Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Office of Law Enforcement

Activities During February 2003

Region I

A CPO investigated two separate cases of suspected Chronic Wasting Disease. One case

was in northern Boone County which resulted in a positive test result from the Department of Agriculture. The second case occurred in western Stephenson County where the test results were negative.

A CPO was called to investigate the illegal burning of a field located in Rock Cut State Park. A witness reported seeing two unknown male juveniles fleeing the field near the origin of the fire. A total of ten acres was burned before the Loves Park Fire Department extinguished the blaze. Footprints were found along a frozen creek bed leading from the field to a subdivision. The CPO obtained additional witness information, interviewed several juveniles who live in the area, and with their assistance was able to locate the two juvenile suspects. Felony charges are pending.

A CPO was on patrol in Lee County when he observed a vehicle that appeared to be unoccupied parked in a field entrance. He pulled in behind the vehicle, ran a check on the Michigan license and found that the vehicle was stolen. The CPO then approached the vehicle and discovered that it was occupied by a person who was sleeping. The subject was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.

A CPO arrested a subject who confessed to hunter harassment and theft of a game finder

trail camera. The 16-year old admitted to placing a threatening note on a deer stand during the shotgun season. The subject also confessed to stealing a game trail camera after the subject saw the flash go off. The subject destroyed the film and camera because he had been trespassing and hunting without permission and was afraid he would be arrested for that. Charges are pending involving both incidents.

A CPO issued several citations for operating snowmobiles on the roadway, and for having expired registration.

A CPO assisted East Galesburg Police on a trespassing complaint. The CPO located the subject by following his footprints in the snow. The subject was taken into custody on an armed and dangerous warrant.

A CPO wrote several citations for fishing without a license and fishing in a restricted area.

A CPO received a complaint at Anderson Lake FWA of a truck that was stuck on the beach. A 16-year old area resident had been off-roading in his pick-up truck when it got stuck on the beach. The subject had to be towed from the beach and was cited for operating off of the roadway.

A District Sergeant and two CPOs located a 12-foot python in DeKalb. The owner was arrested for possession of a dangerous animal and obstructing a police officer.

A CPO issued several citations to snowmobilers operating unlawfully on the Hennepin Canal while the trail was closed due to lack of snow.

A CPO investigated a report of a four wheeler going through the ice on the Mississippi River near East Dubuque. An ice fisherman had gone through thin ice in the area with heavy current where the ice is usually unsafe. Both the operator and machine had gone underwater but the operator was able to make it to the surface and swim to shore. The mishap occurred on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service property. The subject was cited for pollution and was advised to have a salvage company remove the ATV.

A CPO stopped an off road motorcycle for operating on the roadway. A license check revealed that the subject was wanted on a Lee County warrant. Appropriate citations were issued.

Region II

On February 20, Officers responded to a hazardous chemical spill in Antioch. The spill originated from the Village of Antioch water treatment plant. Illinois EPA and local authorities coordinated the clean-up process. Several fish were killed as a result of the spill, although local drinking water was not affected.

During a taxidermy inspection, a CPO took note of an entry in the taxidermist’s log book of a deer taken in Michigan. He was able to determine that an Illinois resident had used a Michigan resident tag. The CPO contacted Michigan DNR with the case information and at this time, they have located 13 resident tags or licenses issued to this hunter. Charges are pending.

On February 9, a CPO approached two ice fisherman on Wooster Lake after sunset. They had placed ten fishing devices through the ice and possessed two undersized northern pike. The CPO also arrested a subject for an undersized northern pike on Wooster Lake this month.

On February 2, a Lake Villa resident was operating his snowmobile at 65-85 mph on Cedar Lake when he encountered a mass of ice that he couldn’t avoid. The snowmobile went airborne for 200' before landing. The operator sustained a broken jaw and back injuries. The accident was investigated by a CPO who is awaiting toxicology reports before concluding that alcohol was a factor in the accident.

On February 15, a CPO investigated another snowmobile accident where an operator was injured. One operator tried to pass a friend on another snowmobile and failed to see a tunnel ahead. The victim hit a log in the channel and went airborne about 40' and hit a wall on the side of the tunnel, injuring both knees.

On February 16, a CPO was investigating another possible snowmobile accident, when he came across an ATV operator who said he had been coyote hunting on Grass Lake, which is DNR property on the Chain O’ Lakes. The subject was in possession of slugs and claimed he did not know he couldn’t hunt after sunset when fox season was closed.

A District Sergeant and a CPO recovered two stolen snowmobiles. Three suspects have been identified and the officers are working with local agencies regarding potential charges.

Three subjects were arrested for illegal transportation of alcohol and four subjects for drug possession while checking ice fishermen in Kankakee County.

A CPO arrested one subject wanted on a warrant while conducting a snowmobile inspection.

CPOs arrested an individual for driving while suspended in Des Plaines Conservation Area and also learned the subject was wanted on a failure to appear warrant.

A subject arrested for DUI was found guilty and fined $1,484. He was also sentenced to 20 days in jail, 340 hours public service, eight months probation, and ordered not to consume alcohol.

A subject arrested for DUI, was fined $965, given conditional discharge and ordered to attend DUI school.

On February 22, a CPO gave a presentation at the Godley Park District outdoor show regarding the duties of a CPO, conservation law, and water safety.

On February 25, a CPO gave a presentation to a Gardner South Wilmington High School sociology class about the duties of a CPO and outdoor safety.

CPOs and a District Sergeant worked the boat show at Bedford Sales in Morris.

CPOs and a District Sergeant worked the sports show at Godley Park District.

A District Sergeant and CPOs made a presentation to Kankakee River Conservancy District Officers in preparation for the upcoming boating season. The presentation covered boat safety enforcement, operation violations, DUI enforcement and boat accident documentation and information gathering. Conservation Police Officers also attended the class.

A District Sergeant and CPOs also taught a basic boating enforcement course to police officers from the Kankakee City and Momence Police Department.

CPOs gave a United with Kids presentation to four 3^rd grade classes at Chebanse Elementary School.

A CPO spoke to a group of 16 cub scouts in Joliet about CPO job duties and conservation regulations.

A CPO spoke to an annual deer and turkey hunters meeting at the Joliet training area about new laws, and answered questions about hunting and fishing regulations.

A CPO gave a timber enforcement update presentation to Region II officers.

Region III

A CPO responded to a complaint of a man trespassing in a dedicated nature preserve in Vermilion County after a report was received by the caretaker of the property. He found the trespasser hiding along the railroad right of way. The CPO interviewed the subject who admitted that he had been hunting sheds in the nature preserve even though he knew that he was not allowed to be there. The subject was arrested for criminal trespass to property and entering a dedicated nature preserve.

A CPO was asked to assist the Shelby County Sheriff’s office in the serving of an arrest warrant. He was positioned outside to the rear of the residence as the deputies searched the inside of the residence for the wanted subject. The deputies were unable to locate the wanted subject and advised the CPO to search the out buildings. During the search he found in plain view evidence of an active methamphetamine lab. The CPO and the other deputy secured the scene while a search warrant was obtained. In the meantime, the subject returned home and was placed under arrest. Once the search warrant was obtained, the building was searched and methamphetamine was found. The case was turned over to the drug task force.

While working near Lake Vermilion in Danville, a CPO observed a group of individuals get out of their truck and spray paint a garbage can in the park. CPOs approached the group and found them to be in possession of alcohol, cannabis and one of the subjects was wanted on a warrant out of Knox County.

An Athens man pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and fishing without a license. A CPO caught the subject fishing below the Wolf Creek campground on Lake Shelbyville. The subject paid $1,031 in fines and costs for the paraphernalia charge, and $75 for fishing without a license.

A Macon County man, who was arrested for operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, pled guilty in DeWitt County court. The subject was ordered to pay $1,800 in fines and costs and placed on 12 months probation.

A Vermilion County man, who was arrested for unlawfully taking a whitetail deer with a rifle and during the closed season, pled guilty and paid $670 in fines and costs. His Winchester Model 70 rifle was forfeited to the Department.

A Macon County man pled guilty to DUI and possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis.

A CPO arrested the subject and his passenger at the entrance to Wolf Creek State Park campground. The driver paid $1,951 in fines and costs and was placed on two years reporting probation. His passenger paid $664 in fines and costs and received supervision.

A Douglas County subject arrested earlier in the year for shining, pled guilty and paid $500 in fines and costs.

District 11 Officers arrested six subjects on a house boat in Party Cove at Lake Shelbyville this past summer. The six subjects were charged with: unlawful possession/consumption of alcohol, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful gift of alcohol to minors. The six subjects pled guilty to their respective charges and paid a total of almost $3,900 in fines.

A subject arrested for OUI on Lake Shelbyville, was found guilty and fined $1,250, received 12 months of probation and sentenced to 90 days in jail. The judge added an additional $3,309 fine to his total for not coming to court at the set time.

A Granite City man, arrested for DUI in Eagle Creek State Park pled guilty to the charge and paid $1,597 in fines and costs.

A subject arrested for DUI at the Wolf Creek boat ramp pled guilty and was fined $1,266.

A Neoga man arrested at Wolf Creek State Park pled guilty to DUI and paid $1,700 in fines.

A Cook County subject arrested for OUI on Lake Shelbyville pled guilty and was fined $1,012 and placed on 18 months supervision.

A CPO gave a presentation to 30 students at the Outdoor Recreation/Science Club in Watseka.

A CPO gave a presentation to 30 boy scouts in Iroquois County.

District 8 Officers worked the Deer and Turkey Classic in Bloomington.

A CPO gave a presentation to 238 students at Unity High School.

A CPO gave a presentation to 30 people at the Marshall Rotary Club.

A CPO gave a law enforcement and fishing presentation to the Greenup Boy Scouts.

District 11 CPOs attended the Lakeland College Career Day in Mattoon. The event was attended by 300 students.

Region IV

On February 1, a Brown County coyote hunter was arrested for possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card. The subject had several previous felony convictions.

On February 2, CPOs arrested two Nebo ATV riders for possession of cannabis. The officers first observed the ATVs being operated in a creek bed and on a railroad right of way illegally.

On February 2, a CPO encountered two fishermen on Baldwin Lake after closing hours. One of the subjects was wanted on an arrest warrant from Macoupin County.

On February 2, CPOs arrested a Quincy subject for a probation violation. The man was released from jail to go to his job. However, he and his companions went walleye fishing instead. Missouri officers arrested the companions for fishing violations.

On February 3, a CPO learned of a deer that had been killed illegally during handgun season in Pike County. Witnesses had observed two subjects shoot a deer from their vehicle. The Officer was able to obtain confessions and seize the gun used.

On February 3, a CPO observed a subject acting suspiciously and enter a business in Jacksonville that had a closed sign on its door. He called the Jacksonville Police Department for help. It turned out that the person had entered the business legitimately but he was wanted on an arrest warrant for a probation violation.

On February 4, while checking fishermen on Sangchris Lake, a CPO arrested a Springfield man wanted on a Sangamon County warrant. The Officer arrested a second subject at the site on February 13 who was wanted on a warrant from Macoupin County.

On February 21, while following up on a complaint from the previous deer season, a CPO cited a Michigan man who had obtained a resident, Illinois deer permit illegally.

On February 21, a CPO cited a Carlyle man for illegally snagging catfish below the spillway on Carlyle Lake.

Region V

A CPO cited an Effingham man for failure to pay 4% harvest fees for timber purchased. In addition, the DNR is seeking $513.51 for harvest fees and penalties. The CPO also arrested a Mulberry Grove man on two counts of purchasing timber without a valid license and three counts of failure to pay 4% harvest fees. Several hundred dollars in restitution and penalties are also being sought.

A CPO arrested a Vandalia man for shooting snow geese from his pickup truck. The subject was initially detained by the ISP until a CPO was notified of the offenses. Additional wildlife offenses were noted and a total of nineteen snow geese were seized as evidence.

A CPO stopped a vehicle leaving Stephen A Forbes State Park with a load of firewood that two subjects had stolen from the camping area. Upon inquiry, the Officer found that the passenger was wanted on two separate arrest warrants from two adjacent counties. The driver was cited for theft of firewood and the passenger was taken into custody and retained at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

A CPO responded to a deer complaint in Pope County. When he arrived at the suspect’s residence, he found the man, clad only in his boots and long underwear, attempting to hide a freshly killed deer in the woods behind his trailer. The subject was in the process of butchering the deer when the neighbor called to tell him a Conservation Officer was driving down the road toward his residence. The man was charged with possession of a freshly killed deer out of season and further investigatory interviews are forthcoming to identify accomplices.

A CPO assisted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control at a house fire that was believed to be started as a result of manufacturing methamphetamine. No injuries were reported.

CPOs assisted in the recovery of a stolen vehicle from the Wabash River in Wabash County.

A Belleville man who was cited earlier in the year for OUI on Kinkaid Lake, paid fines and costs totaling $865. Another subject from Murphysboro also paid $865 for the same offense.

A Murphysboro man paid fines and costs totaling $620 for unlawful hunting of rabbits with a crossbow. The crossbow and arrows were forfeited to the DNR.

A Granite City man pled guilty to a felony DUI after being arrested in Fayette County. Fines, costs and probation fees totaled $2,628.

CPOs attended four boat and hunter safety classes in Region V in February.

Region V CPOs conducted 30 United With Kids Programs in February.

A CPO attended a Homeland Security Seminar in Washington DC, as a representative to the Franklin County 911 Board. He will share new ideas and preventative measures to the DNR.

A District Sergeant renewed his re-certification for breath analysis operator from ISP personnel at the Carterville Training Facility.

Lake Michigan Enforcement Unit

On February 8, at 9:45pm, CPOs and an IDNR Intern, were working a DUI/OUI detail at North Point Marina. One CPO noticed a black Ford Ranger fail to stop at a stop sign or signal. This vehicle then began speeding down the main road at a speed greater than the posted 25mph speed limit. After the stop was made, the CPO smelled the distinct odor of burning cannabis coming from inside the vehicle. The driver's eyes were glassy and his actions were slow. The driver readily admitted that he had been smoking cannabis in the vehicle and gave both officers permission to search its interior. Several hand-rolled cannabis cigarettes were found in the ash tray. After field sobriety testing, the driver was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs/cannabis. The vehicle was towed. An assisting Winthrop Harbor Police canine unit discovered no other drugs in the vehicle.

On February 12, a CPO was checking ice fishermen on Belmont Harbor. When he opened the zipper of one ice shanty he was struck by an overwhelming odor of cannabis coming from the inside. When he asked the subject if he had any cannabis on him or in the shanty anywhere, he stated that he did not. A subsequent search of him and the items in the shanty produced cannabis on his person and in a coat in the shanty totaling 3.2 grams. Also, found on his person was 1.3 grams of cocaine in powder form. The subject continuously begged for the Officer to let him go because he had to go pick up his kids from school and his wife would divorce him if she found out. Felony and misdemeanor drug charges where filed.

On February 8 and 9, CPOs attended the Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoors Show.

On February 19, a CPO and a retired District Sergeant attended a career day at the Chicago Christian High School.

On February 25, a CPO investigated a homemade boat application in the city of Chicago. It appears that the owner had bought the small 10ft boat from a friend who had lost the title. On bad advise, the new owner entered "homemade"on his application. The Officer seized the newly issued certificate and stickers and advised the subject to re-apply. No charges were filed.

On February 25, a CPO investigated an abandoned boat in the city of Chicago. The

complainant/property owner told the Officer that the owner of the 15ft boat defaulted on rent money owed to the complainant and never returned to collect the boat. The Chicago Police were contacted and arrangements were made to tow the boat. Because of the owner's transient nature, contact with this owner was difficult. Contact was finally made with the owner with the help of the Chicago Police Marine Unit. The owner admitted to being in arrears to the property owner and agreed to leave his title to the boat in the property owner's possession until complete repayment has been made.

While running stationary radar at North Point Marina on February 26, a CPO and an IDNR Intern observed a blue Chevy pick up truck speeding 40mph in a posted 25mph zone. The Officer noticed that the female driver was wearing no seat belt. After the traffic stop, further investigation revealed that the driver had no vehicle insurance in her possession. The driver was cited for several vehicle code violations, including no insurance.

Division of Investigations

DOI Staff completed background investigations of the recruit class applicants.

DOI Staff and Region III Field Operations personnel made follow-up contacts of additional suspects involved with a Jasper County meat processor. A Mattoon man was charged with unlawful possession of deer from his activities at the facility.

DOI Staff completed a pollution investigation in Shelby County and the report has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for charging. The case involved the intentional discharge of hog waste into a tributary stream of the Little Wabash River.

DOI staff received information from Missouri Conservation Agents of a pending plea agreement by a defendant involved in “Operation Buddy”. The subject was planning to plead guilty to eight Missouri charges and was being fined $3,500. This will result in a lengthier revocation of his hunting privileges by the Missouri Conservation Commission.

DOI Staff and other emergency response personnel responded to a chemical spill at the Antioch Waste Water Treatment Plant. During a loading/storage process, 2,200 to 2,600 gallons of ferric chloride was spilled into a storm drain that emptied into the plant’s treatment system. Unaware of the amount of chemical spilled; the plant continued to operate for an additional 12 to 16 hours and dumped the contaminated water into a creek that handles the outflow of the plant. This creek feeds into Lake Marie of the Chain O’ Lakes. Emergency responders were able to block the flow of the creek, but because of the current ice conditions it is uncertain how much damage to the ecosystem was done.

DOI Investigators, a CPO, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agents, and a North Carolina Wildlife Officer are investigating some North Carolina and Illinois residents for taking several deer illegally in Illinois.

An Investigator was named “Officer of the Year” by the United Bow Hunters of Illinois for 2002. He was honored at their annual dinner meeting this month.

Training

LEADS Re-certification: this less that full access re-certification computer based training course was taken on February 19, 2003; and attended by one Officer.

HAZ-MAT - Bloodborne Path. Refresher: an annual refresher course held at the Jerseyville City Hall on February 6, 2003; sponsored by the West Central Justice System; instructed by Jim Pitchford; and attended by one Sergeant and seven Officers.

Sharpening the Warrior’s Edge: an 8-hour course of instruction; held on February 21, 2003 at the East Central Law Enforcement Training Center; and attended by one Lieutenant and one Officer.

Field Training Officer: held on February 10-14, 2003 at the Central Illinois Police Training Center; attended by two Officers.

Police Supervision: a 40-hour course held on February 3-7, 2003 in Collinsville; sponsored by the Institute of Police Technology and Management; attended by one District Sergeant.

Defense Tactics: sponsored by IDNR - Office of Law Enforcement this scheduled four-hour block of instruction covered: Ground Fighting, Weapons Retention and Disarming.

Region II - District #3: held on February 11, 2003 at the Joliet Training Area; instructed by one District Sergeant and one Officer; and attended by one District Sergeant and eight Officers.

Region III - District #8: held on February 19, 2003 at Lake of the Woods; instructed by one Lieutenant and three Officers; and attended by a District Sergeant and six Officers.

Region III - District #11: held on February 24, 2003 at Eagle Creek State Park Lodge; instructed by one Lieutenant and three Officers; and attended by one District Sergeant and six Officers.

Region Lake Michigan: held on February 13 and 25, 2003 at 2950 W. 25^th Street, Chicago; instructed by one Officer; and attended by two District Sergeants and seven Officers and one Intern.