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Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Anne Arundel County On Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged two individuals with hunting waterfowl with bait on Back Creek near Glen Burnie.
NRP charged Bruce R. Ratcliff, 44, of Severna Park and Vernon M. Vermillion Jr., 43, of Arnold with hunting waterfowl with the aid of bait and hunting within a safety zone after observing the two men along with two juveniles hunting along the shoreline of Back Creek. Officers also seized as evidence 10 mallard ducks from the individuals. A court date of Dec. 9 has been scheduled for the two individuals in Anne Arundel County District Court.
A person may not hunt, or attempt to hunt, wetland game birds, by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area.
Baiting means the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed that would lure, attract, or entice wetland game birds to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to hunt them.
A person, other than the owner or occupant, while hunting for any wild bird or mammal may not shoot or discharge any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards, known as the "safety zone," of a dwelling house, residence, church, or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or shoot at any wild bird or mammal while it is within this area, without the specific advance permission of the owner or occupant.
Cecil County On Friday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged three men with multiple hunting violations on private property off of Union Church Road near Elkton. NRP responded to the area after receiving a report of possible illegal hunting.
Jennings J. Nichols II, 18, and Daniel T. Leffew, 20, both of Elkton along with Dustin C. Barrow, 18, of Conowingo were each charged with failure to obtain a hunting license; failure to obtain a hunter safety certificate; failure to possess and exhibit a hunting license; hunting on private property without written permission; failure of hunter to wear safety orange; and hunting deer during closed season. Nichols was also charged with failure to field tag deer. Officers also seized as evidence a five point buck white-tailed deer.
A court date of Jan. 12, 2009 has been scheduled for the three individuals in Cecil County District Court.
NRP reminds citizens that they can report illegal activity 24 hours a day by calling the Catch a Poacher Hotline at 1-800-635-6124. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed.
Garrett County On Saturday, Oct. 25, at 11:35 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested an Accident man for driving while intoxicated on Bear Creek Road near Accident.
NRP initiated a traffic stop on Carl A. Miller, 81, of Accident for allegedly driving left of the center line. During the course of the traffic stop, Miller was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack for processing. He was charged with driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol per se, driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, and failure to drive right of center. He was released on his signature.
Montgomery County On Friday, Oct. 24, at 10:19 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police arrested and charged Carlos E. Mendoza, 30, of Washington, D.C. and Guillermo Suazo, 31, of Poolesville with multiple hunting violations along West Offutt Road, near Poolesville.
NRP initiated a traffic stop after hearing a gunshot while observing the van the two occupied allegedly spotlight a field along the roadway. During the course of the stop, NRP located and seized as evidence one .22 magnum caliber rifle, a .22 magnum caliber magazine, ammunition, a hand held spotlight and one white-tailed deer.
Mendoza and Guillermo were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged with casting rays of artificial light on fields or woodland while having a weapon in possession capable of killing deer; shooting on, from, or across a roadway; hunting on private property without written permission; and nighttime hunting. Mendoza was also charged with driving on a suspended out of state license. Both men were released after posting bond.
Worcester County On Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10:15 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Ryan R. Snyder, 25, of Chance, Tammy R. Adams, 35, and James V. Lorefice, 43, both of Princess Anne with hunting deer at night along Stevens Road near Blueberry Hill.
NRP initiated a traffic stop after observing the vehicle the three occupied allegedly spotlight a field along the roadway. During the course of the stop, NRP located and seized as evidence one loaded .22 magnum caliber rifle, ammunition and a hand held spotlight.
All three individuals were charged with casting rays of artificial light on fields or woodland while having a weapon in possession capable of killing deer. Snyder was also charged with having a loaded weapon in a vehicle. A court date of Jan. 23, 2009 has been scheduled for the three individuals in Worcester County District Court.
Worcester County On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Maryland Natural Resources Police located and seized 147 illegal commercial crab pots from the inland bays north of the Route 50 Bridge in Ocean City.
A person may legally set commercial crab pots in areas of the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River, and in the coastal bays of the Atlantic Ocean and their tidal tributaries if certain general requirements are met. Some of those requirements are:
- A person who owns or is in charge of operating a vessel used to catch crabs for commercial purposes with crab pots shall be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources.
- Each pot individually set shall be marked with a buoy that is easily visible on the surface.
- Each string of pots shall be marked at each end with a buoy that is easily visible on the surface.
- Each buoy shall be clearly marked with the identification number of the licensee in letters at least 2 inches high, and, if the buoy is attached to a string of crab pots, with the number of pots in the string.
- A person may not fish a crab pot licensed to another person.
NRP remind commercial and recreational users of the states waters to familiarize themselves with laws and regulations pertaining to an activity before they engage in that activity. More information on crabbing laws, regulations and requirements can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov
NRP continues their investigation.
October 28, 2008 Contact: Sgt. Ken Turner
410-260-8003 office
kturner@dnr.state.md.usThe Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov