Creek and Park Marina when they noticed a ski boat with an Ohio registration. The boat appeared to have too many occupants for the capacity of the boat. The rangers stopped the boat and spoke with the operator about the registration and occupants. It was determined that the boat was being operated with too many people aboard. While speaking with the operator, RFC Bart Hendrix noticed that the driver had a strong odor of alcohol and glassy eyes. The operator was checked for his level of intoxication and determined to be impaired. He was placed under arrest for boating under the influence of alcohol and operating an overloaded vessel. He was transported to the Bartow County Jail. The capacity of a vessel can be determined by checking the capacity plate found near the operator's seat which will state the maximum number of occupants and/or the rating for the total weight allowed.
On June 22nd, RFC Bart Hendrix and Ranger Zack Hardy vessel patrolled Allatoona Lake for boating activity. During the patrol, the rangers checked 23 boats. Four citations were issued for operating vessel with insufficient CGA PFDs (life jackets), towing a skier on a PWC (Personal Water Craft) without an observer, and operating a PWC above idle speed within 100 feet of an object in water. DNR Rangers are paying close attention to boating safety on Allatoona Lake and encourage all boaters to check their safety gear and know their navigational rules. More information is available at www.goboatgeorgia.com.
FANNIN COUNTY On June 22nd, Cpl. James Keener patrolled Blue Ridge Lake and issued citations and warnings for boating violations including operating without or with insufficient PFD's, violation of rules of the road, operating overloaded vessel, allowing underage child to ride in vessel without PFD, improper or no registration on vessel, riding the bow of vessel, and an arrest was made for BUI (operating vessel under the influence of alcohol).
FULTON COUNTY On June 22nd, RFC Chad Cox and RFC Daniel Gray conducted a vessel patrol on the Chattahoochee River from Medlock Park. Rangers checked: 39 vessels/canoes, 24 fishing license and 222 people on tubes. 2 citations and 4 warnings were issued for operating vessel w/o PFD, illegal bait in artificial only stream, and fishing w/o trout license.

The above picture is of an 84 year old who loves to fish on the Chattahoochee River. She has 5 trout on her stringer!
GILMER COUNTY On June 16th, Sgt. John VanLandingham stopped a vehicle that was driving erratically. The female operator of the vehicle was arrested for driving without a license. The female was searched at the jail and a bag containing synthetic marijuana was located.
On June 21st, Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener conducted 12 vessel stops on Carters Lake. The rangers addressed numerous violations including operating vessel with insufficient PFD's, violation of the 100' rule, operating vessel at night without lights and fishing without license.
On June 23rd, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill conducted 9 vessel stops on Carters Lake. The rangers addressed violations that included operating a vessel without registration, violation of the 100' rule and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FORSYTH COUNTY On June 16th, Sgt. Lee brown and RFC Barry Britt were patrolling Lake Lanier in the area of Bald Ridge Marina. A written warning was issued for failure to obey regulatory marker.
On June 22nd, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Barry Britt were patrolling Lake Lanier for boating and fishing violations. The rangers issued verbal guidance, written warnings and citations for PWC operating within 100' of an object, operating a PWC after sunset, operating a vessel without lights, operating a vessel within 100' of an object and arrested one subject for BUI.
GWINNETT COUNTY On June 16th, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, RFC Barry Britt and RFC Mark Stephens responded to a boat fire at East Bank Park. Hall County and Gwinnett County Fire Departments assisted with this incident. The two adults on board the boat were taken to Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming and the female juvenile was taken to Grady Hospital's Burn Unit in Atlanta. Cpl. Eric Sanders went to Grady Hospital to assist with this incident. The incident is still under investigation.
On June 22nd, Cpl. Eric Sanders was patrolling the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to McGinnis Ferry Road. He checked numerous boaters and fishermen throughout the day. One citation was issued for fishing with unlawful bait.

UNION COUNTY On June 20th, Sgt. Seitz and RFC Dyer conducted a Hunter Development Program to 160 kids at Youngstown Baptist Church VBS. The Rangers utilized the DNR Shooting Sports Trailer and taught the kids firearms safety. The kids were taught how to handle firearms safely and demonstrated safe firearms handling skills while they shot 22cal rim fire rifles at steel targets and shotguns at clay targets. Special thanks go to Union County Sheriff Mack Mason and some of his staff for help on the range during the shooting event.

On June 22nd 2013 RFC Dyer and Union County Deputy Sheriff Glass patrolled Nottely Lake. Multiple vessels were stopped and violations were documented for violation of the 100' foot law, violation of the rules of the road and failure to obey regulatory markers.
HALL COUNTY On June 16th, RFC Mark Stephens and Sgt. Mike Burgamy responded to a Noise complaint on Lake Sidney Lanier. The Officers were advised that a houseboat with multiple passengers on board were causing a disturbance. The DNR Officers could not enforce the County Ordinance so they requested the assistance of a Hall County Deputy to go with them. At approximately 2:15am the individuals responsible for the noise were located at Aqualand Marina. The deputy for the Hall County advised the Captain of the vessel to be more considerate toward others on the lake and lower their volume of music and noise.
On June 22nd, RFC Eric Isom and a Hall County Sheriff Deputy patrolled Lake Lanier by vessel. They responded to complaints at War Hill Park in reference to 100 foot violations and Burton Mill in reference to skiing violations. The officers stopped twenty boats and issued citations, warnings, and verbal warnings for various violations.

GWINNETT COUNTY On June 16th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Mark Stephens responded to a boat fire at East Bank Park. It was determined that the fire was caused by fuel vapors trapped in the hull. Three people were injured and transported to local hospitals.
FORSYTH COUNTY On June 23th, RFC Eric Isom and a Hall County Sheriff Deputy patrolled Lake Lanier by vessel. They responded to a drowning near two mile creek. They stopped eighteen boats during their patrol and documented the infractions with citations, warnings, and verbal warnings. Also the officers made one arrest for boating under the influence (BUI), child endangerment (BUI), and failure to obey regulator marker.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
LAKE OCONEE On Saturday June 22, Cpls. David Allen and Julian Wilkins responded to a single vessel incident on Lake Oconee. Two passengers were thrown from the vessel and one sustained an injury to the hip area. The Rangers also assisted a stranded vessel and issued citations for towing skiers w/out observers.
On Saturday June 22, Rangers Richard Tanner and Tim Butler patrolled Lake Oconee and issued citations for failure to obey regulatory markers, towing skiers w/out PFD, and children in a moving vessel w/out a PFD.
MORGAN COUNTY On Saturday June 22, Capt. Mark Padgett, Cpl. David Allen and Cpl. Julian Wilkins, along with RFCs Richard Tanner and Tim Butler responded to a missing boater on the Appalachee River. The call was received from Morgan County E-911 around 2000 hours on Saturday evening. The Rangers worked through the night with the aid of the Georgia State Patrol aviation units FLIR. Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Phillip Nelson responded Sunday morning, June 23 to relieve units on scene. The lost boater was located.
NEWTON COUNTY On Thursday, June 20th RFC Richard Tanner responded to assist Newton County Dive Team with the drowning of a 14 year old male at Factory Shoals, Alcovy River. The victim was recovered.
RICHMOND COUNTY On June 22, Corporal Micheal Crawley and Sergeant Max Boswell were on patrol at Diamond Lakes Park for fishing activity. While checking the lake for fishing activity they saw a white van parked on the side of the lake. As they approached the vehicle a white male ducked down behind the rear seat as to hide something. Corporal Crawley exited his vehicle and asked the subject to come out of the vehicle. The vehicle was searched with consent and Corporal Crawley recovered a small bag of crystal meth and a glass smoking pipe. The subject was arrested and booked in Richmond County Jail.

ELBERT COUNTY On Thursday June 20, RFC Phillip Nelson responded to Lake Russell, Coldwater Creek, in reference to a reported floating vessel with no operator. Upon investigation RFC Nelson determined the vessel to be a junk vessel someone had probably put into the lake to dispose of. RFC Nelson is still trying to locate the owner of said vessel for possible charges.
On Tuesday June 18, during the early morning hours, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Capt. Mark Padgett responded to Lake Russell in reference to a reported drowning. The drowning was reported at the Coldwater Creek Boat Ramp. The body was quickly recovered and the case is still under investigation.
On Tuesday June 18, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Cpl. Mark Patterson finished a case that had been under investigation. The case was involving a subject that had been taking bass with a bow at night on Lake Russell. One subject was charged with unlawfully taking game fish with a bow.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY On June 21st, RFC Keith Page and Sergeant Tim Kendrick were patrolling Jackson Lake. Just before midnight, the Rangers noticed a boat leaving the area known as "The Big Water" headed north towards Barnett's Bridge. The vessel appeared to have a man standing up on the bow while it was underway. The Rangers stopped the vessel, and checked to see if the man was riding the bow. The man was actually inside the railing of the pontoon boat but was leaning over the front of the boat. While speaking to the driver of the boat, RFC Page could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. RFC Page decided to get the operator to complete several field sobriety exercises. The driver of the pontoon boat failed the exercises and was subsequently arrested for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. The man was also charged with operating a vessel without having any U.S. Coast Guard Approved PFDs onboard his vessel.
On June 22nd, RFC Keith Page and Sergeant Tim Kendrick received a call from the Butts County Sheriff's Office stating that two men were stranded on the Ocmulgee River behind the Jackson Lake Dam. Page and Kendrick quickly decided to try to access the men through a stretch of private land parallel to the river. The Rangers were able to quickly locate the men and advised them to try and paddle their crippled boat to the Butts County side of the river. The men were able to do so. Page and Kendrick got the men out of the water and took them back to their vehicle. The Rangers then allowed the men to drive their truck into the private land to retrieve their vessel.
HARRIS COUNTY On June 22nd, Corporal Mitch Oliver and Sergeant Jim Bradfield were patrolling Lake Harding when they stopped a vessel due to a rules of the road violation. During the stop, Corporal Oliver asked the operator about his alcohol consumption after smelling the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. Initially, the operator claimed that he

hadn't had any alcohol, but later told the officer that he had. The operator of the vessel was only 19 years old and had a mixed drink of an alcoholic nature sitting at his feet in the boat. The operator consented to field sobriety exercises and was subsequently arrested when he failed. He was charged with operating a vessel under the influence (under 21 YOA), violation of rules of the road, and given a written warning for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD (1).
Later in the evening of June 22nd, Corporal Mitch Oliver and Sergeant Jim Bradfield were still patrolling Lake Harding when they stopped a boat near Riverview Access on Lake Harding. The officers could see several fishing poles in the small aluminum boat and stopped the boat to see if there were any fish onboard. The boat was occupied by a male operator and female passenger. Both subjects claimed that they hadn't been fishing and said that there wasn't any fish in the boat. The operator said that they were just out for a ride. While talking with the subjects in the boat, Corporal Oliver observed numerous empty beer cans in the boat and the operator had an unopened beer sitting beside him. Corporal Oliver asked the operator how many of the beers he had consumed and he said he had 6 to 8 beers. Corporal Oliver asked the operator if he would consent to a series of field sobriety exercises and the operator said that he knew he couldn't pass them and that he was well over the limit. Corporal Oliver administered the exercises and arrested the subject for boating under the influence.
JASPER COUNTY On June 22nd, RFC Keith Page and Sergeant Tim Kendrick found a truck parked at an Oconee National Forest gate on Highway 16 just east of the Ocmulgee River. The Rangers unlocked the gate and proceeded down the Forest Service road looking to see why someone would be in the National Forest this time of year. About a quarter of a mile down the road the Rangers began to hear gun fire. They were able to find a man target practicing in the woods. As soon as the man saw the Rangers, he began to throw several items over a dead log that was lying on the ground behind him. After speaking with the man, RFC Page found two half smoked marijuana cigarettes and several beer cans behind the log. The man admitted to smoking the marijuana. Page and Kendrick arrested the man and turned him over to Jasper County Deputies. The violator was charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY On June 21st, RFC Clint Martin and Ranger Jesse Harrison were conducting a boat patrol on Lake Blackshear when they encountered a boat operator who was under the influence and operating without required vessel lighting. The subject was transported to the Crisp County Jail where he was charged with boating under the influence and operation a vessel without lights during the hours of darkness.

LOWNDES COUNTY On June 18th and 19th, DNR Rangers from Region 5 Albany participated in an "Active Shooter Training" event, in conjunction with the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The training was designed to familiarize the officers with the quick response and management necessary should they be involved in one of these events.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LAURENS COUNTY On June 16th, Cpl. Dan Stiles and RFC Rodney Horne conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Eleven boats were checked for boating safety equipment and registration compliance and six anglers were checked for fishing licenses. Four violations were documented for operating a vessel within 100' of object above idle speed and one violation was documented for operating a vessel without registration displayed.
On June 22nd, Cpl. Dan Stiles and Sgt. David Reckley conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. One violation for operating a vessel without personal floatation device was documented.
DODGE COUNTY On June 22nd, Cpl. John A. Stokes patrolled the Dodge County PFA. Two violations were documented for fishing w/o license and fishing without a WMA license. A goose was found on the shoreline with fishing line wrapped around the bird's legs. Cpl. Stokes captured the goose and removed the fishing line. The goose was released unharmed.
WHEELER COUNTY On June 17-19th, RFC Rodney Horne conducted a Hunter Development program and Hunter Education course for Legacy Outdoor Ministries in Alamo, GA. Eighteen youths were instructed in shooting skills and received a hunter education certification.
BULLOCH COUNTY On June 14, Cpl. Eddie Akins investigated a complaint of illegal burning near Brooklet Ga. The investigation resulted in one violation being documented. The violation was for unlawful dumping/burning.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On June 16th, Ranger Jason Miller cited one person for fishing without a fishing license and warned him about fishing without permission at the old Bryan Fisherman's Co-op dock which is now privately owned.
On June 17th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Jason Miller conducted a Boating Education class at J. F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill.

On June 20th, Ranger Jason Miller, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Cpl. Chris Moore responded to a complaint about someone camping on the Richmond Hill DNR Fish Hatchery property. After watching the area for a couple of hours, the rangers found a man and woman returning to the campsite from a nearby parking lot. The couple was homeless and living out of their vehicle. The female claimed to not have any identification and provided a name and address which turned out to be false. The woman continued providing false information and was arrested for providing false name and information to an officer, and was transported to jail. After obtaining her correct information, it was determined that she had numerous encounters with law enforcement in the past and found to have been caught camping on the Hatchery property the previous winter.
On evening of June 22nd, RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Phillip Scott patrolled eastern Bryan County checking boat ramps, and the areas of Richmond Hill WMA for unauthorized use of ATVs on a WMA. They found a couple camping on the WMA at the Egypt Island tract. Both persons were cited for camping on a WMA in an undesignated camping area.
LIBERTY COUNTY On June 22nd, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Cpl. Phillip Scott conducted a HIN/registration inspection detail at the Ga. Forestry Office in Midway, helping in the registration of 15 boats.
LONG COUNTY On Friday 6/21/2013 Sgt. Wayne Hubbard, Cpl. Bobby White and Rng. Kate Hargrove assisted Long County Sheriff's Office with traffic detail targeting operation of vehicles and vessels while under the influence. Later that night Sgt. Hubbard and Rng. Hargrove responded to animal complaints in McIntosh and Long Counties. 23 Canadian Geese were hit by vehicle on HWY 17 south of Darien and an 8ft alligator was removed from roadway and relocated.
On June 22nd, Cpl Bobby White conducted a HIN inspection assisting 24 boaters with getting their boats registered.

On Saturday 6/22/2013 Sgt. Wayne Hubbard and Rng. Kate Hargrove conducted a HIN inspection at Butler Island Check Station to assist recreational boaters with boat registration. That afternoon Sgt. Hubbard and Rng. Hargrove checked recreational vessels participating in King Fish Tournament out of Two-Way Fish Camp and Marina.
WAYNE COUNTY On June 20, 2013 RFC Randy Aspinwall was patrolling the Sansavilla WMA when he came up on a vehicle parked beside the road. There was a female on the passenger side of the vehicle. He asked what was going on and she stated that her husband was in the woods retrieving a stand. Aspinwall noticed a rifle case in the back seat of the vehicle. As he was talking to her, the husband came out of the woods. Aspinwall approached him and asked for his driver's license. Aspinwall ran the suspect on GCIC and he came back wanted out of Glynn County. Aspinwall also found out that he was a convicted felon. When Aspinwall retrieved the gun out of the vehicle he saw 3 pills lying in the passenger seat. It was 2 Zanex and a Hydrocodone. The female suspect stated that they were hers. He was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and for being wanted. She was arrested for possession of dangerous drugs.
CAMDEN COUNTY On June 20th, RFC John Evans responded to a call of someone illegally catching hogs with a dog on the Interstate in Camden County. A Camden County Sherriff's Deputy had the suspect stopped. RFC Evans investigated and got a statement from the suspect. He was cited with Hunting without Permission and two live hogs were confiscated.
On June 20th, RFC Evans assisted C. Mo's Kids with hog hunts for three disabled youths in Camden County. C. Mo's Kids is an organization that takes handicapped and terminally ill children on outdoor adventures.
On June 20th, RFC John Evans taught Archery to the kids attending the summer camp at Crooked River State Park.

GLYNN COUNTY On June 18, RFC David Brady and Sgt. Chris Hodge responded to a boating incident in Manhead Sound around the Frederica River. When the officers arrived on scene, one victim was trapped underneath the overturned boat. RFC Brady and Sgt. Hodge worked together with the US Coast Guard to get the victim from underneath the boat and transported him to the McKay River Boat Ramp where Sgt. Mark Carson and RFC Randy Aspinwall were standing by to assist. Shortly thereafter, the victim was transported by emergency medical personnel and flown to Shands in Jacksonville, FL.
On June 18th, RFC John Evans taught a Hunter Education CD Class at Camp Tolochee Boy Scout Camp in Glynn County and certified three new hunters. On June 19th, RFC John Evans assisted the Brantley County Sherriff's Office with the Junior Police Academy in Nahunta. RFC Evans gave a Firearms Safety talk and operated the Laser Shot for about 75 kids to compete individually and as teams.