CT State EnCon Police
East District Highlights
April 2018

Public Safety Incidents
On the afternoon of 4/15/18 Officers Curran, Blackwell, Scatena, and Sergeant Dwyer responded to the Salmon River State Forest, East Hampton, on a report of a Jeep partially submerged in the water with a person standing on top of it. After foot searches along the riverbank Officer Curran located the abandoned vehicle. The driver was located some distance away by Sgt. Dwyer. The male operator admitted to off-roading in the forest and getting stuck. He was issued citations for trespass / illegal trail use. His vehicle was later removed by good Samaritans.
In the early evening (after sunset) on 4/17/2018 Officers Bouthillier, Tavares and Tefft responded to the Green Falls Pond area of Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown, for a male and female who were lost and losing cell phone power. Both parties and their dog were located in about an hour of the sesarch by EnCon Police Officers. They then returned safely to their campsite.

Fishing / Boating Enforcement
On 4/13/18, the day prior to the beginning of legal trout fishing, Officer Danielson was patrolling the Natchaug River in Mansfield, and found four fishermen actively fishing. They were cited for fishing a closed area; they admitted to knowing it was closed. Later that evening Officer Ruggiero was patrolling the Salmon River fishing area, Colchester, and found a male and female after hours smoking what appeared to be marijuana – they were cited for the violations following assistance from a State Police K9.
On 4/14/18, the opening day of trout fishing, Officer Tefft found four men actively fishing a stocked brook in Franklin well before the opening time of 6 AM; all four received citations for fishing during the closed season. Other opening day incidents included citations for fishing without a license, and failure to have/ wear lifejackets in a manually-propelled vessels. The incidents occurred in Black Pond, Middlefield and Bigelow Pond, Union.

ATV / Recreation Enforcement
On 4/3/18 Officer Vroman issued violations for vandalism to a male and female who had been seen a few days before spray painting rocks at Diana’s Pool fishing access in Chaplin. From witness’ descriptions he located the offenders who later admitted to the act. They also cleaned up the grafitti.
On 4/11/18 Officer Landry and Sergeant Dwyer responded to Bishops Swamp WMA in Andover for a report of numerous quads in the area; two side-by-side UTVs were located and their drivers admitted to operating unregistered, illegally on private property, and disturbing neighbors. Citations for the violations were issued.
On 4/14 Officers Scatena, Tefft and Vroman heard numerous ATVs operating on and near the mushroom farm in Franklin, but were unable to immediately locate them. Their towing/ transport vehicles were later found and 3 males were eventually cited upon their return to the vehicle for illegal operation / trespass. They admitted to the same.
Later the same day Officers Curran and Landry responded to Pachaug State Forest, Sterling, for a report of 15-20 ATVs operating in the area illegally all day. Two Rhode Island males were later stopped and cited for numerous ATV violations, including operating on public roadways, failing to stop for an officer, trespass and public disturbance.
On 4/22/2018, another ATV complaint was reported at Hurd State Park, East Hampton. Officer Curran found four young ATV operators (dirt bikes) trespassing on park property and issued violations to all.
On 4/29/2018 Officer Landry was patrolling Meshomasic State Forest, Glastonbury, in an area known for parties and illegal ATV use. Officer Landry issued several warnings and infractions for unauthorized use of trails and illegal ATV operation to several parties, and later stopped one vehicle with five young occupants well after sunset on a trail. The operator’s license was under suspension and marijuana was found in the vehicle – the operator was arrested for the motor vehicle and drug violations, and all occupants were cited for trespass after hours.

Public Outreach Events
On Friday, April 6th at Rentschler Field, East Hartford Twelve EnCon Police Officers, including four Honor Guard members, attended the funeral services for CT State Police Trooper Kevin Miller, following his tragic death in a motor vehicle accident on duty. Learning of Trooper Miller’s son’s interest in fishing, EnCon Police officers presented him with a fishing pole and provided an opportunity for him to fish the Natchaug River, Eastford, following the opening of trout season.
April 6-8th, Eastern District officers also worked at the Northeast Hunting and Fishing Show, interacting with many attendees and fielding outdoor recreation questions. Officers also instructed hunting laws to police officers in training sessions in Montville and Meriden, as well as at a CE/FS hunting course in Durham.
CT State EnCon Police
Marine District Highlights
April 2018

Fishing Enforcement
On 4/3/2018 Officer Nivolo was patrolling the Wepewaug River in Orange due to multiple complaints of individuals fishing for trout during the closed season. Angling for fish of any species is illegal between March 1st and April 14th. Officer Nivolo saw individual fishing with a fly rod who had caught two brown trout and released them. Officer Nivolo approached the individual who asked if where he was fishing was a trout management area. Officer Nivolo replied that it was not. The individual kept fishing and caught a third trout in Officer Nivolo’s presence. The individual then stated “I guess I shouldn’t be here then right”? He was issued an infraction for Fishing During the Closed Season.
On 4/12/2018 Officer Hey responded to a complaint in Shelton of an individual catching and keeping undersized striped bass behind a sports complex. Officer Hey located the individual identified by the complainant, approached him and asked for his 2018 CT fishing license. The individual provided his CT driver’s license and failed to produce a fishing license. Upon asking said individual how many striped bass he had caught he responded “three or four”. Officer Hey then asked to see the fish for inspection upon which time seven under sized striped bass ranging from 14-18 inches were produced. The legal daily limit for striped bass is 1 fish with a minimum length of 28 inches. Officer Hey issued the individual a Misdemeanor Summons for 7 counts of undersized striped bass, 6 counts for over the daily creel limit and fishing without a license.
On 4/22/2018 Officer Hey received a complaint of individuals catching and keeping undersized striped bass at Sandy Point in West Haven. Officer Hey observed the individuals catch several striped bass but was unable to ascertain if they were releasing them. Officer Hey approached the individuals and asked for their respective fishing licenses and observed several short striped bass on the beach next to them. Both fishermen denied the fish was theirs. As one of the fisherman was looking for his fishing license in his back pack Officer Hey noticed the sand was disturbed by his back pack. Officer Hey removed some of the loose sand and uncovered a plastic bag of which contained eight undersized striped bass ranging from 16-24 inches. Officer Hey issued the individuals Misdemeanor Summons’ for 4 counts of undersized striped bass and 3 counts for over the daily limit each.
On 4/24/2018 Officer Nivolo was patrolling the catch & release only section of the Mill River in Fairfield and saw an individual catch several trout and place them in a plastic bag. Upon a check the individual stated that he didn’t know he was in a catch & release only area. The fish were seized and the individual was issued an infraction for violation of Trout Management Regulations.
Summary
In the month of April numerous individuals were cited for fishing without a license along the Mill River and Housatonic River.
Several Public Outreaches were conducted by Marine District Officers including the Hunting & Fishing Show, UCONN’s Environmental Law Class, and several law enforcement updates to municipal police officers throughout the state at various police academies.

CT State EnCon Police
West District Highlights
April 2018


ENFORCEMENT OF EXOTIC SPECIES

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) State Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon), with the assistance of Meriden Police, on Thursday, April 26, 2018 served a search and seizure warrant at 22 Westfield Rd. Meriden, CT after information was obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding an advertisement on a snake forum for the sale of several venomous snakes. Environmental Conservation Police Officers gained further information that the accused, Cameron DeFrances, 21, of Meriden had posted photographs on his social media account and listed the venomous snakes for sale. Based on this information, EnCon officers applied for and executed a search warrant of the DeFrances residence in Meriden, locating multiple venomous snakes that are illegal to possess in Connecticut. With the assistance of a qualified licensed reptile specialist all the snakes were seized and safely transported to a secure facility for reptiles. Seven snakes that are illegal to possess under Connecticut law were located alive in the residence and two snakes that were illegally possessed were found deceased. Among the snakes that were found alive include a Gaboon Viper, a Forest Cobra, Two Egyptian Banded Cobras and Two Monocled Cobras. A Tree Viper and a King Cobra were also found deceased. DeFrances was charged with the following violations: Nine Counts of Illegal Possession of a Category Two Wild Animal and Reckless Endangerment First Degree. DeFrances was processed at Meriden Police Department and was released on a $1000.00 dollar surety bond after contacting Ali Baba Bail Bonds. DeFrances’ court date is on 5/10/2018 at Meriden Superior Court.

FISHING ENFORCEMENT

On 4/10/18, Officer Mihalyak was on patrol on the Housatonic River in Shelton. A male was observed fishing and had a five gallon bucket with two striped bass. The striped bass were measured and found to be undersized (minimum legal length is 28”) at 19.5 inches and 15 inches each. Both striped bass were still alive and returned to the River. The male was issued a Misdemeanor Summons for Possession of Striped Bass Less Than Legal Limit and Excess creel, a license null and void was also issued.
On 4/18/18, Officer Mihalyak was dispatched to a report of two white males fishing near the cement overlook over bagging fish at Lake Wintergreen, Hamden. The two males were observed fishing and had been putting their fish in a mesh fish bag. Both males admitted that they had put fish in the bag the entire day. Inside the bag were numerous trout. It appeared the males had several trout over the daily limit of 5 per angler. In all, there were 4 dead trout and 14 live trout for a total of 18 in their possession. The accused did not have any prior fish and game violation history. Both were issued infractions for a violation of Excess Creel Limit.
On 4/21/2018, Officer Kiely was conducting fishing enforcement of the Housatonic River in Shelton where he observed two individuals down an embankment with one visible fishing rod. The two suspects took turns making casts into the water. After several casts he saw one of the suspects reel in what appeared to be a small fish (unknown type due to the low level of ambient light). Shortly after, he saw one of the suspects walking uphill towards him from the shore. The suspect was carrying a collapsed fishing rod and immediately exclaimed, “Not fishing”. Behind the first suspect, he observed the second suspect stop along the trail and put down an orange object, then continued uphill and nervously stated, “No fish”. A check of where the second suspect stopped an orange 5 gallon bucket containing multiple undersized Striped Bass was located. Both suspects verbally admitted to fishing and catching the Striped Bass and also believed they were allowed to keep 10 each. The two suspects were found to be in possession of 18 undersized Striped Bass, between 14 and 20 inches. Both parties were issued summons’ for the following violations; Fishing w/o License, Possession of Less Than Legal Length Striped Bass (9 counts each) and Excess Creel Limit Striped Bass (8 counts each). Both were released on non-surety bonds with a court set date of 5/4/2018 at Derby Superior Court. Due to all the Striped Bass being deceased they were seized and will be donated to a wildlife rehabilitator for animal consumption.

On 4/22/18, Officer Johnston was called to the Housatonic River in Shelton for a report of someone keeping short Striped Bass. Upon arrival the suspect was located fishing behind a nearby house. When asked for his fishing license the suspect stated it was in his car and led Officer Johnston to his vehicle where there was a cooler. The suspect allowed the officer to look in the cooler that was in his vehicle. The cooler contained three Striped Bass between 16 and 19". The accused admitted that the fish were his. The accused was charged with Possession of Under-Sized Striped Bass and Possession in excess of Creel Limit on Striped Bass. He was released after posting a $100.00 cash bond with court date of 5/4/18 at GA-5 in Derby.

HUNTING ENFORCEMENT

On 04/09/18 Western District Officers responded to a residence in the town of Canton for a report of a bear being shot at. Upon arrival it was determined through witness statements that the suspect had shot at a black bear while pursuing the bear with an ATV. The suspect was subsequently arrested for the noted violation.

On 4/24/18, Officer Norton was notified by Dispatch that they had just received a complaint from an individual that their neighbor had shot a Great Blue Heron. According to EnCon Dispatch the caller stated hearing a sound similar to that of a high powered air rifle, and then saw the bird fall and struggle on the ground. Officer Norton and Officer Flockhart met with the complainant. The complainant brought Officer Norton to the backyard of the residence, and pointed to where the deceased bird was lying on the ground. There was a clearly visible injury through the chest of the bird that was similar to that of a gunshot wound. The officer’s investigation and interviews of three suspects led to another residence where three suspects were identified. The investigation and interviews of all three suspects resulted in the arrest of that homeowner. The accused admitted to shooting the bird and continued to explain that he had shot the bird earlier in the morning with his .22 caliber rifle, after thinking it was a crow. The accused was issued a Misdemeanor Summons.


On 4/25/2018, while conducting opening day turkey enforcement of the Aldo Leopold WMA Officer Kiely observed the accused wearing full camouflaged walking along the dirt access road towards East Flat Hill Road. The dirt access road is owned by the Town of Southbury. The Town has an agreement with DEEP to allow individual’s access to the WMA from the main road long as no hunting activity is conducted. Officer Kiely made contact with the accused at his vehicle parked on East Flat Hill Road. He observed the accused was in possession of a pump action shotgun with the action in the closed position. Officer Kiely requested the accused to open the action to ensure the weapon was unloaded and plugged. The accused then worked the action to the rear, ejecting one unfired 12ga. shotgun shell. The accused continued to work the action two more times, ejecting two more unfired 12ga. shotgun shells. In close proximity (77 yards) there were two residences adjacent to the area where the accused was found to be in possession of a loaded hunting implement. The accused possessed a valid CT Firearms hunting license with resident game bird stamp. The accused was issued a misdemeanor summons for the following violations; Hunting/Carrying loaded firearm within 500 feet of occupied building and hunting private land without written consent. The accused was released on a written promise to appear with a court date of 5/9/18 at Waterbury Superior Court.

TRAINING

During the month of April, EnCon Police conducted training for thirty-four seasonal lake patrol officers (LPOs) from Candlewood Lake Authority and Lake Housatonic Authority. These LPOs are employees of their respective agencies. They receive their law enforcement authority appointment as LPOs from the Commissioner of DEEP. The DEEP is statutorily responsible for providing the training to these LPOs. The training consisted of a basic (recruit) LPO class for eleven newly hired candidates and two refresher training sessions for twenty-two returning LPOs. Training topics included Boating Law, Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Recognition, Accident Investigation & Reporting, and Constitutional Law among others. Additionally, all LPOs received training in Officer Survival or "Defensive Tactics".

K-9 CALLS FOR SERVICE

On 4/12/18 Off. Flockhart and K-9 Ellie responded to a report of a missing 18 year old male missing in Sunnybrook State Park in Torrington. The male was located off state property. On 4/26/18 Off. Flockhart and K-9 Ellie responded to a possible SAR for a suicide male in Southford Falls State Park in Southbury. The male was ultimately located in Ansonia.

It frosts me seeing all these people with the undersized stripers and then they get a slap on the wrist.

4-24-2018 mistaking a Blue Heron for a crow and shooting it. Really!
I hope he got a stiff fine and not just a promise not to do it again!