---

Northern Region

CO Hutchinson assisted the Bloomingdale PD with apprehending an individual who killed three Common Mergansers. The individual, who resides at a lake community, shot the birds from his yard with a .12 gauge shotgun as they were swimming on the lake. He claimed he shot the birds because they were eating all the fish in the lake. All the appropriate summonses were issued.

Northern Region COs participated in the Suffern Sportsmen Show at Rockland Community College, NY.

While patrolling the Trout Conservation Area of the Ken Lockwood Gorge, CO Sutton apprehended and charged four individuals for fishing without valid licenses and using live bait.

Lt. Panico and CO Nestel completed a complex investigation involving a taxidermist who possessed six deer racks without valid possession seals. The taxidermist was charged with possessing unregistered deer parts and failure to maintain accurate records and four individuals were charged with possessing and transporting unregistered deer parts.

CO Hutchinson investigated a complaint of an individual killing a Canada Goose with a slingshot in his backyard. The officer was able to locate the dead goose in the yard and the individual eventually admitted to killing it.

---

Central Region

Officers from the Central Region conducted inspections of area taxidermists after the close of deer season. Putting together information found at some of the taxidermists along with the deer check station data forms led to a case involving four individuals. Simultaneous interviews of the individuals led to confessions of illegal deer hunting, tagging violations and license violations. One individual was charged with purchasing a resident license wrongfully and loaning a license. Another individual was charged with possession of an unregistered deer, registering a deer in another’s name and over the limit buck. The third individual was charged with permitting a deer (that he did not kill) to be registered in his name, loaning a license and interference. The fourth individual was charged with 2 counts of misrepresentation to a license agent, 1 count of possession of an unregistered deer, 7 counts of registering deer in another’s name and 4 counts of over the limit bucks.

CO Szalaj and Lts. Lacroix and Sich were contacted by a woman in October who stated that she had found numerous deer heads in her garage. The heads, along with parts of two turkeys, were found in her locked garage after she broke the lock. She stated that the only person who had access to the garage was her estranged husband. After several months of searching for the husband, he was located living at a relative’s house. CO Szalaj and Lt.’s Lacroix and Sich conducted a recent interview. The man was shown pictures of the deer heads and turkey parts and admitted that one head belonged to a deer he had found dead in the woods. He stated that the other heads were deer he had killed in past seasons. When asked why none of them were tagged, he stated that he thinks he has seals for them. He claimed no knowledge of the turkeys. He was charged with several counts of illegal possession.

Officer Mutone recently assisted the Ocean Township Police Department with an illegal deer hunting incident. The police had stopped a pickup truck at approximately 2300 hrs on a Sunday with three deer in the back. The driver of the vehicle was initially charged by the police with the possession of untagged deer and possession of a weapon for an illegal purpose. Two other subjects involved refused to answer any questions and were released. Officer Mutone took over the investigation and later interviewed these individuals and was able to obtain a written statement detailing the events that took place that evening. While stopped at an intersection, one of the subjects observed a group of deer standing on the side of the road. He took his shotgun and proceeded to shoot three deer from inside the vehicle. Two of the individuals involved were charge with the following: hunting on Sunday; hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle; hunting from the road; uncased firearm; loaded firearm in vehicle; no license and illegal possession of deer.

With information gathered from previous investigations, Officers from the Central Region conducted a night patrol of the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. With Lt. Lacroix stationed at a strategic location, she was able to observe a number of vehicles enter an area of the property that has been vandalized on numerous occasions. Officers McManus and Mascio were directed to the scene and observed a large party in progress. The area was littered with beer bottles, trees and vegetation were cut and destroyed and a large fire was burning. As the officers exited their patrol vehicle, a number of individuals threw their beer bottles and debris into the woods. The officers spent two hours sorting out information and a total of twenty eight wildlife management violations were issued.

When Officer McManus attempted to inspect a fishermen on Lake Carasaljo in the town of Lakewood, the subject hastily packed up his fishing equipment and attempted to leave the area. Officer McManus intercepted his retreat and asked to see his fishing license. The subject stated that he didn’t have a license and didn’t care about such things as fishing licenses. When the subjects credentials were checked, Trenton Dispatch notified the officer that the individual had an active warrant for his arrest. At the same time, a car load of his friends arrived and became boisterous and confrontational with the officer. The local police arrived to assist and subject was taken into custody. A summons for fish no license was issued.

---

Southern Region

Lt. Honachefsky investigated an individual in Atlantic County who unlawfully possessed waterfowl and exotic wildlife without any permits. As a result of the investigation a search warrant was secured for the home. Lt’s Cianciulli, Tonnesen and Massey, CO’s Fox, Kille, Vazquez, Ely, Ciraolo and Toppin, Special Agent Manera, and Investigator Kolby of the USFW Service, along with the local police dept., executed the warrant. The Florida Division of Fish and Wildlife also assisted in the investigation. During the search numerous wildlife related records and 49 exotic animals were seized. A small amount of suspected heroin was located in the home and two individuals residing at the home were arrested on active warrants. The owner of the animals will be charged appropriately once the investigation is complete.

Conservation Officer Batten was patrolling through Bevans WMA after court one evening and observed a man in camouflage standing near a parked truck. CO Batten approached the vehicle and after identifying himself noticed that the man in the driver’s seat of the vehicle had stuck his hands between his legs. Officer Batten instructed the man to show his hands but the man refused and shook his head no. Officer Batten repeatedly ordered the man to show his hand but the man refused all orders. Officer Batten finally opened the driver’s door and removed the man at gun point. After the man was handcuffed CO Batten located a small pipe and a bag of cocaine in the truck. A search of the passenger, who was also wearing camouflage, turned up a digital scale with residue of CDS on it. Both subjects were arrested and processed at the State Police Barracks for various charges.

Conservation Officer’s Ciraolo, Vazquez and Toppin conducted a Sunday operation to interdict illegal ATV operation in Cumberland Co. WMAs. The operation used the Division’s ATV, with an officer working in plainclothes to keep visual contact with illegal operators in WMA. Peaslee WMA was the primary site on this Sunday and the operation netted eight illegal riders. A total of 18 summonses were issued.

Conservation Officer’s Ely, Batten, Vazquez and Ciraolo conducted another Sunday ATV patrol utilizing the Division’s ATV in an undercover mode. The operation covered multiple WMAs in Cumberland and Atlantic Co. Four illegal ATV operators were apprehended in two WMAs. The appropriate summonses were issued.

Conservation Officer Fox was conducting routine patrols when he entered the Glassboro WMA and found three dirt bikes that appeared to be abandoned. Initially the bikes did not come back as stolen but after some more digging it was determined that they had recently been stolen from a neighboring town unbeknownst to their owner. Fortunately the owner was able to arrive with a trailer and pick up his property undamaged.

While patrolling the Winslow and Cedar Lake WMAs one Sunday, CO Toppin apprehended a number of illegal ATV riders resulting in the issuance of fourteen summonses.

CO Kille and CO Vazquez assisted Detectives from the Winslow PD in a search for stolen ATVs in the vicinity of the Winslow WMA. CO Kille flew with a Winslow Twp. Detective in a State Police helicopter, while CO Vazquez assisted on the ground. As a result of the flight six stolen ATVs were recovered from behind an individual’s house.

CO Risher attended the South Jersey Bass Club Association Fisherman’s Flea Market. There were over 150 people in attendance.

Lt. Honachefsky began an investigation of an individual in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, who was alleged to be in unlawful possession of deer parts. During the course of the investigation he found that the subject was also a convicted felon, and was also conducting a cocaine distribution network from his home. A no knock search warrant was obtained for the home since there was a danger to officers who might attempt to make entry into the individual’s home. The Gloucester County SWAT team coordinated the entry of the home. COs Kille, Ely, Batten and Stites, along with officers from the Franklin Twp. PD, and Gloucester County Prosecutors Office conducted the search once the home was secured by SWAT. Approximately 35 officers participated in the search warrant. Substantial amounts of cocaine, marijuana, loaded handguns and rifles, cash and deer antlers as well as packaged deer meat were seized from the home. The subject was charged with numerous criminal complaints and lodged with bail set at $150,000. The appropriate NJFW complaints were issued for unlawful possession of deer parts.

CO Risher, an Eagle Scout himself, taught the Fish and Wildlife merit badge to Boy Scouts in Troop 580.

Lt Tonnesen supervised a clean up of the Stafford Forge Range, Ocean County, where the local scouts filled a 20 yard dumpster with trash and debris picked up from the range. The half day efforts truly entitled the scouts to a letter of appreciation for such great work done in such little time.

Conservation Officer Batten assisted in setting up a joint two day operation with the State Police out of Port Norris. Fish and wildlife officers teamed up with State Troopers to patrol the woods of Eastern Cumberland Co with special emphasis toward local WMAs. On Friday, Conservation Officers Ely, Batten and Ciraolo patrolled Cumberland Co. with a State Trooper riding with them. Friday turned out to be a quiet night with only one arrest in Clarks Pond WMA for possession of CDS. Saturday turned out to be somewhat more typical with COs Ely, Batten and Fox joining with State Troopers to conduct a night patrol. Violations were located in Dix, Bennett’s Mill and Union Lake WMAs with Conservation Officers issuing summons for alcohol and after hours and the State Police citing one driver for no license.

---

Marine Region

Acting on information received at the MRO, COs Dravis and Scott inspected the commercial fishing vessel Jamie Mae on 2/25/09 at the Point Pleasant Fisherman’s Co-op dock. The vessel was targeting Scup and had been reported to land overages of the 100-pound Black Sea Bass by-catch limit. Upon inspection, CO Dravis observed a couple of fish totes covered by plywood. CO Dravis asked the captain what type of fish he had on board and the captain stated he had 3000 pounds of scup and various other by-catch species and then pointed to the totes covered by plywood and said they are some fish he was selling to a fish market. CO Dravis asked what kind of fish (referring to the totes), and the captain stated, “a few sea bass”. CO Dravis asked the captain if he possessed a Directed Black Sea Bass permit which would allow a vessel to possess greater than the by-catch limit. The captain replied that he did, however when CO Dravis asked to see it, the captain then said he did not. The totes of sea bass were off-loaded and weighed 204 pounds, exceeding the by-catch limit by 104 pounds. The overage was sold to the Co-op with the check made out to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The captain was issued a summons for landing Black Sea Bass without a permit, with penalties of $300 – 3000.00.

On 3/5/09 CO Swift inspected the commercial fishing vessel Big Bob as it returned to Point Packing dock from an ocean quahog fishing trip. CO Swift asked the captain what species he had on board and the captain replied quahogs and monkfish. CO Swift asked if there were any other fish on board and the captain said “no”. CO Swift inspected the vessel and observed black plastic bags underneath a conveyor belt. CO Swift picked up one of the bags and it felt heavy. He opened the bag and it contained a cheesecloth bag holding shucked scallops. CO Swift examined the remaining plastic bags and they all contained scallops. The total weight of all the scallops was 168 pounds. The vessel is allowed to possess 40 pounds of shucked scallops. The overage was sold and the proceeds were seized. ASAC Scott Doyle and SA Matt Gilmore responded and assisted CO Swift in the investigation. The case is currently assigned to a NMFS case agent.

On 3/6/09 Lt Fresco, COs Dravis and Swift set up a surveillance of the Manasquan Inlet and waited for the commercial fishing vessel Ocean One to return to port from a scallop fishing trip. The owner of this vessel was suspected of selling part of the catch to non-permitted dealers. Federally permitted fishing vessels must sell their scallops to a federally permitted dealer. This vessel was observed entering the inlet and proceeded directly to the Point Pleasant Fisherman's Co-op dock. After off-loading the vessel returned to it’s dock across from the Co-op. The COs continued surveillance of the vessel and its crew. The owner was observed leaving the vessel's dock by motor vehicle, but left empty-handed. He returned to the vessel about 45 minutes later and shortly afterwards walked to the bed of his vehicle with a bushel basket. He again left the dock and was followed by CO Dravis to the Ark Pub and Eatery in Point Pleasant Beach. CO Dravis waited for the vessel owner to leave the restaurant and then conducted an inspection. CO Dravis talked to representatives from the restaurant and discovered that the owner of the FV Ocean One sold 50 pounds of shucked scallops to the restaurant for $310.00 The restaurant does not possess a dealer’s permit. CO Dravis seized the scallops. The vessel’s owner was apprehended back at his vessel and initially denied selling the scallops until he learned about CO Dravis’ visit to the Ark Pub. The $310.00 was seized from the vessel owner, and the 50 pounds of scallops were sold to a dealer and the value seized. There was also a violation concerning the vessel’s fishing vessel trip report not reporting the pounds of scallops kept, and failing to list the Ark Restaurant as a dealer. The case has been submitted to a NMFS case agent.

The owner of a restaurant fronting Barnegat Bay in Waretown has been complaining of clammers possibly encroaching on a re-clam the Barnegat Bay lot located near his restaurant. These lots are dedicated to growing seed clams to further enhance the hard clam population in Barnegat Bay. On 3/7/09 the restaurant owner contacted CO Soell to advise him that an individual was clamming outside of the lot and claimed the clammer had approached him in the past to sell him clams directly harvested from the bay. CO Soell set up surveillance and watched the clammer. The clammer brought his clams into the restaurant and the owner contacted CO Soell by telephone. CO Soell advised the owner to come outside the rear of the building so he could observe the transaction. CO Soell observed the sale of 40 hard clams for $8.00. The clammer did possess a commercial shellfish license The clammer was issued a summons for selling shellfish to an uncertified shellfish dealer.

In mid-February CO Nicklow obtained information that the surf clam vessel Starlight, out of Atlantic City, landed over its 40lb trip limit and falsified trip reports to hide the overage. After consultation with NMFS agents, CO Nicklow confirmed that the FV Starlight’s operator had falsified documents reporting excess scallop landings on days that the vessel remained at the dock. On 2/26/09 COs Nicklow and Petruccelli set up surveillance and waited for the vessel to return from an offshore surf clam trip. At 1000hrs, as the FV Starlight tied up to Barney’s dock on Rhode Island Ave, the officers boarded the vessel and inspected its catch. The initial inspection of the vessels landing revealed their catch of surf clams and only 39lbs of scallops in a cooler on deck. Fishing Vessel Trip Report (FVTR) was completed for only 39lbs of scallops and the captain repeatedly denied having any other scallops on board the vessel. COs Nicklow and Petruccelli conducted a more thorough inspection of the entire vessel which yielded an additional 111 lbs of sea scallops hidden in a closet below the main deck of the vessel. A total of 150 lbs of scallops were landed by the FV Starlight. CO Nicklow documented all of the violations and is completing the case package of federal charges to be filed with National Marine Fisheries Service. Federal charges are pending against the Captain and the vessel owner for two counts of landing more than 40lbs of sea scallops, and three counts of falsification of the vessel’s FVTR’s. Additional federal charges against the captain of the vessel for making false statements and interfering with Deputy Federal Enforcement Officers will also be filed.

On March 1, 2009 while on his way to the commercial fishing docks in Atlantic City, CO Snellbaker observed an individual operating a motor vehicle erratically. CO Snellbaker pulled along side of the vehicle at a traffic light on Rte 30 and attempted to make contact with the driver. The driver had difficulty lowering his window and appeared to have slow and sluggish movements. When the signal turned green CO Snellbaker pulled ahead of the vehicle and maintained visual observations of it with his mirrors. He observed the vehicle obstructing traffic and contacted Atlantic City Police for assistance with a suspected drunken driver. When the operator failed to stop at a red signal at the next intersection, CO Snellbaker initiated the motor vehicle stop and held the individual until a traffic safety unit from ACPD arrived. Field sobriety tests were administered by the ACPD Officer and the individual was arrested for DUI. The driver subsequently failed a breathalyzer test, was formally charged with driving under the influence and plead guilty at his arraignment.

On March 1, 2009 the Federal General Category Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) sea scallop season opened as did two limited access sea scallop fishing areas off the Atlantic coast. The Elephant Trunk and the Delmarva Closed Sea Scallop Areas opened for a limited number of 400 lb/day IFQ trips. In past years, the openings of these areas have been like a modern day gold rush with NJ Marine Officers charging numerous vessels for federal violations relating to overages being landed. The 2009 opening and subsequent season has been quiet with District 8 Officers conducting over 25 boardings so far of Federally permitted vessels without any major overages landed.

---

HOME    |    REGULATIONS    |     LINKS   |    MEMBERS AREA   |    EVENTS   |    KIDS   |    SHOP
PHOTOS   |    HIGHLIGHTS   |    CONTACT US   |    DONATE    |    MEMBERSHIP    |    MISSION