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February 26, 2009
 Law Enforcement officers with the Georgia 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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