Law enforcement year-end review 2005

2006·4.7 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management

BLM LIBRARY
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Bureau fj l
of Land Management
To enhance the quality of life for all citizens through
Our Vision
the balanced stewardship of America’s public lands
and resources.
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of
Our Mission
the public lands for the use and enjoyment of
present and future generations.
To serve with honesty, integrity, accountability,
Our Values
respect, courage, and commitment to make
a difference.
Our Priorities To improve the health and productivity of the land
to support the BLM multiple-use mission.
To cultivate community-based conservation,
citizen-centered stewardship, and partnership
through consultation, cooperation, and
communication.
To respect, value, and support our employees,
giving them resources and opportunities to succeed.
To pursue excellence in business practices,
improve accountability to our stakeholders,
and deliver better service to our customers.
For more information, contact the Office of Law Enforcement and Security. BLM-WO-GI-06-019-1800
Editing, layout, and design provided by the National Science and Technology Center.
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Director’s Message
focus on cooperating with County ued to investigate and prosecute a
Sheriff’s Departments, using exist¬ wide range of cases, including the
ing law enforcement agreements illegal digging on and theft of arti¬
and establishing new agreements in facts from public lands. In many of
specific Counties to address high- the cases involving the theft of arti¬
use recreation areas and events on facts, the possession or the manu¬
the public lands. Memorandums of facturing of methamphetamine
Understanding with law enforce¬ continued to be associated with
ment programs of other Depart¬ arrested suspects. On public lands
ment of the Interior agencies will this year an increasing number
also be used to protect the cultural, of marijuana gardens (containing
historical, archaeological, and more than 200,000 plants)—and
paleontological resources found on their associated problems—were
I
BLM-managed land. discovered. In 2005, BLM Agents
and Rangers routinely investigated
n 2005, the public service Increasing the mobility of the arson, wildland fire, vegetative and
provided by the Agents and BLM’s law enforcement personnel timber thefts, occupancy trespass,
Rangers in the Bureau of Land will also be used extensively to sup¬ hazardous materials, vandalism,
Management (BLM) law enforce¬ port high-use recreation areas and illegal dumping, mineral thefts,
ment program continued to be high-visitation events. By working and wild horse and burro cases.
significant in protecting the diverse in cooperation with other Federal,
resources found on the public State, and County law enforcement I thank the Rangers and Agents
lands, as well as those individuals agencies, we will help ensure the for their professionalism and their
who visit and enjoy the outdoor public’s safety in those rural areas continuing service and dedication
recreational opportunities found where the population increases in protecting the public lands and
on the 261 million acres the BLM dramatically with recreationists the resources on these lands. I also
manages. during given seasons and weekends thank the Federal and State law
and can have a significant effect on enforcement agencies, County
The BLM’s law enforcement pro¬ local law enforcement and emer¬ Sheriff’s Departments, and City
gram has fewer than 300 person¬ gency services in rural Counties. law enforcement officers who have
nel, including support staff. Given continued to support us.
the large geographic area that In 2005, the BLM’s law enforce¬
BLM officers cover, we continue to ment Agents and Rangers contin¬
Law Enforcement Year-End Review 1
Keith L. Aller, Deputy Director
I
t has been another great year
for the Special Agents in the
Bureau of Land Management
(BLM). Our Special Agents were
involved in some high-profile and
meaningful investigations, which
are included in the various State ne
or
aoppfuolasausrugrormtae islpone apdofvr a eoftlt isautrcthworiiig pl si aean atnRtvcieoftee,oin vsvirtisinice tg wieaeaamn.std di,evBd ineiaLnt tri eM eomRf nfa aoo unvrtsnotgitist ¬ea.ot r lhfs e ir ks with members of the 82nd Airbw Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Aller wormy in Ne
WitCnioacenlr ie hfaioansvr enet hi ianne o omStvitceaaretre idtjsh u aeoa nftpr aOea mscrtue elgftneiovwdnao ¬yua esna drs . Deputy Director Keith Division of the U.S. Ar
Marijuana cultivation is now
determined to do everything within devastation over such a large area
controlled by organized drug traf¬
our power to identify those respon¬ was difficult to comprehend. It was
ficking organizations that are also
sible and bring them to justice. heartbreaking to see the personal
involved in the sale and manufac¬
loss and tragedy but truly uplifting
ture of other controlled substances.
to see the thousands of law enforce¬
We are cooperating with other Drug cultivation and manufactur¬
ment officers from Federal, State,
Federal, State, and local agencies ing is only one facet of the numer¬
and local law enforcement agencies,
to locate and eradicate these mari¬ ous and complicated issues our
the National Guard, and regular
juana gardens and prosecute those Agents have to deal with daily. Our
military that responded to help.
responsible. Our efforts have been Agents and Rangers must be pre¬
The Department of the Interior
helped tremendously by funding pared to deal with anything from
deployed several teams, including
from the Office of National Drug drug cultivators and smugglers to
a team from the BLM, to assist the
Control Policy and the efforts of illegal aliens and cultural resource
New Orleans Police Department
the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern thieves, yet must still be prepared
with law enforcement services.
District of California and Oregon. to respond to national emergencies.
In one operation alone we, along
with other law enforcement agen¬ In September, I was deployed to I commend all of our law enforce¬
cies, seized more than 18,000 mari¬ the New Orleans area to coordinate ment officers for their dedication
juana plants and arrested 11 people. the Department of the Interior law and professionalism. Thanks again
These kinds of illegal activities on enforcement response to Hurricane to all our partners for their invalu¬
public lands threaten legitimate Katrina. It was an experience that able help and expertise.
land uses and users, and we are I will always remember. The utter
2 Law Enforcement Year-End Review
Felicia Probert, Chief Ranger
T
he past year has been alcohol and reducing the amount
another busy and pro¬ of environmental degradation
ductive one for the 190 resulting from the operation of
Rangers of the Bureau of Land off-highway vehicles off designated
Management (BLM). Although the routes or outside of designated
size of the workforce has remained areas. Rangers are also teaming up
relatively stable, the workload con¬ with County Sheriffs’ Deputies in
tinues to increase, particularly in some areas to reduce the amount of
areas of urban interface and high- illegal activity of all types, resulting
use off-highway vehicle recreation. in an improved recreational
experience for visitors.
Rangers continue to focus their
efforts on a variety of issues, With increasing populations
including protecting cultural throughout the West, one key
and historical resources and sites, area Rangers focus on is the
ensuring humane treatment of investigation of incidents involving In addition to their many duties
wild horses and burros, eradicating the dumping of household, on public lands, BLM Rangers
marijuana, reducing the negative commercial, construction, assisted the National Park Service
effects on public lands resources landscaping, and hazardous over the July 4, 2005, weekend
resulting from smuggling activity waste—a common occurrence on with increased security at some
along the southern international public lands in areas of expanding of the icon parks. Additionally,
border, preventing theft and urban interface. a contingent of Rangers spent 3
damage of timber and native weeks providing law enforcement
vegetation, and providing assistance Twelve new Rangers graduated and security services at Red Cross
to BLM Special Agents on long¬ from the Natural Resource Police relief centers in New Orleans after
term investigations. Training program at the Federal Hurricane Katrina.
Law Enforcement Training Center
By using a combination of public in Glynco, Georgia. Many of the I express my personal thanks
education, violation notices, and— BLM graduates were recognized to each of the Rangers for
in some instances—arrest, Rangers for exceptional achievement in their continued hard work and
assigned to high-use recreation academic, driving, firearms, and commitment to protecting the
areas are working to reduce the physical fitness proficiency. Five of public lands and resources.
number of incidents involving these new Rangers had participated
operation of a motor vehicle while in the BLM’s Student Career
under the influence of drugs and Experience Program.
Law Enforcement Year-End Review 3
Dan “Perry” McCoy, Ranger of the Year
D
an “Perry” McCoy is the and garner cooperation and assis¬
2005 recipient of the tance in a way that is both friendly
Bureau of Land Manage¬ and professional. Retiring Assistant
ment (BLM) Ranger of the Year U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Flotsen-
Award. McCoy demonstrates a piller formally recognized McCoy
o' '
high degree of professionalism, by stating, “...Ranger Perry McCoy
cooperation, integrity, and honor deserves special mention...Perry
and is a true asset to the BLM law consistently goes above and beyond
enforcement program. the call to get the job done.. .1
greatly appreciate both his sense of
Ranger McCoy is constantly called humor and his quality work_”
on to participate in “extra-curricu¬ Because of this ability, Ranger
lar” duties, representing the agency McCoy is routinely requested to par¬
at the Annual National Sheriff’s ticipate in special details, such as the
Conference, making presentations Moab Jeep Safari. Fie is exception¬
to the Beckwourth Kids Foundation ally well respected among his peers,
Outside the law enforcement
(http:/'/'www. beckwourthmountain- both internally and externally, and
environment, Ranger McCoy is
club.org/beckwourth), or taking on is often called upon for his land
extremely effective in communicat¬
additional duties such as Supervi¬ management expertise. As one
ing the issues of natural resources,
sory Ranger, State Firearms Coor¬ officer put it, Ranger Perry McCoy
as well as interpreting the rules,
dinator, “unofficial” Field Training “.. .is the guy you want beside you
regulations, and policies governing
Officer, and Assistant State Staff when you go through the door....”
our public lands. When it comes
Ranger. McCoy exhibits the type of
to dealing with the public, McCoy
officer that the BLM wants to repre¬ Ranger McCoy has taken a lead
is one of those individuals who
sent its law enforcement program. role in overseeing the monthly Law
possess the innate ability to cor¬
Enforcement Roundtable in Mesa
rect unwanted action through both
One of Ranger McCoy’s strongest County, Colorado. The Roundtable
enforcement and education, in such
attributes is his ability to effectively brings together representatives from
a way that he can issue a violation
interact with local law enforcement all of the Federal, State, and local
notice to an individual, and then
personnel, non-law enforcement law enforcement agencies within
have the individual shake his hand
personnel, and the general public. In Mesa County to discuss officer
and thank him for his insight and
a law enforcement environment, he safety issues, training, and incidents
professionalism.
has the ability to communicate issues or people of interest.
4 Law Enforcement Year-End Review
William V. Elliott, Special Agent of the Year
aluminum) and to recycle it for use decreased 70%. This investigation
in obtaining methamphetamine. received extensive media attention
After developing and recruiting a and was a feature story on a Public
criminal informant on the case, Broadcasting Service television
Elliott developed probable cause program in October 2005.
and obtained and executed five
search warrants, recovering most of Special Agent Elliott started his
the 4,500 pounds of stolen bridge Federal law enforcement career in
parts, a drug lab, evidence of child 1974 and joined the BLM in 1990
pornography, and other valuable as a Criminal Investigator in the
evidence. Oregon State Office. Over the years,
Elliott has been the lead investiga¬
Six suspects in the case have tor and case agent on many of the
pleaded guilty to felony charges, BLM’s most complex and long-term
including the theft of government cases in the Pacific Northwest.
pedal Agent William V. property and possession of firearms
Elliott was assigned to inves¬ and drugs, and have received Special Agent Elliott has one of the
tigate the reported theft imprisonment sentences. In highest prosecution and conviction
of portions of a Bureau of Land addition, Special Agent Elliott’s rates in the Bureau’s Office of Law
Management (BLM) bridge in fall investigation assisted the Linn Enforcement and Security. A hall¬
2004. After contacting the Fed¬ County Sheriff’s Office in solving mark of Elliott’s work is his ability
eral Protective Service, Oregon a homicide that was directly to foster interagency cooperation to
State Police, and the Linn County connected to the BLM theft case. assist the BLM in its resource pro¬
Sheriff’s Office for leads, Special The Linn County Sheriff’s Office tection mission on the public land.
Agent Elliott determined there was has stated that, because of this Special Agent Elliott is presently
a criminal conspiracy among several investigation alone, residential assigned as the Oregon-Washington
suspects to steal metal (specifically burglaries in Linn County have Drug Enforcement Coordinator.
Law Enforcement Year-End Review 5
Bureau of Land Management
Law Enforcement Organization
Line Authority
Technical Advice and
Program Support
Total Special Agents = 56
Total Rangers = 192
6 Law Enforcement Year-End Review
Highlights of Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Activities
for Fiscal Year 2005
Category Number (except as noted)
Theft incidents 509
Theft enforcement actions 243
ARPAa or paleontological 51
Minerals 25
Timber 137
All other natural resources 69
Vandalism incidents 686
Vandalism enforcement actions 244
ARPAa or paleontological
Natural resources 113
Other property 515
Fire incidents 654
Fire enforcement actions 471
Arson 68
Off-highway vehicles 5,475
Off-highway vehicles enforcement actions 5,118
DUIb 122
Search and rescue 223
Drug enforcement incidents 914
Drug enforcement actions 811
Sale and manufacture 144
Possession 669
Marijuana seizures:
Processed (in pounds) 2,181
Plants 353,103
Wild horse and burro incidents 114
Hazardous materials incidents 79
Hazardous materials enforcement actions 35
Occupancy trespass 217
Occupancy trespass enforcement actions 159
Assaults
Law enforcement officers 11
Government employees—non-law enforcement 27
Public 15
aArchaeological Resources Protection Act
bDriving Under the Influence
Enforcement Actions = Written Warning, Citation, Criminal Complaint, Arrest, Grand Jury
Indictment, Administrative or Civil Remedy
Law Enforcement Year-End Review 7
ALASKA STATE OFFICE
222 W. 7 th Avenue, #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
Fairbanks
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
O Kotzebue
White Mountain N
Fairbanks
Glennallen
Anchorage
V Glennallen
Anchorage
Juneau
SE Alaska is administered
by Anchorage Field Office
Some of the BLM-managed lands shown on this map include
lands selected for conveyance by either the State of Alaska or
various Alaska Native corporations, as authorized by the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and other legislation.
BLM-managed lands
BLM-administered minerals underlying
federal surface (excluding National Park
Service and Fish and Wildlife Service units)
BLM National Conservation, Recreation, and Protection Areas
J. (National Conservation Areas, National Recreation Areas, Outstanding
Natural Areas, and Cooperative Management and Protection Areas)
♦
BLM State Office
% BLM Field Offices
O BLM Field Stations
BLM Field Office boundaries
Major highways
8 Law Enforcement Year-End Review