Terry Carrington, a 38-year-old from Carrabelle, Florida, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison for assaulting two deckhands during a fishing trip in the Gulf of America. This sentencing follows his guilty plea to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
The incident took place in April 2024 during a commercial fishing expedition for red snapper. Court records reveal that Carrington attacked the first victim without provocation, breaking his jaw and knocking him unconscious. He then attempted to shoot the second victim with a rifle. After several shots were fired, the second victim managed to disarm Carrington. The victims subdued him and reported the incident to law enforcement upon returning to land.
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin commented on the case: “This defendant has been held responsible for his violent, unprovoked attack on two innocent individuals. My office is committed to the safety of every person in the Northern District of Florida and is dedicated to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure violent criminals are held accountable, no matter where they commit their crimes in this District.”
Damon Youmans, Special Agent in Charge at Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), added: “Together with our state and local law enforcement partners, CGIS maintains a zero-tolerance policy for crimes in the maritime domain. Today’s sentencing serves as a clear warning that those who commit such crimes will be investigated fully and punished accordingly.”
The case was investigated by multiple 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.
For further details or access to public court documents online related to this case or others within its jurisdiction, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or learn more about their work at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
