Field operations weekly report [June 14-20, 2015]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 14 June 20, 2015
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)
BARTOW COUNTY On June 14th, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Zack Hardy responded to a call of a boat incident at Old 41 Day Use. The officers located sunken vessel near the campground. The owner stated he had "no idea what happened" the vessel started taking on water and he headed to shore. A tow truck was used to pull the boat out of the water. On June 14th, RFC Micheal Crawley and RFC Bart Hendrix were patrolling Allatoona Lake in the area of Red Top Mt State Park. The officers stopped a vessel for violating the no wake zone. The operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The operator was charged with Operating a vessel under the influence and failure to obey regulatory marker. On June 14th, Cpl. Byron Young, RFC Zack Hardy and Bartow County Sgt. Wesley Duncan responded to three separate calls for assistance to stranded boaters on Allatoona Lake. The officers assisted the boaters with the assistance of TowboatUS. CHEROKEE COUNTY On June 14th, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Zack Hardy responded to a call of a boat fire at Sweetwater Campground on Allatoona Lake. The officers found a 19 foot Sylvan Ski boat completely burned. The operator was alone when a fire started in the engine compartment. The operator jump in the water and swam to shore uninjured. The vessel was a total loss.
Burned Sylvan Ski boat on Allatoona Lake

FANNIN COUNTY On June 12th, RFC Cody Jones assisted with a kids fishing event that was held at the Fannin County pond. About 80 kids and adults participated. On June 12th, RFC Cody Jones patrolled the Toccoa River by kayak. Officer Jones issued 8 citations and warning for non-resident fishing without licenses, fishing after obtaining creel limit of trout, and PFD violations. On June 13th, Cpl. James Keener and RFC Cody Jones patrolled Blue Ridge Lake and issued citations and warning for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, underage children with no PFD's, and registration violations. MURRAY COUNTY On June 19th, Cpl. Casey Jones and Ranger Mark Moyer assisted the Murray County Sheriff's Office with the search for a missing person. The incident occurred on Carters Lake and officials became involved when a Gilmer County man's vehicle was found abandoned at the Carters Lake Visitors Center. The lost man was located the following morning uninjured. FULTON COUNTY On June 20th, Ranger First Class Daniel Gray, Ranger Mark Puig, Intern J.P. Alvarez patrolled the Chattahoochee River via patrol vessel. The Rangers wrote several citations and warnings for fishing with illegal bait in the artificial only zone, fishing without a license, fishing without a trout license, and not having sufficient Personal Flotation Devices. There were also quite a few folks catching trout such as this young angler by the name of Sawyer Stewart with a limit of trout.
Young Angler Sawyer Stewart with his legal catch of trout

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
RABUN COUNTY On June 20th, Corporal Derek Dillard got a phone call from Rabun County Search and Rescue requesting some assistance with the search for a missing 21 year old female that had went missing yesterday while floating on a raft on the Chattooga River. RFC Chad Chambers responded to the Warwoman area of Rabun County and helped search the areas of Earl's Ford and Sandy Ford Roads. Finally around lunch time, the lady made her way out to a road where she was picked up by a citizen and given a ride to Tuckaluge Grocery Store. She appeared to be ok other than some scratches on her from, what she said, was from walking in the woods all night.
MADISON COUNTY On June 19th, RFC Shane Sartor patrolled the Broad River for fishing and litter violations. During his patrol he observed two females smoking what he believed to be marijuana from a pipe. RFC Sartor confronted the females and they admitted to smoking marijuana and turned over the pipe and the remaining marijuana. Both individuals were issued citations for VGCSA less than an ounce.
HART COUNTY On June 20th, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Shane Sartor patrolled Lake Hartwell for boating safety violations. Several boats were checked for proper safety equipment. As a result, three citations and warnings were issued. The violations consisted of allowing underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing a PFD, operating a vessel without registration, and operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher.
On June 20th, Sgt. Stan Elrod and Cpl. Craig Fulghum patrolled Lake Yonah and Lake Hartwell for boating and fishing violations. During their patrols three violations were documented. The violations were fishing without a license, failure to obey regulatory marker, and towing a skier after sunset.
HALL COUNTY On June 19th, Cpl. Jason Roberson arrested one subject for operating a vessel under the influence.
On June 20th, RFC Mark Stephens was patrolling Hall County in Sun Rise Cove day use area. Officer Stephens observed a young man. Through an investigation the man was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Later in the day, RFC Stephens arrested a woman in Sunset Cove who was in possession of Xanax and marijuana.
On June 20th, Rangers from the DNR Law Enforcement Division along with numerous members of the Hall County Sherriff's office conducted a detail on Lake Lanier to curtail illegal activity. A total of eleven arrests were made. They included three felony drug arrests, six misdemeanor drug arrests, and two BUI.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On June 14th Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Cpl. Mark Patterson patrolled Lake Russell by vessel. During the patrol the Rangers addressed several violations of operating a vessel with insufficient personal flotation devices and allowing a child to ride in a vessel without a personal flotation device.
On June 20th Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, and Cpl. Mark Patterson patrolled Lake Russell, associated State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas. The Rangers documented a number of violations including fishing without a license, possession of undersize fish, operating a PWC without a personal flotation device, and operating a vessel with insufficient personal flotation devices.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On June 20th Sgt. Brian Carter and W/L Technician Nick Holbrooks investigated a case of an individual holding a Whitetail Deer fawn. As a result a violation of holding a game animal without a permit was documented. The fawn was taken to a wildlife rehabilitator.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On June 20, RFC Matherly responded to a two vehicle accident with entrapments on US Hwy 1 at mile marker 24 in Jefferson County. Upon arriving Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Chip Evans was already on scene. While Sgt. Evans was attempting to free one of the entrapped subjects RFC Matherly asked a Wrens Fire/Rescue volunteer to check the other entrapped subject while he assisted her husband, and her 10 year old daughter, who had been able to get out of their vehicle. As EMS and Fire/Rescue arrived on scene to assist with the entrapped subjects RFC Matherly assessed the two victims he was with and tried keeping them calm while waiting for Medical personnel to further evaluate them. After making sure they were taken care of and placed in an ambulance, RFC Matherly gathered information from the 10 year old girl to contact her Grand Mother. RFC Matherly made contact with GSP Dispatch to have an Emanuel County Deputy notify the little girl's Grand Mother to meet them at Georgia Regents Medical Center. RFC Matherly then assisted Jefferson County Fire/Rescue and Gold Cross EMS with the other two victims that were still entrapped in the vehicles. RFC Matherly kept GPS Dispatch informed with information for the responding State Trooper and assisted with keeping bystanders from entering the crime scene. After State Trooper Hal Wilson arrived on scene, RFC Matherly assisted in gathering further information for his investigation and relaying information to GSP Dispatch. One victim was deceased on scene, one was in critical condition and the Father and Daughter are stable.
RICHMOND COUNTY On June 14, Cpl. Payne and RFC Billips patrolled the Savannah River by boat. The Rangers worked 3 boating complaints and checked several vessels. Only minor violations were observed during the patrol. The officers spoke with residents and the manager of 5th Street Marina to get feedback on new regulations and officer presence.

On June 14, Sgt. Boswell and Cpl. Adams patrolled the Augusta canal for fishing violations. Three subjects were dealt with for fishing without a license. The two Rangers also patrolled Spirit creek WMA for any illegal activity.
BURKE COUNTY On June 20, Corporal Ben Payne and Ranger First Class Jeff Billips patrolled the Ogeechee River for fishermen and boaters. One fisherman was found fishing without a license while all vessels checked were in compliance with boating safety requirements. The Rangers also patrolled Brier Creek at Ellison Bridge. The Rangers assisted the Burke County Sheriff's Office with a theft investigation.
WASHINGTON COUNTY On June 20, Corporal Adams Patrolled the Oconee River for fishing and boating violations. Several Fishermen were checked with no violations. On subject was cited for not having any life jackets for the four occupants in the vessel. Corporal Adams assisted one family that was having vehicle trouble.
LAKE OCONEE Sgt. John Harwell taught boating safety class at Singleton Marine in Greensboro, Ga. Sgt. Harwell certified six students during the two night class.
Rangers Derrell Worth, John Harwell, David Allen, and Daniel Schay patrolled Lake Oconee June 20-21, 2015. The rangers cited violations for towing skiers without observers on PWC's, Underage children without PFD's while riding in a moving vessel, Failure to obey regulatory markers, and various light violations on vessels operating after sunset.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On June 21st, RFC Robert Timmerman and Ranger Michael Madden conducted a concentrated vessel patrol of Keg Creek on Clarks Hill Lake. Two people were apprehended towing skiers without having observers on board. The vessel operators were cited and released.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On the evening of June 14th, Ranger Matt Johnson checked several kayakers on the Oconee River. Verbal guidance was given for not having PFD's.
On the evening of June 17th, Ranger Johnson met with a landowner in reference to trespassing issues. The landowner provided Ranger Johnson with detailed trail cam photos dating back to this past this deer season. While leaving the property, Ranger Johnson noticed an ATV matching the one in the photo parked at a nearby residence. After interviewing the homeowner, Ranger Johnson received a confession and charged him with one count of hunting without permission.

HARRIS COUNTY On June 14th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen were on routine patrol at Lake Harding and stopped a vessel after sunset for a light violation. After pulling alongside the boat, the officers also noticed that there was a 3 year old child onboard that was not wearing a life jacket. During the safety inspection, it was evident that the operator had been drinking alcohol and admitted to drinking 6 to 8 beers. Cpl. Oliver administered field sobriety exercises to the operator and at the conclusion of the exercises, arrested him for boating under the influence. The operator produced samples of .129 and .125 on the Intox 9000. He was charged with operating a vessel under the influence, BUI child endangerment, allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD, and operating a vessel at night without lights.
JONES COUNTY On the afternoon of June 17th, RFC Jeremy Reese checked several fishermen at the Juliette Dam. No violations were documented.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On June 19th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen presented a boating safety program at Aflac's safety fair. During the event, Cpl. Bolen answered questions about boating laws and discussed the importance of wearing PFD's.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the afternoon of June 19th, Cpl. Lynn Stanford taught a hunter safety cd-rom class at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for the local youth shooting sports team. Later that evening, RFC Reese and Cpl. Stanford patrolled Lake Sinclair. Several boats were stopped and one citation was issued for skiing after hours.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CLAY COUNTY On June 20th, Ranger Quinn Fogle encountered a boater operating without lights at night on Lake George. During the stop the operator was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested and charged for operating under the influence, and operating without lights during hours of darkness.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On June 15th, Cpl. Robbie Griner and Sgt. Ellis Wynn conducted an educational program for participants of the annual Oaktree Summer Camp. The camp is a month long program for students from the surrounding counties and focuses on outdoor activities and the environment.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
APPLING COUNTY On June 7th, while on patrol at Bullard Creek WMA, Cpl. Altman observed one individual throw a soda can out of a car window and drive off from the camping area. This vehicle was stopped and a littering violation was documented for the passenger of the vehicle.
On June 20th, Cpl. Altman conducted a boat ramp check along the Altamaha River. Several vessels were checked resulting in violations of operating a vessel w/o PFD's, and operating a vessel with expired registration, and towing a skier w/o a PFD.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On June 11th, at around 3:30 in the morning, Cpl. Altman was dispatched out to assist Jeff Davis Deputies on a call of suspicious activity on private property. After arriving on scene, one of the persons involved had ran on foot, leaving behind one female, a truck and fishing equipment. After a brief investigation, it was determined that the male had a warrant out of Coffee County, and neither of the two people had permission to be fishing on the property. After contacting the landowner, who didn't want to press charges, the female was arrested on drug charges. After a lengthy search for the male, Cpl. Altman and the deputies left the scene. On the back roads headed home, Cpl. Altman spotted a male walking down the road just at day break. After pulling up to chat, Cpl. Altman recognized a tattoo on his arm. Cpl. Altman asked the man's name and it was the same male who was wanted. Cpl. Altman identified himself and the man took off running into the woods. A brief foot chase ensued. The suspect was subdued shortly thereafter and deputies came to escort him to jail on the warrant charges.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On June 15, Captain Scott Klingel, Sergeant Jon Barnard, Corporal Kevin Joyce, Corporal Chase Altman, Ranger First Class Clint Jarriel and K-9 Briar, all responded and assisted the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office with the search for a fleeing felon. The officers set up a perimeter of the incident location and conducted a woods search for the suspect. All officers worked until the morning hours of June 16 when the subject was apprehended.
WHEELER COUNTY On June 14th, Corporal Dan Stiles and Ranger First Class Rodney Horne conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Three vessels were checked for registration and boating safety equipment and one angler was checked for license and creel compliance. No violations were detected.
On June 19th, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Ranger First Class Rodney Horne assisted Little Ocmulgee State Park and two private vegetation specialists by using his patrol vessel to move around the lake, allowing them to take samples of the aquatic vegetation growing in the lake in order to maximize weed control techniques.

TELFAIR COUNTY On June 14th, Corporal Dan Stiles and Ranger First Class Rodney Horne patrolled boat landings for boating safety equipment and boat registration compliance. Two vessels were checked by the officers and no violations were detected.
SCREVEN COUNTY On June 14 Corporal Shaymus McNeely, Sergeant Don Dasher, and Corporal Mike Wilcox patrolled the Savannah River in the Burtons Ferry area. The officers checked several boats throughout the patrol. Cpl. McNeely investigated and arrested one boat operator for boating under the influence.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On June 14th 2015, Ranger Jordan Crawford and Corporal Eddie Akins patrolled the Ogeechee River in lower Effingham County. A total of twenty boats were checked with eight violations documented. Violations included fishing without a license, operating a vessel without registration and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's on board.
On June 20th 2015, Ranger Jordan Crawford and Sergeant Don Dasher patrolled several landing throughout Effingham County. Ten boats were checked during the patrol. Two violations for fishing without a license were documented.
CANDLER COUNTY On the evening of June 19th, Corporal Eddie Akins and Ranger Jordan Crawford worked a complaint about someone violating the conditions of a crop damage permit by shining from a public road in the area of Highway 23 and Morgan Pond Road, north of Metter. Shortly before 10:00PM a vehicle came by the officer's position shining a spotlight from the vehicle and the highway. The subject was stopped and a violation was documented for violation of crop damage permit (shining from a public road).
BULLOCH COUNTY Shortly after midnight on the morning of June 19, 2015, Corporal Eddie Akins and Sergeant Don Dasher responded to a call about three overdue boaters on the Ogeechee River. Investigation of the incident revealed that several people had put on the Ogeechee River in blow-up pool floats at the Highway 301 river landing and were going to drift down to Williams Landing and take out. Cpl. Akins and Sgt. Dasher put a vessel in at Williams Landing and went upstream to try and locate the missing individuals. Several miles above Williams Landing three people were located on a sandbar waiting for help to come. The three people were safely transported back to Williams Landing.

CHARLTON COUNTY On June 17th, Ranger Sam Williams received a call from Charlton County 911 that two subjects had motor trouble and were stranded on the Satilla River downstream from Burnt Fort Landing. Ranger Williams responded to the area and after speaking with the subjects it was determined that the vessel had capsized while they were fishing in a creek near the main run of the river. The subjects were able to get the vessel turned back over and recovered most of their equipment, but the motor had taken on water and would not start. The officer provided the subjects with water to drink and assisted them in returning to the landing.
On June 19th, Rangers Daniel North and Judd Sears responded to the St. Mary's River at US Highway 1 Bridge in reference to a report of a boating incident involving a swimmer. Upon arrival, a brief investigation revealed that the swimmer had actually swung on a rope from the bridge and had struck a boat as it passed beneath the bridge. The swimmer sustained multiple injuries to his legs and was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Jacksonville. It was determined that the incident occurred on the Florida portion of the river and Rangers North and Sears assisted Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers in the investigation.
PIERCE COUNTY On June 14th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree and Ranger Sam Williams patrolled Little Satilla Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for illegal ATV activity due to recent complaints. During the patrol, the officers encountered two subjects who were riding an ATV on the WMA. The officers provided guidance to the subjects on WMA regulations and documented the violation. A short time later, the officers encountered two adults fishing. A violation for fishing without a license was documented.
During the late afternoon and evening on June 14th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree and Ranger Sam Williams checked boating and fishing activity at FFA Landing and Hwy. 121 Landing on the Satilla River. Numerous violations for operating vessel without personal flotation devices (PFD's) and operating vessel with insufficient PFD's were documented.
On June 19th, Rangers Daniel North and Judd Sears checked the FFA boat landing on the Satilla River for boating and fishing activity. Four individuals were checked who were fishing at the landing. While speaking with these anglers, attention was drawn to an individual who had been in a dispute with a family member. Upon talking with the individual who was preparing to drive home it was discovered that he and the passenger had been drinking. The dispute between the two individuals had been resolved and a sober driver arrived to drive the couple home.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On June 14, Corporal Kate Hargrove and Ranger Tim Morris patrolled near shore and inshore waters of Chatham County. On June 15, Sergeant Cindy Miller and Ranger Tim Morris assisted the Skidaway CCA with a kids fishing event at the Landings. On June 19, Corporal Buster Cooper and Ranger Tim Morris patrolled near shore and inshore waters of Chatham County. On June 20, Corporal Buster Cooper and Ranger Tim Morris used the fishing simulator at Harley Davidson of Savannah for an I&E with the kids.
Helping a young man on the fishing simulator at Harley Davidson of Savannah