Sea turtle nest disturbed and drug busts among other violations & investigations in Florida

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. |Officer Bartlett — May 2, 2018. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife, Bekah Nelson | Flickr

The week of May 12 through May 18 seems to have been an eventful one for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). From proactive measures to drug busts, domestic disputes, and felony charges, the commission undertook a series of significant actions in accordance with Florida law last week — including concluding investigations into a report of a sea turtle nest disturbance.

According to a release from the FWC, Officer Specialist Morrison of Sarasota County responded to a report of a nesting site being disturbed, issuing a several-month-long investigation into the matter. Morrison was able to eventually track down the individual responsible and charges were filed with the Sarasota State Attorney.

The incident follows recent reports from FWC's Wildlife Research Institute's initial count showing promising numbers for this year's nesting season — including a doubling in total loggerhead nests, and several other increases that you can read more about here.

While nests were disturbed in Sarasota, in Palm Beach County, Officers Peters, and Stiltner rescued two turtles with assistance from FWC biologists. The injured loggerheads were found near Munyon Island after suffering a strike from a watercraft. The sea turtles were removed from the water for further assessment and rehabilitation.

Moving to Hendry County, Officers Naules and Watson responded to a report of a suspect shooting and killing an alligator. Upon further inspection, officers found the subject to be in possession of a recently skinned and cleaned gator. The suspect was charged after admitting to having fired the fatal shot.

Several FWC officers working the waterways for an annual boating event called Floatopia at Palm Beach County's Peanut Island resulted in the issuance of a multitude of citations and charges, including 35 boating safety citations, 31 boating safety warnings, one underage possession of alcohol charge, and five boating under the influence arrests.

In Gulf County, an investigation into a male suspect fishing from the banks resulted in the discovery of illegal substances when he went to obtain his fishing license from his truck. The suspect was found to be a convicted felon and was arrested by Officer Gerber for possession of a .22 caliber rifle, methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia located inside the vehicle, with additional charges pending.

The incident in Gulf County wasn't the only one to result in an arrest for meth possession.

Officers Norris and Lambert with Marion County were conducting resource inspections at the Moss Bluff Boat Ramp when they ran into a subject fishing. During the freshwater resource inspection, the officers were able to see a small baggie containing a powdery white substance in plain view. They conducted a chemical field test, which came back positive for methamphetamine. The subject was arrested for possession and transported to the Marion County Jail without incident.

In a week filled with various incidents and enforcement actions, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) demonstrated its commitment to protecting wildlife and upholding the law. Through these actions, the FWC continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding the state's wildlife as well as enforcing Florida and conservation laws.

You can read the FWC's May 12 through May 18 law enforcement action release in its entirety below:

Bay County

• Officer M. Gore and Officer C. Jarrell responded to a single vessel, two occupant boating accident. After conducting the initial investigation, it was determined the passenger’s hat blew off while they were underway. The operator slowed the vessel, and the passenger jumped in to retrieve the hat. The operator put the vessel in reverse and left the helm. The vessel backed over the passenger resulting in serious injury. The passenger was transported to the hospital. Charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing. 
• Officer M. Gore responded to a domestic dispute at St. Andrews State Park. A married couple were staying at the park campground. Both were drinking heavily when a verbal argument turned physical, with the female receiving minor injuries.  After conducting a domestic violence investigation, it was determined the male subject was the aggressor.  He was arrested for domestic battery and booked into the Bay County Jail.  

Escambia County

• Area officers worked a targeted enforcement action on Bayou Chico related to derelict vessels and vessels at risk of becoming derelict. This area is known to contain anchored vessels that are not maintained. This often leads to the vessel sinking and becoming a navigational and environmental hazard. Officers checked 23 anchored vessels and 21 violations were documented. These violations ranged from failure to transfer title, no registration or expired registration, at-risk vessel, and no navigation lights. In addition, an individual with an active warrant who was living on an at-risk vessel was arrested. Owners of several vessels are still being identified.     
• Officers Ramos, Allgood and Long were on patrol and observed an adult male carelessly operating a personal watercraft at high speeds in an idle speed zone with a small child on board. The officers conducted a boating safety inspection on the PWC and observed many signs of impairment coming from the operator. Officer Ramos asked the operator to perform standardized field sobriety tasks and the disoriented operator performed poorly. Officer Ramos placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence. The subject was booked in the county jail for BUI and issued a citation for refusing to provide a breath sample. The State Attorney’s Office is investigating an additional charge of child neglect. Officers Allgood and Long ensured the child was safely reunited with another guardian during the suspect’s arrest.

Gulf County

• Officer Gerber was conducting resource inspections when he observed two individuals fishing from the bank. The male subject returned to their vehicle to find his fishing license. During the inspection, Officer Gerber discovered a .22 caliber rifle, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. The male subject is a convicted felon and was arrested for the violations. Additional charges are pending. 

Santa Rosa County

• Officer Bower was on patrol and observed a vessel returning to the boat ramp late at night without navigation lights. During the inspection, bush hooking equipment (large weights, lines, large hooks) was observed on the vessel. A cooler on the vessel containing catfish and bream was located. The subjects denied partaking in bush hooking and said they used the rod and reel to catch the catfish. It is illegal to possess any bush hooking equipment while in possession of a freshwater game species. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
• Officer Bower received information from a Wildlife Alert stating an angler was keeping over the bag limit of redfish. It was later determined the subject walked back to his condo with the cooler of fish. Officer Bower located the subject’s residence and heard noises coming from the garage. Officer Bower knocked on the garage door, but no one answered. Officer Bower waited nearby and observed several occupants entering the home. Officer Bower contacted them and asked if the subject was home. The subject came outside and admitted to having a cooler of fish. The subject was in possession of five redfish, four of them were undersized, and one flounder. The subject was issued a notice to appear for possession of over the bag limit of redfish, enhanced penalty, and possession of undersized redfish.
• Officer Corbin was on patrol at a local boat ramp when he observed a vessel return at night. A vessel stop was conducted for a resource inspection. During the inspection, the subject was found in possession of six bass, one which was beheaded and gutted. The subject admitted to using the head of the bass as bait. The subject said he had begun fishing the day prior. The vessel did not have a hull identification number displayed. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for being in possession of gamefish not in whole condition.

Walton County

• Officers Tison and Letcher were on patrol on Choctawhatchee River when they stopped a vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection. The individual operating the vessel informed them he had been setting bush hooks for catfish. The officers determined he was not properly marking his hooks with his name and address, and he was also using gamefish (bream) for bait. The individual also did not have a current freshwater fishing license. He was cited for the illegal use of gamefish on bush hooks and no fishing license.

Washington County

• Officers Rockwell and Tison were patrolling Choctawhatchee River in the Caryville area when they observed numerous bush hooks. They stopped to check if they were properly tagged with the owner’s information and what type of bait was used. They discovered it was tagged with the owner’s information but had been baited with a live bream, which is a violation. They continued patrolling and encountered the owner of the bush hooks fishing farther down the river. He was issued a citation for the Illegal use of gamefish for bait.
• Officer J. Touchton was on patrol at the Caryville Highway 90 boat ramp on the Choctawhatchee River when he observed a subject fishing from the shore. He conducted a resource inspection and determined the subject did not have a fishing license and had an active warrant from Walton County. He was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail on the warrant and cited for the license violation.

COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING
Bay County

• Officer K. Hellett and Officer T. Basford attended the Hiland Park Baptist Church Men’s Field Day event near Bear Creek. There was freshwater fishing and a shooting range at the event.  They spoke with the 125 attendees at the event about what a FWC officer’s job duties entail. They also went over the rules and regulations for fishing, hunting, and boating safety. The officers handed out regulations and outreach materials to the attendees. 

Holmes County

• Officer J. Touchton instructed a hunter safety class in Bonifay about Florida hunting rules and regulations. There were approximately 12 people in attendance.

Citrus County

• Officers VanNess and Cassidy were patrolling the coastal waters when they observed two people harvesting oysters. An inspection of their bags showed they had kept over the allowed five percent undersized allotment. The subjects were cited for the violations.
• Officer Brown received a call from the United States Coast Guard regarding a possible intoxicated vessel operator. Minutes later, Officer Brown arrived on scene and observed several indicators that the operator may have been impaired. After conducting standardized field sobriety tasks, Officer Brown placed the operator under arrest for boating under the influence. At the jail, the operator provided a breath sample that was over the legal limit.

Dixie County

• While on water patrol, Officer Specialists Robson and Sheffield observed two subjects and a vessel with fishing rods. Upon conducting a marine fisheries inspection, the officers found the subjects to be in possession of 10 undersized redfish. The longest redfish in their possession was 8 ¼ inches in length. To be legally possessed, redfish need to be no less than 18 inches nor greater than 27 inches in length. The subjects were cited for possession of over the bag limit and undersized redfish.

Duval/Nassau Counties

• Officer Goodfellow and Hauge conducted two seafood house inspections and identified the seafood house was selling raw shellfish without the proper license and permits. While conducting an inspection of records, Officers Goodfellow and Hauge observed several to-go plates of raw oysters. They located several bags of oysters and clams that were not tagged, and some that were expired. They also noted the establishment had no receipts to track where the shellfish were harvested or when. In addition, they either had incomplete records or no records at all for the shellfish harvested, bought or sold. Officer Goodfellow and Hauge explained the risk to public safety and issued the appropriate citations for the violations noted.
• Officer Barry was following up on a tip around midnight at a local boat ramp when she saw a vessel with three people on board pull up to the boat ramp without any navigational lights displayed, a cooler, and gigging poles. A resource inspection revealed a red drum that had a tear consistent with being shot or gigged, multiple stone crab claws (currently a closed season), and multiple flounder, one of which was undersized. She asked how the red drum was caught and the operator stated he shot it with a bow. Officer Barry issued appropriate citations and warnings for the resource and boating safety violations.
• Officer Tyler was on water patrol and observed a commercial blue crab harvester working their traps. He conducted a vessel stop to complete an inspection and realized he had previously stopped the same individual a few months ago and had issued them a written warning for a violation related to the display of the blue crab permit number on the vessel. Tyler found the issue had not been resolved and the violation was still present. Officer Tyler issued a citation, and the subject must appear in court.

OFFSHORE PATROL

• Offshore Patrol Vessel Sentinel, crewed by Senior Officers Geib and Read, was on federal fisheries patrol on the Atlantic. Officers observed a subject fishing from an out-of-state vessel and conducted a stop to check for compliance. During the inspection, undersized vermillion snapper were found on the vessel. The subject admitted to catching the fish and was issued a federal citation by Officer Geib. The case will be turned over to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for prosecution.

COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING
Duval County

• Officer Specialist Waldo attended a Safe Boating Week event in Fernandina Beach where he had his patrol vehicle and vessel on display with informational handouts available for attendees of the event. Waldo spoke with approximately 80 people and answered questions about rules and regulations.

Brevard County

• Officer Specialist Hallsten was on water patrol when he observed a subject on a commercial crabbing vessel pulling crab traps that did not match the endorsement number and color displayed on the vessel. Officer Hallsten conducted a stop for a resource inspection and found the subject did not hold the endorsement for the traps he was pulling. The owner of the traps was contacted, and it was found the subject had verbal permission to pull the traps but not written permission. The subject was cited for not displaying the proper endorsement number and color on his vessel.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin was patrol at the Christianson’s Landing Boat Ramp, when he observed a vessel almost strike the back of another vessel he had stopped at the dock. Officer Marroquin contacted the operator, who showed signs of impairment. Officer Marroquin conducted standardized field sobriety tasks and determined the operator was impaired. The operator was arrested and later provided a breath sample over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The subject was booked into the Brevard County Jail for boating under the influence. 

Indian River County

• Officer Specialist Marroquin was patrolling state waters near the Sebastian Inlet when he observed a vessel with children on board. Officer Marroquin stopped the vessel to conduct a safety inspection and found the operator showing several signs of impairment. The operator agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks and was determined to be impaired. The subject was arrested and later refused to provide a breath sample. The subject was booked into the Indian River County Jail and charged with boating under the influence with a person under 18 years of age in the vessel and refusal to submit. Officer Marroquin ensured the children were safely reunited with the other parent. 
• Officer Specialist Marroquin was on patrol at the Main Street Boat Ramp when he noticed several people pointing at an individual having difficulty walking through the parking lot. Officer Marroquin, who is a drug recognition expert, observed the individual walk into a parked vehicle. He conducted a welfare check and determined the subject was under the influence of a controlled substance. The officer requested a search and found the subject to be in possession of a controlled substance. Sebastian Police Department responded to assist and charged the subject with possession of a controlled substance and disorderly intoxication.
• Lieutenant Eller and Officer Specialist Marroquin were on water patrol when they responded to a call regarding an individual keeping and filleting an undersized snook. When the officers arrived on scene, they witnessed a subject walking back to their camp holding a container of fillets. Lieutenant Eller contacted the subject, who stated he had no fish. Once Lieutenant Eller disclosed he had seen him with fish fillets, the subject led the officer to where the fillets were being stored. In the container, Lieutenant Eller and Officer Marroquin discovered an undersized snook and an undersized mutton snapper. The subject was cited accordingly.

St. Johns County

• Officer Specialists Lawrence and Thomas conducted a boating safety inspection on a vessel returning from a sandbar party at Matanzas Inlet. Throughout the safety inspection, Officer Lawrence observed signs of impairment from the operator. Subsequent standardized field sobriety tasks revealed the operator’s normal faculties were impaired. The operator was booked into the St. Johns County jail for boating under the influence.

Marion County

• Officers Norris and Lambert were conducting resource inspections at the Moss Bluff Boat Ramp when they encountered a subject fishing. During a freshwater resource inspection, the officers observed a small bag containing a white powdery substance in plain view. A chemical field test was performed and showed a positive result for methamphetamine. The subject was arrested for possessing methamphetamine and transported to the Marion County Jail without incident.

Lee County

• Officers Price and Olivia Johnson were on patrol in a wildlife management area when they observed someone fishing. During the stop, the officers determined the man had driven a motor vehicle to the WMA but did not have a valid driver’s license. The officers advised the subject he needed to get someone to pick him up to avoid arrest. A few minutes later, the officers observed the subject driving a vehicle. They made a traffic stop and confirmed again he did not have a valid driver’s license. He was arrested and booked into the Lee County Jail.
• Officers Price and Olivia Johnson investigated a boating accident that occurred in a narrow winding creek. During the investigation, the officers learned both vessels were on plane at a blind curve, neither had used appropriate sounds or slowed down prior to rounding the corner. The two vessels ended up colliding with each other nearly head-on. Fortunately, both parties walked away from the accident without serious injuries.
• Senior Officer Brad Bell and Officer Chris Hurst were patrolling Pine Island Sound when they saw a boat with a dive flag displayed but no signs of any divers in the water. They stopped the vessel for a safety check and to educate the operator about taking down his dive flag once divers were out of the water. Onboard the boat, the officers found many shells that had been collected by the divers, including 23 live lightning whelks. It is illegal to collect shells with the animals still inside. Appropriate citations were issued.

Sarasota County

• Officer Specialist Morrow, Officer Russell, and Lieutenant Dalton were on water patrol near Venice Inlet. A vessel was returning from offshore with multiple fishing rods on board. A vessel stop was conducted and an undersized red grouper was discovered on board. An individual took responsibility for the undersized fish and was cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Morrison responded to a report of a sea turtle nesting site being disturbed. After several months of investigation, Officer Specialist Morrison was able to track down the individual responsible for disturbing the nest. Charges were filed with the Sarasota State Attorney.

Broward County

• Officer Constance was on patrol at the Alsdorf Boat Ramp in Pompano Beach. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a vessel at the boat ramp. With information gathered from the inspection, one individual onboard was cited for possession of undersized red grouper. 

Glades County

• Officers Naules and Watson were on patrol in Glades County, when they observed a subject throwing a cast net into freshwater. After watching the subject throw the net, they conducted a resource and license inspection. The subject had no other fishing equipment other than the net. The subject was found to be in possession of seven freshwater gamefish and was charged with taking freshwater gamefish by illegal method.

Hendry County

• Officers Watson and Naules responded to a report of someone shooting and killing an alligator. The officers located the suspect, who admitted to shooting the alligator. In addition, the subject was in possession of a recently skinned and cleaned alligator. The subject was charged accordingly.

Martin County

• Officers Stone and Hudson received a call regarding an individual who illegally harvested a wild turkey hen during a wild hog hunt in the Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Area. The officers received a detailed description of the vehicle and began to search the area. The officers determined the vehicle left the area. Officer Stone continued to search outside the WEA and located the vehicle at a nearby gas station. The officers contacted the subjects in the vehicle and located the harvested out-of-season hen turkey. The subject was charged accordingly.

Palm Beach County

• Several FWC officers worked the waterways for an annual boating event called Floatopia at Peanut Island. The event resulted in 35 boating safety citations, 31 boating safety warnings, one underage possession of alcohol charge, and five boating under the influence arrests.
• Officer Eustice along with Officer Gilmore and Lieutenant Brodbeck were conducting surveillance at Juno Beach on numerous individuals fishing for pompano. While conducting surveillance, Officer Eustice watched an individual catch and keep 10 pompano. When Officer Eustice conducted a resource inspection, the subject was found to be in possession of 11 pompano and was charged with over the bag limit.
• Officer Eustice was on patrol conducting fisheries inspections at Lake Worth Pier. During his inspections, he came across an individual with an undersized cobia and charged the subject for the violation.
• Officer Eustice was conducting fisheries inspections at Phil Foster and Blue Heron Bridge. During the inspections, he discovered an individual in possession of a porkfish and a bonefish. Officer Eustice issued the subject a warning for possession of a deceased porkfish and charged the subject with possession of a bonefish.
• FWC Officers and Investigators responded to the scene of a personal watercraft accident on Lake Ida. The operator of the PWC was pronounced deceased after being transported to a hospital, while the passenger was treated for minor injuries and released.  The report will be completed by FWC Investigations.
• Lieutenant Brodbeck was on patrol in Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, when a group of anglers were observed fishing with a cast net.  Lieutenant Brodbeck observed approximately eight buckets already filled with fish and conducted a resource inspection. The inspection revealed 12 freshwater gamefish, two black crappie, four largemouth bass, and six bluegill. One angler took responsibility for the violations and was issued a resource citation for harvesting gamefish by illegal method.
• Officer Defeo and Lieutenant Brodbeck were on patrol in John D. MacArthur Beach State Park when a subject was observed attempting to enter the park without paying the required fee. Officer Defeo advised the individual that a fee was required, and he could not enter without paying. The individual disregarded the instructions and illegally entered the state park. The subject was issued a citation for evasion of park fees and was trespassed from the state park for one year.
• Officer Riggs responded to a call regarding a group of individuals throwing rocks at alligators in a canal. It was also reported an individual threw a fishing lure and intentionally hooked one of the alligators. The reporting party also provided video of the offenses. Officer Riggs contacted and questioned the individuals at the address provided. Two of them stated they threw rocks at the alligators to take their picture. Both subjects were educated and cited appropriately.

Martin County

• Officer Schroer and Officer Moss were dispatched to a report of an alligator spotted near a school bus stop. Upon arrival, the officers noticed the alligator did not flee when approached but moved toward the officers, which could indicate the alligator had been fed by humans. With the assistance of a contracted nuisance alligator trapper from the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, the alligator was removed from the area.

WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE
Palm Beach County

• Officer Peters and Officer Stiltner assisted FWC biologists with recovering two injured loggerhead sea turtles near Munyon Island. The cause of injury was due to a vessel strike. The sea turtles were removed from the water for assessment.

Monroe County

• Investigator Chris Mattson was on unmarked, plain clothes federal water patrol in the area of Turtle Reef, which lies in the Key Largo Existing Management Area where spearfishing is prohibited. Investigator Mattson observed subjects in the water with spearguns. A vessel and resource inspection was conducted. The vessel captain took responsibility for the spearfishing violation and received a written federal citation for the violation.
• Investigator Mattson was on his way back to the dock when he received a text about two subjects who had tied up to the head pin marker at Tavernier Creek and were reportedly spearfishing in prohibited Upper Keys state waters. Investigator Mattson arrived on scene to find a kayak tied to the headpin marker and an individual who was spearfishing. Investigator Mattson wrote the subject a notice to appear for spearfishing in the Upper Keys.
• Officers Marshall and Diaz were on water patrol ocean side about two miles off Rodriguez Key when they observed a vessel with a dive flag displayed and no one on board. The officers observed two individuals exit the water onto their vessel with spearguns. Officer Diaz boarded the vessel to conduct a resource and safety inspection and found four speared hog fish, three of which were undersized. In addition, the vessel did not have a type IV throwable life jacket nor a functional fire extinguisher. The officers addressed the violations accordingly.
• Officer Diaz was conducting resource inspections at Indian Key Fill and observed a family underneath the bridge with one individual fishing. Officer Diaz observed two fish in a bucket and found one undersized mutton snapper and one undersized mangrove snapper. The individual also had an expired fishing license. The officer addressed the violations accordingly.
• Officers Rodriguez and Poley were on patrol when they observed an individual fishing from a kayak underneath the Card Sound Bridge. During a resource inspection, Officer Poley saw a small plastic orange canister and a small glass bottle with a white crystalized substance in it. The subject initially stated the small glass bottle was salt to put into the orange canister. He then stated it was the drug crystal meth and that it was his. A test kit revealed the substance was methamphetamine and the individual was arrested for the possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.​

Photo by | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Article by Rachael Volpe