Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Field Operations Weekly Report April 27-May 3, 2014 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 Division. Region I- Calhoun (Northwest) HARALSON COUNTY May 2nd, RFC Daniel Gray checked several individuals fishing while on routine patrol. One individual was cited for fishing w/o a license. Cpl. Wil Smith and RFC Daniel Gray ran the DNR Fishing Simulator at the Bremen Wal-Mart for their annual "Kick off to Fishing" event. May 3rd, RFC Daniel Gray was patrolling on a hunting club where he had been receiving numerous complaints reference to hunting without permission. A vehicle was located on the hunting club and contained two individuals. Neither one of the individuals was a hunting club member and both occupants had outstanding warrants for their arrest. The two individuals were turned over to the Haralson County Sheriff's Department. FULTON COUNTY On May 3rd, Ranger Mark Puig assisted Johns Creek Police Department, Johns Creek Fire Rescue, and the US National Park Service with recovering a body from the Chattahoochee River. The cause of death is still unknown at this time. On May 4th, Ranger Mark Puig assisted the US National Park Service with a vessel patrol on the Chattahoochee River near Roswell. The officers checked 12 fishing licenses, 81 vessels, gave 9 warnings, and wrote citations for fishing for trout with more than one pole, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, boating without a PFD, and allowing children less than 13 years of age on a vessel without PFD's. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) Region III- Thomson (East Central) OCONEE COUNTY On May 4th Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Mark Patterson, and RFC Phillip Nelson attended a NWTF Jakes event hosted at RSE Farms by the Three Rivers NWTF Chapter. Participants at the event were provided the opportunity to try their hand at archery, BB gun shooting, and fishing. CLARKE COUNTY On May 4th RFC Phillip Nelson checked municipal lakes for fishing activity. One subject was found to be fishing without a license. WILKES COUNTY On May 4th Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson patrolled the Little River by vessel. Violations documented during the patrol included, fishing without a license and operating a vessel with insufficient personal flotation devices. HANCOCK COUNTY On Saturday May 3, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Richard Tanner participated in the 6th annual Harper Valley Hunt Club Kids Day. The Rangers began by giving the children a firearm safety program going over the importance of safe gun handling. The children participated in an egg shooting contest where they shot eggs hanging by a string with a BB gun from various distances. MORGAN COUNTY On May 3, RFC Ricky Boles cited one boater for operating a vessel without a registration. The vessel had never been registered in Georgia. On May 4, RFC Ricky Boles while patrolling Lake Oconee boat ramps for activity cited one individual for fishing without a license. GREENE COUNTY On May 3, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Ricky Boles cited one fisherman for fishing without a license and the subject was also given a verbal warning on boat registration. On May 3, while patrolling Lake Oconee for fishing activity in the night hours Cpl. David Allen and RFC Ricky Boles encountered a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was sitting on the edge of road with lights on and radio playing. After investigation, the driver was located passed out in the front seat behind the wheel with keys in ignition. Cpl. Allen attempted to wake subject by tapping on window but had no response. Several beer cans were visible in car. Greene County Sheriff's office was contacted along with local EMS. After field sobriety exercises, the driver was arrested on allegations of DUI and his vehicle was towed. PUTNAM COUNTY On May 3, while patrolling Lake Oconee boat ramps, RFC Ricky Boles encountered a fisherman fishing without a license. The subject stated that he didn't need a fishing license to fish for one day. The fisherman was cited for fishing without a license. NEWTON COUNTY On April 26, while patrolling Lake Varner for fishing activity, RFC Ricky Boles cited one fisherman for fishing without a license. Region IV- Macon (West Central) Region V- Albany (Southwest) DECATUR COUNTY On May 1st, Cpl. Randy Davis and Ranger Steve Thomas were on patrol at Silver Lake WMA when they encountered three subjects fishing in the Panic Pond, a trophy bass pond that is closed for fishing except on the weekends. All three fishermen were cited for fishing on a closed WMA, and fishing without license. On May 3rd, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Steve Thomas were conducting a vessel patrol on Lake Seminole when they encountered a vessel operator that exhibited signs of impairment. The operator failed field sobriety exercises and was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence. CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY On April 28th, Cpl. Steve Robinson responded to a call of shots fired at a residence in Cusseta. Cpl. Robinson assisted Cusseta PD and Chattahoochee SO officers with two male subjects that had received gunshot wounds while allegedly attempting to break into a residence. While the scene was being secured, unruly crowds began to assemble around the area. Fights began to erupt as the officers tried to re-gain control and assure the safety of the victims, shooter, and the nearby public. Once the scene was secure Cpl. Robinson contacted Corporal Jeremy Bolen who arrived with his police dog to locate evidence. DOUGHERTY COUNTY On May 3rd, Corporal Robbie Griner and Ranger First Class Chris Carlisle were conducting a vessel patrol on Lake Worth, when they received a call in reference to an overturned boat below the Georgia Power Dam. A boat with four occupants was being operated in a no boating zone and was pulled through the dam by a vortex, created by the rushing water. Several fishermen witnessed the event and called 911, initiating a response by Albany Fire and Rescue and DNR Law Enforcement. Witnesses stated the family of four suddenly appeared in the tailrace and floated down stream, before swimming to shore. Two of the occupants were young children (ages 7 and 12) who were wearing their lifejackets. None of the occupants sustained serious injuries. The boat was recovered the following day and the operator was charged with three counts of reckless operation. TIFT COUNTY On May 3rd, Cpl. Greg Wade assisted the Georgia State Patrol with a license check in the area around Excelsior. The purpose of the check was to concentrate on DUI enforcement, seat belt violations and license infractions. The license check resulted in multiple license and seat belt violations and one individual was apprehended for DUI. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) TELFAIR COUNTY On May 4th, Cpl. John A. Stokes patrolled Little Ocmulgee State Park for fishing and boating violations. One citation for fishing without a license was issued. WILCOX COUNTY On May 4th, Cpl. John A. Stokes patrolled boat landings; one violation was found for operating a boat without registration at the Half Moon landing. WHEELER COUNTY On Saturday, April 26th, RFC Rodney Horne was working a landing detail on the Oconee River. Two violations for operating a vessel without personal flotation devices, one violation for operating a vessel with expired registration, and one violation for fishing without license on person were documented. COFFEE COUNTY On May 4th, RFC Tim Hutto and RFC Keith McDonald patrolled the Ocmulgee River from Rocky Hammock landing to the Jacksonville landing for boating and fishing activity. Four boats were checked resulting in six documented violations for operating a vessel with insufficient life jackets, fishing without a license, operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher, operating a vessel with a unserviceable fire extinguisher, and boating under the influence. One subject was arrested for boating under the influence (BUI) and one subject was arrested when it was determined he had warrants for his arrest in Coffee County. APPLING COUNTY Cpl. Altman responded to a car accident on Piney Bluff Road and rendered first aid to a small child who was ejected from the vehicle. Cpl. Altman then assisted EMS in cutting out the driver and transporting her to the Hospital. JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On May 1st and 2nd, Cpl. Altman and Ranger Gibbs searched two subjects for questioning in a complaint of hunting w/o permission. One subject was located on the 1st and charged with hunting w/o a license. On the 2nd, the other individual was located and also charged with hunting w/o a license, and also arrested on a warrant out of Telfair County and transported to the detention center in Jeff Davis. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)