Updated Feb 2; Sept. 17
Three men have been charged by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Hillsborough County State Attorney after dragging a shark behind their boat.
Michael Wenzel, Robert Lee Benac and Spencer Heintz have each been charged with two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty, a third-degree felony. Wenzel and Benac were each charged with one misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The three men filmed themselves as they pulled what appeared to be a live shark at high speed behind their boat.
In the disturbing video, the shark could be seen twisting and crashing in waves as the three men laughed at its demise.
The FWC was alerted to the video July 24 and identified the suspects.
Several of the suspects had posted other disturbing videos and photos showing possible animal abuse, including pouring beer through live shark’s gills and shooting a hammerhead shark (disturbing link) in the gills.
After a four-month long investigation into the video and other photos the FWC and the Hillsborough State Attorney office announced the charges.
“As we’ve said since this video and other images came to light, these actions have no place in Florida, where we treasure and conserve our natural resources for everyone,” said Commission Chairman Bo Rivard.
“We appreciate the patience and support of the public as our law enforcement investigators worked with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office to identify a number of serious violations that will be brought to the courts for adjudication. It is our hope these charges will send a clear message to others that this kind of behavior involving our fish and wildlife will not be tolerated.”
Related: Fishermen landed and gaffed a shark that appeared to be a protected great white in California
Andrew H. Warren, State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit said, “The State Attorney’s Office is committed to holding these men accountable for having engaged in such senseless and unjustifiable animal cruelty. We thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their work in investigating these crimes, and we stand with them, along with Florida’s fishing and hunting communities, and all those who cherish our precious natural resources, in condemning the torture of our marine wildlife.”
The suspects and their charges are as follows:
Michael Wenzel (top left) of Palmetto, Florida [plead guilty to reduced charges]
• Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).
• One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor).
Robert Lee Benac (top right) of Bradenton, Florida [plead guilty to reduced charges]
• Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).
• One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor).
Spencer Heintz (Bottom Left) of Palmetto, Florida [charges dropped due to lack of evidence and agreement to testify May 1, 2018]
• Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).
The fourth individual in the video provided information to authorities and will not be facing charges.
Update Feb. 2, 2019:
Wenzel accepted a deal and plead guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor charge and will serve 10 days in jail. In addition he will loose his fishing license for five-years, spend 10 days in jail on the weekend, serve 100 hours of community service, have 11 months of probation and $2,500 fine.
Robert Benac rejected an equivalent offer and opted for trial.
Update Sept. 17, 2019
Robert Benac III, son of Manatee County Commissioner Betsy Benac, accepted a plea deal.
The plea reduces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Benac sentencing follows Wenzel’s with 10 days of jail time which can be served during weekends. He will be required to serve 250 hours of community service at an animal shelter, forfeit his fishing license for three years and pay a $2,500 fine.
