Terry Carrington, a 38-year-old boat captain from Carrabelle, Florida, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. This follows his guilty plea to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury during an incident in the Gulf of America. The sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Court records reveal that the incident occurred during a commercial fishing trip for red snapper in April 2024. Without provocation, Carrington assaulted one victim by breaking his jaw and rendering him unconscious. He then attempted to shoot a second victim with a rifle. The second victim managed to wrestle the rifle away after multiple shots were fired. Both victims eventually subdued Carrington and reported the incident upon returning to land.
U.S. Attorney Heekin commented on the case: “This defendant has been held responsible for his violent, unprovoked attack on two innocent individuals.” He emphasized the commitment of his office to ensuring safety and holding violent criminals accountable within the Northern District of Florida.
Damon Youmans, Special Agent in Charge at Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), stated: “Together with our state and local law enforcement partners, CGIS maintains a zero-tolerance policy for crimes in the maritime domain.”
The conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by several agencies including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Coast Guard Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Welch prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is part of 94 offices nationwide serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General.
