DNR Announces 2009 State Investigative Ranger of the Year

Law Enforcement officers with the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division face a wide variety of natural resource-related criminal activity. Often times, lengthy criminal investigations ensue which require diligence and dedication on behalf of the officers. One outstanding and dedicated ranger, Cpl. Scott Carroll of Albany, was recently recognized by the division as the 2009 State Investigative Ranger of the Year for his work in an extensive poaching investigation last year.

"Cpl .Carroll did an exceptional job with all aspects of this complex investigation, including working closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” says Wildlife Resources Division Chief of Law Enforcement Col. Terry West. “Thanks to Carroll’s unrelenting efforts, the division was able to bring a habitual poacher to justice.”

Carroll’s 10-week investigation began with a tip from a fellow Law Enforcement officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The tip led to an investigation involving three Florida residents accused of illegally taking four bucks in Lee County during the 2007-2008 deer firearms hunting season.

The primary suspect in the investigation, a Gulf coast charter boat captain, was a habitual game and fish violator in Florida and since 1993 had been tied to a total of 25 cases involving hunting, fishing and boating violations as well as several drug offenses.

During the nearly 3-month long investigation, Carroll worked closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers and Lee County in an effort to convict the suspects. As a result of Carroll’s commitment to the case and excellent documentation of evidence, the violators were advised by their attorney to enter a guilty plea, resulting in 12 hunting violation convictions, a total of $5,000 in fines and a year of suspended hunting privileges.

Cpl. Carroll was nominated for the award by Albany Law Enforcement region supervisor Capt. Jeff Swift and accepted the award from James Lakeman, four-time former president of the Georgia Chapter of the Safari Club International and current member of the Turn In Poachers Board.

Additional Wildlife Resources Division officers nominated for the award by their supervisors for their outstanding investigative work in 2008 include: Cpl. Nathaniel Jones of Calhoun, Cpl. Jason Roberson of Gainesville, Cpl. Brian Hobbins of Thomson, Cpl. Johnny Ashe of Metter and Ranger 1st Class Randy Aspinwall of Brunswick.

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