FWC OFFICERS charge airboat operator with felony DUI/BUI third violation within ten years
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The following report highlights some cases the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission handled in Brevard County over the past week but does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
■ The FWC Northeast Region Dive Team hosted a three-day multi-agency dive cleanup event at Sebastian Inlet State Park with the FWC Southwest Region Dive Team, FWC South Region A Dive Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Dive Team, Melbourne Police Department Dive Team, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Melbourne Beach Fire Rescue, Brevard County Ocean Rescue, Clean Water Coalition, and the FWC Marine Debris Program.
During this successful event, over 40 divers removed more than 900 pounds of marine debris from the waters of Sebastian Inlet’s North Jetty and North Catwalk. The debris they removed included cast nets, fishing poles, fishing lures, anchors, and tangled ropes.
■ Lieutenant Eller and Officer St. Martin were on water patrol near Sebastian Inlet when they noticed a large fishing vessel returning from offshore. The officers conducted a vessel stop and resource inspection. While onboard, Officer St. Martin observed a large fish box that contained ice and a bag of what appeared to be large snapper fillets. Officer St. Martin interviewed the subject, who admitted to filleting the snapper while offshore. The subject was cited accordingly.
■ While patrolling the St. Johns River marsh, Lieutenant Lightsey conducted a vessel inspection on an airboat. During the inspection, the vessel operator showed signs of impairment. In addition, numerous empty cans and bottles of beer and wine were present on the vessel. After conducting seated standardized field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence (BUI).
Due to the operator’s previous alcohol-related history, he was charged with felony DUI/BUI third violation within ten years, felony DUI/BUI fourth or subsequent violation, refusal to submit to a breath sample second or subsequent violation and several warnings for no safety equipment on board his vessel.
■ Officer Specialist Balgo contacted an individual fishing near State Road 520. The individual stated he had only caught jacks and ladyfish but returned them to the water. Officer Balgo observed the individual’s cooler and conducted a resource inspection. The individual stated he had a spotted seatrout, retrieved it from the cooler and quickly closed it. Further inspection revealed the individual was in possession of an undersized snook. The spotted seatrout was also undersized. The individual was cited accordingly.
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