 Volume 17, Number 2 Summer 2003 Page 1 of 3 |
WINTER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE |
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Volume 17, Number 2 Summer 2003 Page 1 of 3 |
WINTER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE |
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Message From The President - Mark Webb As we start a new term of office for most of our Board Members and Regional Representatives, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected members and to thank all of the members who expressed their support by reelecting me for another two-year term as the President of the Federal Wildlife Officers Association.
A number of issues were discussed at the recent meetings at In-Service, as well as over cold ones at the barbecues. These issues should be of importance to all members and I will attempt to provide you with results of all the items discussed.
1. FWOA created a death benefit for the surviving family of any Special Agent (SA) who loses his/her life. FWOA will issue a check to the family immediately upon being notified of the death of the SA, in an amount equal to $25.00 for each active charter member in FWOA. The Secretary/Treasurer will then contact each Regional Representative and request payment from each Charter Member of the FWOA for reimbursement of the $25.00. For example, $25.00 from each member would mean that we could issue a check to the family for about $4,000.00. It could be much needed funds in a family's time of need.
2. FWOA addressed the need for each and every SA to recruit the best of the best for our agent ranks. Each of the new agents hired could be your partner in a takedown or contact and they could be your backup in a violent encounter. We all have an interest in developing the best pool of candidates that is available. It was discussed that all SAs need to attempt to recruit those individuals that they would want to work with throughout their careers. 3. FWOA is in need of developing a promotional packet/brochure to assist us in promoting FWOA to potential new members and potential sponsors of our programs. SA Suazo has been very successful in promoting FWOA to some major sponsors who have assisted us in our efforts to provide clothing items for the Ranger Relief Program. A colored glossy brochure would be a real asset in this effort. No one really stepped forward on this issue, so a committee will be developed to address this need. If you are willing to assist, please contact your Regional Rep.
4. A vote to increase dues to either $35.00 or $50.00 was held. It was decided by a majority of votes that the annual dues for FWOA Charter Members would increase from the current $25.00 to $35.00. The initial membership dues for Charter Members will stay the same at $100.00 and the dues for Associate Members and the newly created Retired Members category will remain at $25.00.
5. The use of electronic transfer of our quarterly newsletter was discussed and a committee of Mike Weaver and Bonnie Bell was created to look into this possibility. If any other members are interested in this issue, please contact Mike or Bonnie, as I am sure they would welcome assistance. I hope to provide an update from them prior to the next newsletter.
6. The members discussed an effort to reintroduce the commemorative firearm that was supplied a few years back. The Fish and Wildlife Service now has more than 100 new SAs and many may be interested in the Sig Sauer commemorative handgun. Also, we could look into a new commemorative rifle or shotgun. A committee headed by Dom Domenici is looking into this possibility. If you have any ideas or concerns or better yet, a desire to assist Dom, give him a call in Casper, WY.
7. Some interest was shown for FWOA to create an annual scholarship for a son or daughter of a FWS Special Agent. Members Lisa Nichols and Gary Jagodzinski are heading up a committee to make recommendations. Again, if you have concerns or ideas, contact one of them.
8. We were updated on issuance of credentials to Retired Special Agents and were told that the FWS Office of Law Enforcement has purchased the equipment to create the credentials, however, they are awaiting policy drafting on issuance of the credentials. It is hoped that the policy will be completed soon and the credentials issued soon thereafter. The board will continue to follow up on this issue.
9. The issue of overtime was discussed, but there was no resolution at the meetings. I have been advised that a draft policy on overtime has been written and will be discussed at the next SAC conference. It is hoped that this issue can be clarified for the benefit of the Service and all of the Special Agents. Due to the fact that SAs are now being required to assist with many different LE issues around the country, it is important that this issue be clarified out of the D.C. office to assure that every region operates the same and that every SA is properly compensated for the time he/she is required to work.
10. The status of field grade GS-13 positions within the Fish and Wildlife Service was discussed and is an area that is being reviewed by the D.C. office. For the most part, the requirements to obtain one of these positions are not clear. The board will continue our research in an effort to determine if FWS SAs qualify for field grade GS-13 positions.
11. It was voted on and approved to create a new class of membership for Retired Special Agents. This group will have a Regional Rep appointed by their members to represent them within FWOA. It was also decided to leave the dues structure at $25.00 for the retired members, and not increase it to match the active Charter Members. It is my goal to retain as many of our retired SAs as possible within FWOA. There is a great deal of knowledge among those members and we hope to retain them as our members. I am requesting that Jerry Smith contact as many of the retired members as possible and arrange to have a member appointed as the new Region 10 representative. The board looks forward to their input.
12. The possibility of having corporate sponsorships for our newsletter was discussed. Many wildlife officer associations are currently publishing magazines that are created by a publisher who obtains all of the sponsors and pays the association after taking out a percentage for overhead. This program is currently raising thousands of dollars for some associations. SA Doug Goessman is currently researching this issue and will be reporting on it in a future newsletter. If you have knowledge or experience of this type of promotion and/or would be willing to assist Doug, give him a call.
13. SA Chris Brong is exploring the possibility of having the Benchmade Knife Company create a knife for members of FWOA. It would have our badge engraved on the blade. SA Brong has been in contact with the company and is currently looking at some options. If you have any ideas or thoughts, give him a call. We hope to give you an update and maybe a photo of the knife in the next newsletter.
14. I currently know of four members who will be traveling to St. John's Newfoundland to attend this year's North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association Conference. FWOA will again be sponsoring the 5K Torch Run/Walk and the barbecue afterward. SA Tim Santel has been busy preparing the 300 T-shirts that we ordered this year and getting them shipped off to St. John's. It will be a busy week for all four members as they conduct the run/walk, prepare the barbecue (where we will be assisted by the Newfoundland/Labrador Conservation Officers Association), and operating our FWOA booth. I am sure that it will be a busy, but rewarding week. I will provide an update on the event in the next newsletter. It is looking promising that we will surpass the $4,500.00 that we raised last year for the game warden museum.
As you can see, YOUR association and its members are working very hard for your benefit. I encourage all of you to take the time and make the effort to step forward and do your part to assist your association and your fellow members. I hope that each of you have an enjoyable summer.
Mark Webb, President National and Regional Elections Results. Congratulations to the new FWOA Board!! President Mark Webb
Centennial Painting To NCTC The original painting of the FWOA Centennial Print has been transferred to SA Weaver in West Virginia for presentation to the National Conservation Training Center for display. The actual presentation will occur shortly after the deadline for this newsletter and will be reported on in the Fall newsletter. Association Store News
Just a reminder that smaller items such as coffee and travel mugs, patches, hats, badge tie tacks, pens, money clips, and T-shirts are available directly from the store by contacting Mike Weaver.
Larger items such as jackets, golf shirts, and camo shirts with the badge or association logo are available online from Mountain Top Marketing via the Store link.
Brian Petrar Wins Float Trip With SAs Branzell And Goessman
Brian Petrar, a law enforcement officer with the Canadian Wildlife Service won the fishing trip at the 2002 NAWEOA convention in Columbus, Indiana, in a raffle sponsored by the Federal Wildlife Officers Association. All proceeds from the raffle were later sent to the widow of Kenya Wildlife Service Officer, Adan Dullo. Adan was tragically killed in a vehicle accident in Kenya when he and another officer were returning from an investigation. Adan was also the Director for the Lusaka Agreement Task Force and had worked with, and was a good friend of, SA Gary Mowad, SA Ed Grace, SA Benito Perez, SA Carl Mainen, and SA Doug Goessman.
On May 17 and 18, 2003, Special Agents Rick Branzell and Doug Goessman treated Brian Petrar and his son Jarett to a two-day float/fishing trip on the Missouri River, north of Helena, Montana. Brian and Jarett were treated to a guided tour of some of the prettiest country and best wild trout fishing in the U.S. Brian and Jarett were also introduced to the Montana trout fisherman's shore lunch. The two feasted on rare roast beef, onion, tomato, and hot pepper cheese sandwiches with hot mustard.
The weather was perfect for the first day of fishing, but as it usually happens in Montana in May, the temperature dropped to about 32 degrees F. on day two of the trip with a lot of wind and snow. Neither Brian nor Jarett seemed to mind the weather, since this was the first time either had fished for rainbow and brown trout in a river. And, as you can tell by the photo, Jarett and his guide SA Rick Branzell, took no time in landing some really nice rainbows.
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Message From the Secretary/Treasurer - Bill Anderson Greetings from the Keystone State! I would like to thank you all for your support in electing me as Secretary/Treasurer and I appreciate the challenge ahead. I have some pretty big shoes to fill and again would like to thank outgoing Secretary/Treasurer Jim Gale for his dedication to the position over the last four years. For the next few weeks, there will be a period of transition for records, bank accounts, bookkeeping, etc., from Jim to me so please bear with us. The new address for the Secretary/Treasurer can be found at the end of this article. Both the old and new addresses will be in service for the time being, but please make note of the new one.
First off, I would like to continue Jim's goal of having a personal e-mail address for each and every member. In this day and age things are moving faster and the board would like to be able to keep you in the loop before today's news is old news. Secondly, I am going to make a push to get each SA to join the FWOA.
We have had the good fortune of having excellent leadership of our organization and the last elections continue that trend from Regional Reps right up to the President. However, the Association is only as strong as the members. Let your board know what direction you think we should be heading, and what you want the FWOA to stand for and be as an Association. Lastly, but most importantly, we need each and every member to get involved, whether it is helping at NAWEOA, selling items at state fish and game gatherings, contacting legislators on issues important to the FWOA membership, or ideas and ways to implement them to make the Association better. Think!! SAs have never been short of ideas!
Again, thanks for your confidence in me. We are the future and the future is now!
New Address: FWOA Secretary/Treasurer P.O. Box 646
Bill Anderson,
CHRIS BRONG, REGIONAL REP
No articles received from this region. GARY YOUNG, REGIONAL REP
I would like to first thank all the Agents in Region 2 who took the time to attend the FWOA meeting at In-Service this year and I appreciate the nomination and selection to be the Region 2 representative. I hope all the Agents in the Region will provide interesting articles and information for the newsletter. Please feel free to forward any newsworthy info to me at anytime. I will not be sending out reminders about deadlines for newsletter articles. I would prefer articles for the newsletter be forwarded to me on an ongoing basis. I will compile articles as they are received and submit them on a timely fashion for the newsletter. Thanks again, and I look forward to being the Region 2 FWOA representative for the next two years. Comings, Goings, and New Arrivals in Region 2 • All of Region would like to extend a warm welcome to Julie Scully as the new Region 2 ASAC. Julie is currently the Resident Agent in Charge in Baltimore, MD and has served in numerous duty stations throughout the country as both a Wildlife Inspector and Special agent. Julie plans to arrive in Region 2 in September 2003.
• Congratulations are due to Gary Mowad. Gary was selected as the new SAC for Region 6. We appreciate all the hard work Gary did on behalf of Region 2 during his time in Albuquerque and wish him the best in Denver. • Welcome back to SA Tom Tidwell, Tulsa, OK. Tom was called to active duty for several months and has now returned to Oklahoma.
• SA Kelly Holland (San Antonio) and his wife, Shannon, are pleased to announce the birth of their first child. Garrett Holland was born on July 3, 2003, in San Antonio, TX. They are now the proud parents of a native Texan.
New Mexico Assistant Director Retires RAC McKay, SA Stover, and former SAC Frank Shoemaker attended a retirement dinner for New Mexico Assistant Director Glen Case. Glen worked closely with the Service on enforcement issues throughout his 29-year career, and was presented with an Honorary Special Agent Badge Plaque in appreciation for his commitment to the resource. Agents Participate in School Presentations During the month of March 2003, San Antonio based Agents Kelly Holland, Walt Kocal, and Gary Young presented programs to several different schools ranging from elementary grade to high school. Agents presented programs on the duties of Special Agents, threatened and endangered species, and careers with the Service. In total, Agents were able to address more than 400 school children.
McAllen Agent Provides Assistance to Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens McAllen based SA Alejando Rodriguez has had a busy Spring on the Texas border. Recently, SA Rodriguez assisted Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens with the capture of three Mexican vessels who were illegally gill netting in U.S. waters in Falcon Lake, Starr County, TX on the Texas/Mexico border. Four occupants escaped back into Mexico, but two were captured along with the three vessels, thousands of feet of monofilament gill net, and 100 lbs. of marijuana. The ongoing illegal gill netting is a major problem on Falcon Lake as it has a tremendous impact on the fishery. Regular patrols are conducted and it is not uncommon to seize drugs during these patrols.
Corpus Christi Agent Provides Assistance to National Park Service Rangers In December 2003, Corpus Christi based SA Tom Mason, while patrolling for migratory bird treaty act violations on the King Ranch, received a request for assistance from National Park Service Rangers at Padre Island National Seashore. SA Mason arrived to find a subject who had attempted to assault two fishermen, was believed drunk, and was holed up in his mobile home. SA Mason assisted two NPS Rangers and a U.S. Customs Agent in contacting the subject. After several requests, the subject came to the door, appeared to be drunk, and after a short conversation where the officers identified themselves, the subject attempted to assault the Customs Agent. The subject was arrested and transported to Nueces County jail by SA Mason and a U.S. Customs Agent. Pole Trap Investigation In December 2002, a Special Agent from San Antonio assisted Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens with a complaint about a pole trap. Contact was made with the residents where the trap was located. The Agent, along with assistance from a Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden, retrieved the trap and removed on great horned owl (the owl was removed from the trap by none other than Colonel Jim Stinebaugh, retired SRA/San Antonio, currently Director of Law Enforcement in Texas). The injured owl was transported to a rehabilitator but due to the extent of injuries, had to be euthanized. A violation notice in the amount of $400.00 was issued to the individual responsible for placing the trap on the pole.
Bear Bile Shipment Investigation In December 2002, a San Antonio Special Agent coordinated with the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding prosecution of two individuals who imported 30 vials of bear bile from China. The vials were concealed in cigarette packages and labels as "smooks." The investigation began when the bear bile was seized in August 2002 by U.S. Customs in California. The bear bile was turned over to the Service, after which Special Agents in San Antonio, TX coordinated and executed a controlled delivery and search warrant at the place of business where the bile was being sent. After review of evidence obtained during the search warrant, and in consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Antonio, the investigation was resolved with the issuance of a violation notice and abandonment of the seized bear bile crystals valued at $15,000.00.
Llano County Dove Baiting Investigation In February 2003, a Special Agent from Austin completed an investigation which began in September 2002. The case involved the illegal hunting of dove over fields and roads that had been heavily baited with milo. Two Service Special Agents assisted Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens with the initial take down of the dove field, collection of evidence, and the subsequent interviews of landowners and hunters. As a result of the investigation, 39 individuals were cited in State Court by Texas Game Wardens resulting in more than $19,000.00 in fines being paid. Agents and Wardens seized 328 mourning doves which resulted in payment of more than $5,000.00 in wildlife restitution to the State of Texas.
Boot Smugglers Fined In April 2003, a Special Agent in the San Antonio, TX office concluded an investigation into the illegal importation of 31 pairs of cowboy boots from Mexico into the U.S. The investigation uncovered a conspiracy on the part of several individuals, including brokers and boot dealers, to systematically smuggle boots into the U.S. for resale at a boot store in Atlanta, GA. As a result of the investigation, more than $15,000.00 worth of cowboy boots, made from ostrich, caiman, python, and cobra skins were abandoned to the Service.
Operation Man Eater In April 2003, a San Antonio based Special Agent closed an investigation which involved the illegal import of shark parts into the U.S. from Australia. The investigation was initiated by the Special Agent in McAllen (Thomas Karabanoff, now the RAC in AQ). Due to extenuating circumstances of the defendant (mainly poor health), the investigation was resolved with forfeiture of collateral in the amount of $550.00 and the abandonment of more than $20,000.00 worth of shark parts to the Service
ARIZONA SUB-DISTRICT ACTIVITIES Submitted by RAC McKenna
San Carlos Apache Reservation Trophy Elk Case During this reporting period, a Service Agent initiated an investigation into the illegal take of a trophy bull elk from the San Carlos Apache Reservation, San Carlos, AZ. After meeting with a confidential informant, a Service Agent and a Wildlife Investigator from Arizona Game and Fish Department were shown a video tape of the trophy bull elk being taken illegally on the reservation. A subject, who is a 35-year old man of Lakeside, AZ, was located and interviewed regarding the incident. At the same time a federal search warrant was executed on an out building on the subjects' property, and Service Agents seized five sets of trophy bull elk antlers. An interview with the subject resulted in the confession of the unlawful killing of five trophy bull elk between the years of 1999 and 2001. Four of the trophy bull elk were taken from the San Carlos Apache Reservation and one of the elk trophies had been taken from National Forest lands in Arizona.
The man was charged with violations of the Lacey Act, predicated from tribal law, in the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona in Phoenix, AZ. In March 2003, the defendant pled guilty in Federal Court to the charges. Later this Spring, the defendant was sentenced to five years probation, three years loss of hunting privileges nationwide, restitution to the San Carlos Apache Reservation in the amount of $17,000.00, loss of the rifle used in the incident (.300 Winchester Magnum), and eight weekends in jail. The defendant did not procure or possess any valid permits for the taking of these trophy elk. A trophy bull elk permit from the San Carlos Apache Reservation costs $25,000.00. The San Carlos Apache Reservation is well known for producing some of the biggest bull elk trophies in the world. This investigation documented that the largest trophy bull elk the defendant took measured 420 in the Boone and Crockett Club. The other trophy bull elk scores ranged from 350 to 380, according to the Boone and Crockett Club. The world record elk, with a 442 score, was taken in Arizona 40 years ago.
This case, including sentencing, was reported in the news with a story in the Arizona Republic. The defendant was quoted, "If you're not going to do it legal, then don't do it at all...it's been a rough go for me and my family." Working with Local Power Companies to Prevent Bird Mortalities Special Agents met with Arizona Public Service (APS) and Liberty Wildlife personnel to discuss the Migratory Bird Treaty Act related issues with power utility companies. APS presented their proposed Wildlife Protection Program that they developed to show their commitments to wildlife protection, while still ensuring reliable electric service. The program will focus on identification of utility poles and substations within sensitive habitats that require retrofitting, developing new designs and standards for construction that will provide for wildlife protection, providing ongoing training for employees, implementing a computerized in-field reporting system, and continuing to evaluate new devices and technologies for wildlife protection.
Outfitter Pays Restitution to Arizona Operation Game Thief A professional outfitter from Mexico was ordered by the U.S. District Court in Tucson, AZ (through the U.S. Attorney's Office), to pay $5,000.00 restitution to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Operation Game Thief. The defendant was charged with violations of the Lacey Act. The defendant owns and operates an outfitter business that specializes in Desert bighorn sheep and Coues deer hunts in Mexico. He illegally imported trophy Coues deer antlers and bighorn sheep trophies through the Port of Entry in Nogales, AZ. The trophy deer antlers were forfeited to the government.
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