Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Terry Carrington, a 38-year-old boat captain from Carrabelle, Florida, received an 84-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The incidents occurred during a fishing trip in the Gulf of America. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing.
Court records indicate that Carrington attacked two deckhands while fishing for red snapper in April 2024. Without provocation, he struck one victim, breaking his jaw and rendering him unconscious. He then attempted to shoot the second victim with a rifle. The second victim managed to wrestle the weapon away from Carrington after multiple shots were fired. The victims subdued Carrington and alerted law enforcement 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. 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 the 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. Today’s sentencing serves as a clear warning that those who commit such crimes will be investigated fully and punished accordingly.”
The investigation was conducted by 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices nationwide serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.
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