2013-08-27

USDA - FOREST SERVICE
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS
WEEKLY REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF
July 28 – August 3, 2013

REGION 1

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF -On 7/15, an investigation was initiated regarding a local business allegedly offering guided ATV trips on NFS lands without a special use permit. On 7/18, an LEO located a pick-up truck and trailer parked at a trailhead on the Jefferson RD and determined it was registered to the owner of the business. The LEO observed four individuals on ATVs return to the pick-up several hours later. Two of the individuals walked to a vehicle with an out-of-state license plate while the other two loaded the ATVs onto the trailer. The LEO made contact with the group and learned that two of the individuals had paid for a guided ATV tour on NFS lands. The other two individuals, a husband and wife, were the owners of the business. The LEO issued a violation notice to them for conducting commercial activities without authorization.

Helena NF - On 7/28, an LEO responded to a report from the local sheriff’s department regarding individuals swimming in a reservoir closed to public access on the Helena RD. The City of Helena, MT has a special use permit to utilize the reservoir for their water system. The LEO made contact with the reported individuals after observing two men repairing a section of fence at the water’s edge. The driver of a pick-up truck at the site admitted to swimming in the reservoir with his family members and their dog. The man claimed he was under contract with the city to maintain and repair the fence surrounding the reservoir. The pick-up truck was loaded with firewood although the man did not have a fuelwood permit. After further investigation, the LEO placed a female passenger in the truck under arrest for a warrant and transported her to the county detention center. The LEO is coordinating with city officials and the contractor regarding the individuals’ violation of Forest travel management regulations, and cutting timber without permit.

Idaho Panhandle NFs - On 7/21, an LEO teamed up with the River Ranger on the Fernan RD to conduct a float patrol of the Coeur d’Alene River. The LEO and Ranger seized numerous glass bottles, issued several violation notices, provided information to multiple forest visitors regarding regulations along the river, and educated individuals regarding safety and health practices while recreating in the area.

Lewis and Clark NF - On 7/21, a seasonal Wilderness Ranger/FPO on the Rocky Mountain RD observed fresh bicycle tracks on a trail in the Scapegoat Wilderness Area. The FPO waited along a section of trail to contact the bicyclist upon his return. Approximately one hour later, the FPO made contact with a man riding down a wilderness trail and issued a violation notice to him for riding a bicycle in a designated wilderness area.

REGION 2

Black Hills NF - On 7/14, an LEO on the Hell Canyon RD was contacted by a county deputy who along with a local fire crew responded to a report of several men with an open campfire at a site along a fire trail. The deputy and fire crew made contact with five men at the site and located several cut and damaged trees nearby as well. One of the men admitted to cutting and damaging the trees. The LEO requested the deputy to photograph the scene and document the incident. The following two days, the LEO attempted to locate the five men and was able to make contact with three of them. The LEO issued violation notices to the three men for building and maintaining an unlawful fire within the Forest Fire District. The officer also issued a violation to one of the men for unlawfully cutting and damaging timber resources. The investigation is ongoing.

On 7/20, an LEO conducted a patrol along a popular shoreline of a lake on the Mystic RD.The LEO observed three men hiking up a trail while in possession of "Bud Light" beer cans. The men had just walked past a sign stating that alcoholic beverages are prohibited in that area. The LEO made contact with the three men and issued violation notices to them for being in possession of an alcoholic beverage in a prohibited area. The LEO also issued a violation notice to one of the men for providing false information to a forest officer. In addition, the LEO placed one of the men under arrest for a warrant issued for a probation violation related to his conviction of a controlled substance related charge.

On 7/26, an LEO/K9 team on the Northern Hills RD was requested by the local SD to assist in apprehending a felony suspect who fled on foot into the Forest when deputies initiated a contact with him the previous day. The man is known to carry weapons and have wilderness survival skills. The deputies and the LEO/K9 team attempted to contact the man at his residence adjacent to the Forest but determined he was not there. It appeared that several survival type items were recently removed from the residence. After determining the man was not in the surrounding area, the deputies returned to town. The LEO/K9 team continued to patrol the District. The LEO located a tent and made contact with a man who matched the suspect’s description. The man initially provided a false name but eventually admitted to fleeing from the deputy the previous day. The K9 was deployed in a handler protection role as a sit-watch while the LEO placed the man under arrest. While conducting a search incident to arrest, the LEO found the man was in possession of numerous controlled prescription drugs for which he did not have a valid prescription. The man was also under the influence of alcohol which is a violation of his conditions of release from prison. State charges against the man are pending.

On 7/30, an LEO/K9 team on the Northern Hills RD along with several law enforcement officers from Badlands NP instructed a four-hour defensive tactics refresher. The training furthered an interagency partnership that has developed over the past five years between law enforcement officers from the FS, National Parks, and National Memorials located in and around the Forest.

REGION 3

Apache-Sitgreaves NFs - On 7/27, two LEOs issued a violation notice to an individual maintaining a campfire outside a fire ring on the Black Mesa RD. Later that day, the LEOs responded to Woods Canyon Lake where a pick-up truck was partially blocking the flow of traffic. The officers drove near the boat ramp and announced the violation to forest visitors via public address system. The LEOs issued a violation notice to the driver after he responded to move his pick-up truck. The officers also conducted a patrol at a popular recreation area and issued a violation notice to a man driving at a very high rate of speed on an NFS road adjacent to the area. The LEOs placed another man under arrest for a warrant issued by Maricopa County for failure to appear charges. That same day, an LEO located the stumps of four large juniper trees that were illegally harvested from the District. The investigation is ongoing.

On 7/27, two LEOs and a Coconino County SD deputy responded to a reported assault on the Black Mesa RD. The LEOs and deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle allegedly involved in the incident and detained the two female occupants. Upon further investigation, the officers determined the women were in possession of a loaded Glock 19 handgun and multiple open containers of alcohol. The SD issued mandatory court appearance citations to the women for charges of assault.

Cibola NF -On 7/22, an LEO investigated the dumping of a large quantity of household items in FS trash bins at Coalmine CG on the Mt. Taylor RD. The investigation is continuing.

On 7/25, two LEOs testified at a 13th District Court Grand Jury hearing regarding a case involving possession of prescription drugs, heroin, and drug paraphernalia. The DA’s Office is pursuing numerous felony charges related to the case.

On 7/27, four LEOs conducted a patrol on the Sandia RD.The LEOs issued a total of 25 violation notices to individuals for being in possession of a controlled substance, failure to pay recreation fee, interfering with a forest officer, and traffic related offenses.

Coconino NF - On 7/25, an LEO responded to assist the Coconino County SD at a roll-over accident along an NFS roadon the Red Rock RD. A passenger in the vehicle was air lifted to a hospital.

On 7/26, an LEO on the Red Rock RD conducted a traffic stop on a pick-up truck with a woman riding in the bed of the truck. The male driver had a suspended license and refused to comply with the officer’s requests. After further investigation, the LEO placed the man under arrest for felony DUI and obtained a telephonic warrant for a forced blood draw. Additional charges are pending.

On 7/27, an LEO investigated a report of the illegal removal of rock (a forest product) near Leupp Road on the Flagstaff RD and located an area where several large rocks along with soil were recently removed by an individual with heavy equipment. The LEO located a tractor, dump truck, and a large pile of rock along with soil in the yard of a nearby residence. A man at the residence admitted to removing the forest products without authorization. The LEO issued a violation notice to him. The man agreed to return the rock and soil back to the site from which it had been removed.

On 7/30, an LEO on the Flagstaff RD responded to a report of a suspicious device comprised of a 23-inch piece of PVC pipe with protruding 18 screws. The reporting party found the device on the ground at the entrance of an NFS road north of Mormon Lake. Due to the fact the device was apparently placed by unknown individuals in a location where it might be stepped on or driven over, the reporting party moved it prior to notifying law enforcement authorities. The investigation is continuing.

Gila NF -On 7/21, an LEO responded to a report of damaged personal property at a campground on the Silver City RD. The LEO determined a large limb fell from a tree and damaged two private vehicles parked beneath it. No one was reportedly injured by the fallen limb. As a result of interviews with witnesses at the campground, the LEO issued a violation notice to an individual for no current proof of vehicle insurance.

On 7/22, an LEO responded to a report of a man residing on the Glenwood RD. The LEO located the man with a camping trailer near an NFS road and determined he was living at the dispersed campsite for several months. The officer issued violation notices to the man for residing on NFS lands, exceeding the stay limit, and no vehicle registration.

On 7/22, an LEO responded to a request for assistance from a local sheriff’s department due to recent flooding in the area. The LEO conducted patrols on the Quemado RD to assess flood damage and provide public safety services.

On 7/23-24, LEOs supported a BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) project by conducting a road block along a state highway leading to the project area. The BAER team is seeding and mulching lands damaged by a recent wildfire on the Black Range RD.

On 7/27, an LEO located a small fire on the Quemado RD. The LEO notified dispatch of the location and determined the fire was caused by lightning.

Kaibab NF - On 7/22, LEOs responded to a report of individuals residing on the Williams RD. The LEOs made contact with a man who admitted to staying in his RV at the site for approximately 30 days and issued a written warning to him. As the officers were leaving the site, they observed several plastic containers containing 10, approximately three-inch tall, marijuana plants. After further investigation, the LEOs determined the man was also in possession of an additional small amount of marijuana and two rifles. The man admitted he was a convicted felon. The LEOs seized the marijuana plants, the additional marijuana, and the rifles. The officers issued a mandatory court appearance violation notice to the man for being in possession of marijuana. The felon in possession of firearms case was referred to an SA for further prosecution.

On 7/28, an LEO and a Coconino County SD deputy responded to a report of individuals struck by lightning at the Le Fevre Overlook along Highway 89A on the North Kaibab RD. The lightning struck a four-foot wall on which a man and a woman, on their honeymoon from Thailand, and another individual were standing. The man and the woman were fatally injured. The third individual was transported to a hospital.

On 7/29, two LEOs contacted a woman at the Benham Trailhead on the Williams RD, determined she was residing on NFS lands, and proceeded to issue a written warning to her. The woman claimed to not being in possession of an ID and provided conflicting information regarding her identification. The LEOs determined the woman’s address of record was located in South Dakota. The officers issued mandatory court appearance violation notices to her for providing false information to federal officers and residing on NFS lands.

Lincoln NF -On 7/24, two individuals appeared in court for their initial appearance regarding charges of threatening and intimidating employees engaged in their official duties on the Sacramento RD. One of the individuals pleaded guilty to the charge while the second individual entered a plea of not guilty. The trial date for the second individual is pending.

On 7/26, LEOs and an Otero County SD deputy responded to a campground on the Sacramento RD where the host reported a group of individuals being overly loud after “quiet hours”. The individuals reportedly became belligerent when the host requested them to quiet down. After further investigation, the deputy placed one of the individuals under arrest for a warrant. The LEOs issued written warnings to the remaining individuals and directed them to vacate the campground.

On 7/26, an LEO located individuals in a vehicle stuck on a remote road on the Sacramento RD. All local tow companies in the area refused to respond to the remote site. The vehicle was later pulled out of the mud by an off-duty FS Engineer who happened to be traveling in the area.

Prescott NF - On 7/26, an LEO responded to an FPO’s report of a man residing on the Bradshaw RD. The man had been issued a violation notice for residing on NFS lands on a prior occasion. A warrant was issued for the man after he did not pay the collateral fine or appear in court to address the violation notice. The LEO located the man and placed him under arrest for the warrant. On 7/31, the man was found guilty of related charges and sentenced to serve one year unsupervised probation. The judge also banned him from the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott NFs for a period of one year. The man has a lengthy criminal history and served over 14 years in prison for the charge of arson of an occupied structure.

On 7/27, an LEO and the Yavapai County SD responded to a report of disorderly individuals near an NFS road on the Verde RD. A woman was reportedly fighting with a man who was armed with a machete and cut the wires in her vehicle. The SD located the man and took him into custody. After further investigation, the LEO determined the individuals were residing on NFS lands for an extended period of time. The LEO also found the woman was in possession of marijuana. The officers issued mandatory court appearance citations to the individuals for residing on NFS lands and engaging in fighting. The LEO also issued a mandatory court appearance violation notice to the woman for being in possession of marijuana. The deputy placed the man under arrest and transported him to the county jail. The LEO directed the woman to vacate the area.

Santa Fe NF -On 7/24, an LEO attended court proceedings in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque, NM regarding a man who was allegedly driving a vehicle and cutting wood in a wilderness area. The man was found guilty of related charges. He was sentenced to serve 1.5 years of probation and pay $5,000 restitution.

On 7/24, an LEO conducted a patrol on the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP). The LEO located a lean-to structure on adjacent Forest lands. The officer determined the structure was constructed without authorization and appeared to have been used for hunting activities. The LEO disassembled the structure and scattered the remains.

On 7/27, an LEO conducted a patrol on the Valles Caldera National Preserve during a free “story telling day” sponsored by VCNP staff. The LEOwas requested to assist the staff in locating individuals illegally hiking on La Juara Mountain. The officer hiked the area and located numerous individuals in violation of the Forest closure order. The LEO addressed the violations with the individuals and requested them to leave the closed area. An LEO also conducted a patrol along Borrego Mesa on the Espanola RD. The LEO addressed several incidents regarding sanitation related issues and damage to government property.

On 7/28, an LEO conducted a patrol along an NFS road on the Jemez RD. The LEO issued violation notices to several individuals for an unattended campfire and operating an ATV in a closed area.

Tonto NF -On 7/25, an LEO approached two women smoking marijuana at the Diversion Dam on the Tonto Basin RD. The LEO seized a marijuana cigarette from the women, determined they were in possession of additional marijuana/paraphernalia in their vehicle and issued violation notices to them.

On 7/25, an LEO observed a juvenile in possession of alcohol at the Diversion Dam on the Tonto Basin RD. The LEO issued a warning to the juvenile earlier that day for fishing without a license. The officer made contact with the young man and issued a violation notice to him for being in possession of alcohol while underage.

On 7/26, an LEO was contacted by a woman who was crying and walking through the Camp Creek Wash on the Cave Creek RD. The LEO observed contusions to the woman’s left eye, forehead, and legs. The woman alleged that her boyfriend left her at Needle Rock Beach after hitting her multiple times in the face, arms, and legs during a two-day camping trip. A local county deputy responded to the scene as well. The woman was transported by ambulance to a hospital. After further investigation, the LEO and deputy determined the boyfriend was no longer in the area. The investigation is continuing.

On 7/26, an LEO was requested to assist Gila County SD at the scene a burglary in progress in a community within the boundaries of the Payson RD. The homeowners discovered two men in the residence upon their return home but the suspects immediately fled the scene. The LEO and a deputy searched for the two men but were unable to locate them. After witnesses indicated the men fled towards a nearby school, it was immediately placed on lock-down. The deputy and the LEO made contact with a man matching the description of one of the suspects and placed him under arrest after a witness confirmed his identity. The man was in possession of a dog at the time of his arrest and requested the officers’ permission for his friend to pick up the dog before transport to jail. After the officers granted his request, the friend was contacted to pick up the dog. When the “friend” arrived on scene, he was positively identified as the second burglary suspect. The friend was placed under arrest as well. Both men were then transported to jail.

On 7/27, an LEO observed a man drinking from a can of beer while standing in Apache Lake on the Tonto Basin RD. The man then sank the empty can in the lake. The LEO issued a violation notice to him for littering.

On 7/27, an LEO conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with a passenger in possession of an open can of beer near the Diversion Dam on the Tonto Basin RD. The LEO observed multiple empty containers of alcohol on the vehicle’s floorboard as well. The officer issued a violation notice to the passenger for being in possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.

On 7/27, an LEO and a Maricopa County SD deputy responded to a report of a vehicle stuck in the Rio Verde River on the Cave Creek RD. The officers located the vehicle, found it to be unoccupied and determined it was reported as stolen from Phoenix, AZ. A tow company responded to recover the vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

On 7/28, an LEO and Maricopa County SD responded to a report of an individual who went missing while swimming at Lake Bartlett on the Cave Creek RD. The LEO assisted the SD in searching for the missing individual but he was not located. The SD conducted underwater/diving search operations but was also unable to locate the swimmer. A citizen operating a jet ski located the individual’s body approximately 20 meters from shore the following day.

REGION 6

Deschutes-Ochoco NFs -On 7/22, a fire started on BLM lands adjacent to a private subdivision near the Crescent RD.An LEO and an Oregon SP Trooper responded to assist the local fire department with evacuating citizens ahead of the rapidly moving wildfire. The LEO was involved in a motor vehicle accident while conducting evacuations. The officer was transported to a hospital. Another LEO developed information regarding the origin of the fire and conducted an interview with a transient individual who later admitted to leaving his campfire unattended. After further investigation by the LEO, an LEI Intern, and an FPO, the Klamath County SD placed the individual under arrest for charges of Arson One. The investigation is ongoing.

On 7/26, an LEO conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle weaving erratically along an NFS road on the Bend Ft. Rock RD. The LEO found the driver appeared to be intoxicated. After the driver failed field sobriety tests, a Deschutes County SD deputy placed him under arrest for DUI.

On 7/28, LEOs responded to a rapidly growing wildfire near Wickiup Lake on the Bend Ft. Rock RD.The LEOs assisted with evacuations of campers ahead of the rapidly moving fire. The officers also conducted an investigation and located the origin of the fire. The investigation is continuing.

On 7/28, an LEO and an LEI Intern developed information regarding the identity of individuals who allegedly vandalized FS gates and tunneled under a cave barricade on the Bend Ft. Rock RD.LEOs and the Intern later conducted interviews with the individuals who then admitted to the violations. The investigation is ongoing.

On 7/28, an LEO responded to a roll-over accident near Devil’s Lake on the Bend Ft. Rock RD.The LEO assisted in providing first aid to the injured occupants of the vehicle and conducting traffic control at the scene. The Oregon SP responded to take the lead in the investigation.

On 8/1, LEI personnel responded with Deschutes County SD to assist with the rescue of contract firefighters involved in a serious accident while working on a fire on the Sisters RD. One of the firefighters was fatally injured by a falling tree. An injured firefighter at the scene was transported to a hospital. An SA is assisting with the FLA (Facilitated Learning Analysis).

On 8/3, an LEO responded to a report of a fight between a man and a woman near a snow park on the Bend Ft. Rock RD.The man was initially uncooperative with the LEO and combative to the point where the officer directed him to a prone position. A Deschutes County SD deputy arrived on scene to assist. The officers determined the woman was intoxicated and allegedly the aggressor in the dispute. The deputy placed the woman under arrest for state charges.

~Hawk

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