Charges were dropped Tuesday against one of the three men accused of dragging a shark behind a boat in Florida, according to reports.
According to local news outlets, charges against 23-year-old Spencer Heintz, of Palmetto, were dropped Tuesday during a disposition hearing with Judge Mark Wolfe.
Heintz had previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
No word on the charges against the other two suspects, 21-year-old Michael Wentzel of Palmetto, and 28-year-old Robert Lee Benac, of Bradenton.
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A court hearing is scheduled in Tampa this Tuesday for the three men accused in the infamous "shark dragging case."
Robert Benac, Michael Wenzel, and Spencer Heintz have pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty.
Last summer, a video that went viral on social media depicted a live shark being violently dragged behind a speeding boat. The video shows three men laughing and joking about the ordeal.
Look it's already almost dead," said one man while pointing and laughing at the shark.
The disturbing video prompted outrage on social media and demands for the arrests of the men in the video. A petition was created and thousands signed it calling for the men to be charged.
The suspects and their charges are as follows:
Michael Wenzel, 21, of Palmetto
- 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, 28, of Bradenton
- Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony)
- One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take - Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor)
Spencer Heintz, 23, of Palmetto
- Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony)
Wenzel, Benac and Heintz are all out of jail on bond.
Viral Shark Dragging Video Suspects Plead Not Guilty To Animal Cruelty
By Jessi Minneci