FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 19, 2008
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CONTACT: Sally Cooey, (850) 595-8300, ext. 1180, or (850) 777-0476 (cell)
Dee Ann Miller, (850) 245-2112, or (850) 519-2898 (cell)
DEP Agents Solve Illegal Deadhead Logging Case
--Gulf County man charged with illegally harvesting deadhead logs--
GULF COUNTY – Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) law enforcement agents recently arrested Robert Gay for deadhead logging without obtaining the appropriate permits and authorization. Gay, 57, of Depot Creek in Gulf County, was charged with failure to obtain a dredge and fill permit, a first degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and six months in jail; and failure to obtain a user agreement permit, a first degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and six months in jail.
“Mr. Gay deliberately violated Florida’s environmental laws by illegally harvesting deadhead logs without a permit,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet. “With the help of concerned local citizens, DEP law enforcement agents were able to quickly and efficiently solve this crime.”
Following a citizen tip, DEP agents discovered that Mr. Gay was actively engaged in the retrieval of a deadhead log using a power winch and logging tongs at Depot Creek without a permit. In addition, Mr. Gay did not have authorization to conduct such activities on state-owned submerged lands.
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement, providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Agents investigate environmental resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities, and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that can threaten the environment.
To report environmental crime, Cingular and Sprint Nextel wireless customers can dial *DEP. Callers can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (800) 320-0519.
logs
"Mr. Gay deliberately violated Florida’s environmental laws by illegally harvesting deadhead logs without a permit."
~ Henry Barnet
DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director
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