FWC Division of Law Enforcement Northeast Region
Northeast Region
The Northeast Region has over 40 wildlife management areas, a national forest, water management district lands and numerous state parks and preserves. This region is a combination of urban and rural environments. The northern reaches of the region provide some of the best wild turkey and deer hunting and freshwater fishing opportunities in the state. The southern counties of the region provide excellent duck hunting and boast a healthy population of Osceola turkeys, a subspecies of wild turkey sought by hunters from across the United States. The coastal counties of this region make up the largest coastline of any FWC region and provide some of the best inshore and offshore fishing in Florida.
News and Updates
FWC Officer Michael Hopkins responded to a report of possible spearfishing violations in Sebastian Inlet State Park and observed two individuals near a tide pool. The park manager identified one of the individuals, who was seated on a truck and appeared to be acting as a lookout.
During a resource inspection, both individuals denied any involvement in diving or fishing activities, despite a visibly wet dive bag being present in the bed of the truck. After speaking with the individuals, Officer Hopkins departed but maintained surveillance from a concealed position.
Officer Matthew St. Martin soon arrived to assist with ongoing surveillance. Shortly thereafter, the subjects resumed fishing activity. The officers observed them hide a stringer with a snook in the rocks and retrieve a heavy black container.
The officers approached the subjects and discovered a goliath grouper and three over-slot snook, all illegally harvested using a speargun. The officers received a full confession and arrested one individual for the illegal harvest and issued a notice to appear to the second individual.
This successful enforcement action highlights the strong collaboration between Florida state parks and the FWC’s Northeast Region South Coastal Squad in safeguarding the state’s natural resources.
On the evening of April 14, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) swiftly responded to a report of two overdue kayakers in the remote backwaters of Oak Hill.
The missing individuals, a 72-year-old man and his grandson, ventured out without any communication devices, prompting immediate concern when they failed to return as expected.
FWC aviation units quickly took to the skies, deploying an aircraft to search the expansive area. Simultaneously, additional officers launched a vessel to begin a coordinated water search. Thanks to the collaborative efforts and rapid deployment of resources, FWC and VCSO pilots spotted the kayakers from the air. FWC patrol officers on the water reached the pair shortly thereafter and safely returned them to their residence.
“This situation could have had a very different outcome, but thanks to the swift actions of our aviation and patrol officers, along with the excellent teamwork with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, it ended positively for everyone involved,” said FWC Lt. Colonel Randy Bowlin, Deputy Director, North Operations.
On March 23, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Chase Platt and K-9 Bolo assisted the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at Kempfer Ranch following reports of gunfire in the area. Four individuals fled from OCSO deputies but were soon apprehended.
After the suspects were in custody, Officer Platt deployed K-9 Bolo, who swiftly located a semi-automatic pistol near the area where the individuals had been found. Continuing the search, K-9 Bolo uncovered a backpack containing two additional firearms and multiple boxes of ammunition at a second location.
All recovered evidence was turned over to OCSO, the lead agency handling the case.
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Acting on a tip from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers cited Daniel David Dinovi (DOB 12/15/1978) of Merritt Island on March 14 with 20 misdemeanors related to prohibited species including possession, caging and improper sanitation violations.
FWC officers, assisted by BCSO deputies, discovered multiple nonregulated reptiles, as well as four prohibited species in Dinovi’s possession: two Burmese pythons, one Nile monitor, and one black and white tegu. While the nonregulated reptiles were left in place, the prohibited species were relocated to licensed facilities.
“The FWC encourages responsible captive wildlife ownership,” said Maj. John Wilke, FWC Captive Wildlife Section Leader. “Individuals who do not follow established guidelines create a misleading and damaging perception of reptile owners.”
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
Media contacts:
- Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
- Kristen Turner, Kristen.Turner@MyFWC.com
Nile monitors are a prohibited species.
See other photos related to this case.
On Feb. 11, the State Attorney’s Office sentenced Abilio Aiken Medina, 32, of Davenport, for multiple charges, including a felony for animal cruelty, following his 2023 arrest by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) captive wildlife investigators.
On Nov. 22, 2023, FWC Investigators responded to a complaint from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office regarding reptiles being kept in unsanitary conditions. During the inspection, investigators discovered a room with multiple reptile enclosures containing dirty or no water and, in some cases, malnourished or deceased animals.
Among the neglected animals found:
- A deceased, dehydrated ball python in its own excrement.
- Several bearded dragons, boa constrictors, pythons and other reptiles with contaminated or no water.
- A malnourished spiny-tailed iguana and two tortoises without water.
- A rose-haired tarantula with no water.
All animals were released to the FWC and placed in a permitted rescue facility and charges were referred to the State Attorney’s Office.
“I have no doubt that justice for these animals was achieved thanks to our investigators' diligence,” said Maj. John Wilke, FWC Captive Wildlife Section Leader. “We appreciate the State Attorney’s Office for recognizing the importance of responsible captive wildlife ownership.”
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert.
Media contacts:
- Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com
- Kristen Turner, Kristen.Turner@MyFWC.com
Community Outreach
Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Northeast Region recently participated in a youth camp hosted at Camp Kiwanis in the Ocala National Forest. The event, organized by the Never Say Never Foundation, was dedicated to children with limb differences (AMP Camp).
FWC Master Officer Joe Simpson and his K-9 partner Angus wowed the campers with a demonstration highlighting the vital role of K-9 units in conservation efforts. Officer Lauren Dickson gave the group a hands-on introduction to a ball python and taught the campers about native snake species.
Biologist Chad Owen showcased various freshwater fish species while sharing insights about Florida’s diverse aquatic ecosystems. Meanwhile, Biologist Jeff Shelton led the children in dip-netting along the lake’s edge, helping them discover and identify local aquatic species up close.
Lt. Asa Dias and Officer Chad Weber rounded out the day with an airboat display, offering a look at the specialized tools and equipment used by FWC officers in the field.
The camp provided an engaging, educational experience that sparked curiosity and deepened the children’s connection with Florida’s wildlife and natural resources.
