Field operations weekly report, 2018 August 18

Field Operations
Weekly Report August 12 August 18, 2018
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- Acworth (Northwest)
DOUGLAS COUNTY On August 12th, Corporal Chad Cox patrolled Sweetwater Creek State Park and checked four people fishing. He issued two warnings for fishing without a license.
CARROLL COUNTY On August 12th, Corporal Chad Cox checked Lake Paradise in Villa Rica. He checked six people fishing and one vessel. Corporal Cox issued one warning for fishing without a license.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BARROW COUNTY On August 12th, GWFC Chris Kernahan conducted a State Park patrol at Fort Yargo. While on patrol, he made contact with multiple subjects who were illegally in possession of alcohol, as well as marijuana. The violations were addressed.
HALL COUNTY On August 12th, GWFC Kernahan completed a serious injury boating incident investigation that occurred on Lake Lanier. The incident involved an operator of a pontoon boat, who operated at a high rate of speed into a cove adjacent to a campground. The operator towed three teenage passengers on a tube, as they made a wide turn towards the back of the cove. The operator proceeded to operate his boat in such a manner that he caused the teenagers to be ejected from the tube, into the rocky shoreline. Due to the impact with the shoreline, one of the teenagers suffered facial fractures, facial lacerations, knee lacerations, and abrasions at multiple sites. The other two teenagers each suffered abrasions at multiple sites as well. All three teenagers were transported to a local medical center, and were later released. The operator was charged with reckless operation of a vessel.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
LAKE OCONEE On August 9-12th, CPL Allen, CPL Worth, and Game Warden Schay, patrolled Lake Oconee for boating activity. During these patrols, multiple violations of allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD, towing without an observer onboard, operating a PWC within 100' of an object in the water above idle speed, failure to obey regulatory marker, operating a vessel with improper lights, fishing without a license, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs were documented.
ELBERT COUNTY On August 18th SGT. Brian Carter, CPL. Julian Wilkins, and GWFC. Phillip Nelson patrolled the county for fishing and boating activity. Four individuals were cited for fishing without a license during the patrol.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
THOMAS COUNTY On August 18th, Game Wardens Eric White and David Jones were patrolling the Ochlocknee River for alligator hunting activity when they observed a vehicle parked near the boat ramp with the interior light on. The Wardens approached the vehicle and observed two subjects inside the vehicle, smoking marijuana. After making contact with the two subjects, the driver handed warden Jones a pipe filled with burnt marijuana. A search of the front passenger compartment revealed powdered cocaine and alcoholic beverages. The Thomas County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Team was notified and the subjects were subsequently charged with VGCSA, possession of drug related objects, and possession of alcohol by a minor.
CRISP COUNTY On August 18th, Sergeant Al Greer and Corporal Clint Martin entered Loren Williams Park to check the boating activity. As the two wardens entered the park they observed a ski boat tied to the dock with six subjects standing around the boat. After engaging the six subjects in conversation, they observed a large bag of marijuana in the boat. A search of the boat yielded just over five pounds marijuana and several vials of butane hash oil. The owner of the boat was arrested on several felony charges and the case was turned over to the Crisp County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Task Force. The Crisp County Sheriff's Office seized a full size truck a rifle and the ski boat as a result of the drug seizure.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
APPLING COUNTY On the evening of the August 18th, GWFC Patrick Gibbs and Corporal Chase Altman were patrolling the Carters Bight landing area of the Altamaha River for boating safety violations. Around 8:30 pm, two jet skis and a pontoon boat were checked as they pulled up to the boat ramp. Three subjects were screened for BUI, which resulted in one arrest for BUI, as well as two citations for operating a PWC during hours of darkness, and one warning for operating a vessel w/o lights during hours of darkness or low visibility.
CHARLTON COUNTY On August 14th, Game Warden Joseph Cowart received a call from Charlton County 911 about, someone burning tires near Folkston. Upon arrival, GW Cowart talked with several people. It was determined that the fire was started by a cutting torch. Along with the pile of tires, there were fuel tanks and other materials that were burnt. Unlawful burning of egregious litter 1st offense (greater than 500 lbs. /100 cu ft.) was documented.

On August 18th, Corporal Mark Pool & Game Warden First Class Sam Williams were patrolling boat landings along the Satilla River. While at Burnt Fort Boat Landing, the officers observed a vessel, occupied by four subjects, approach the boat ramp without any navigation lights visible. The officers conducted an inspection of the vessel and all required safety equipment. The officers also discovered that there were only two wearable personal flotation devices (PFD's) onboard. Violations for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's were documented. LAURENS COUNTY On August 12th, Game Wardens Dan Stiles and Allen Mills conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Six vessels were checked for registration and boating safety equipment. Three anglers were checked for fishing licenses and creel limit compliance. One violation was documented for operating a vessel without registration. On August 18th, Corporal Dan Stiles patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area for night fishing activity. Eight anglers were checked for licenses and creel limit compliance. Verbal guidance was given to one angler for a minor violation. Later in the night Cpl. Stiles was patrolling a boat landing and conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was in possession of two baggies of marijuana. The subject was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Bags of confiscated marijuana and grinder
WHEELER / TREUTLEN COUNTY On August 17th, Game Wardens Dan Stiles and Randell Meeks conducted a night patrol for alligator hunting activity. Two alligator permit holders were checked for licenses, hunting equipment, and boating equipment. No violations were documented.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No activity to report.