Field operations weekly report [Feb. 7-13, 2016]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report February 7- 13, 2016
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)
No activity to report.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BARROW COUNTY On February 12th, Ranger Chris Kernahan completed the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course. He also recently completed the Criminal Investigations course. Each course was held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On February 7, RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled Clarke County for fishing and boating activity. Violations documented during the patrol were fishing without permission.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On February 11th, Sgt. Bo Kelly taught at Georgia College and State University senior criminal justice class in Milledgeville. Sgt. Kelly spoke about ranger duties and hiring procedures for getting a job with the DNR law enforcement division.
Friday February 12th, RFC Jeremy Reese and Sgt. Bo Kelly investigated an unlawful dumping site on Thomas Field Rd. Evidence was collected and two subjects were charged with unlawful dumping.
HOUSTON COUNTY Cpl. Robert Stillwell and RFC Ronnie Beard, on February 7th, worked the final day of the Great Outdoor Show in Perry, Georgia at the Agri-Center.
LAMAR COUNTY On February 6th, RFC Keith Page received a call regarding several individuals having just dumped a large quantity of tires (approximately 75-100) in an area which they did not have permission to dump. After an investigation that included Lamar County Deputies, RFC Page arrested and charged two men with unlawful dumping of egregious litter in excess of 500 pounds, a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
On the afternoon of February 11th, a man assaulted an elderly relative and ran into the woods with a gun. RFC Keith Page and K9 Drake responded along with Lamar County Deputies, Georgia State Troopers and Agents from the GBI. K9 Drake was used to track the suspect, who was eventually spotted by a citizen several miles from his residence. Officers responded and took the man into custody; the individual did not have a gun in his possession at this time. RFC Page deployed K9 Drake and back-tracked the suspect for nearly a mile before locating the area the man had been hiding; the suspect had taken shelter in a large limb pile and covered himself with debris in order to hide from a hovering GSP helicopter. Page and Drake then located the missing firearm inside the shelter the suspect had made. The entire search for the suspect lasted approximately 4 hours.

WILKINSON COUNTY Rangers Wanda Roberts, Robert Stillwell, Josh Swain, Jeremy Reese, Bo Kelly and Intern student Andrew Daniel assisted with the 19th Annual Wilkinson County Quail Hunt for Kids that was held February 13th. New hunters were able to take part in shooting clay pigeons, archery and hunting quail.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
EARLY COUNTY On February 7th, Sgt. Jim Atchley and RFC Quinn Fogle checked two subjects at Coheelee Creek landing and located three gill nets in the subjects boat. The nets were confiscated and the subjects were issued citations for illegal use of commercial gear. THOMAS COUNTY On the morning of Feb. 7th, Sgt. David Ruddell was checking activity at the public boat ramp on the Ochlocknee River and encountered a vehicle parked where flood waters covered the road. A male subject was found sitting alone inside the SUV. Following a brief conversation to check the welfare of the subject, Sgt. Ruddell ran the vehicle's tag and learned the driver had outstanding warrants and a suspended driver's license. The subject was taken into custody by Thomas Co. Deputies, and a plastic bag containing suspected Methamphetamine/Ice was located in the vehicle.

DOUGHERTY COUNTY Cpl. Bob Holley was honored at the Albany Exchange Club's annual officer of the year luncheon, where the club recognizes officers from the surrounding areas for their outstanding service. Cpl. Holley represented DNR Region 5 Law Enforcement Division as their Ranger of The Year.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TELFAIR COUNTY On February 9th, Corporal John A Stokes received a call from Sergeant James McLaughlin about people driving around lock gates on Horse Creek WMA. One violator was found driving around two gates and got stuck. He was charged for the violation.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On the evening of February 13, 2016, RFC Kiel Toney observed a suspicious vehicle at a boat ramp while patrolling north Bryan County. Through his investigation he discovered one of the occupants was wanted by an adjacent county and open containers were present in the rear of the vehicle. The wanted individual was detained and the rear occupant was cited for the alcohol violation. RFC Jason Miller and RFC Jack Thain arrived a few minutes later to assist. After obtaining consent, RFC Miller and RFC Toney searched the vehicle and found illegal drugs in the rear seat. The occupant who was in the rear seat was then placed under arrest. Both individuals were transported to Bryan County jail. CAMDEN COUNTY On February 11, RFC David Brady was southbound on I95 when he saw a car pulled over on the shoulder of the road that was billowing smoke. By the time Brady got stopped, the car became engulfed in flames. He was able to verify that the occupants had gotten out of the burning car safely and radioed for Camden Fire and Sheriff's office to respond to the scene. Due to the quick response of the fire crew and interagency cooperation, most of the belongings were able to be recovered.

Car fire on I-95
GLYNN COUNTY On February 7th, RFC John Evans was patrolling Altama Plantation WMA when he encountered two men who had just came out of the woods. While Evans was checking the men for license compliance, he noticed the strong smell of marijuana coming from one of them. After a short investigation, Evans determined that the father had been smoking marijuana and was in possession of a pipe, still packed with marijuana and found more marijuana in his pocket. The man was arrested for Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act and transported to the Glynn County Jail.