CARRABELLE BOAT CAPTAIN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING DECKHANDS IN THE GULF OF AMERICA

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Terry Carrington, 38, of Carrabelle, Florida was sentenced today to 84 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury that occurred in the Gulf of America. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

According to court records, Carrington and the two victims were fishing for red snapper as part of a multi-day commercial fishing trip in April 2024. During the trip, Carrington, without provocation, struck the first victim, breaking his jaw, rendering him unconscious. Carrington then retrieved a rifle and attempted to shoot the second victim, who after multiple shots were fired wrestled the rifle away from Carrington. Ultimately, the victims subdued Carrington and returned to land where they were able to alert law enforcement.   

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “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.”

Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent in Charge, Damon Youmans, 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 conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Welch.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.