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Dec 15, 2017 · Among the three men charged is Michael Wenzel, 21, of Palmetto, who was captain of the boat and a friend of Alex Kompothecras, star of the MTV reality show Siesta Key.
- Former Times Reporter
Feb 28, 2019 · Published Feb. 28, 2019. TAMPA — He was the pilot of a boat that was recorded on video dragging a shark by a rope at high speeds through the waters of Tampa Bay as his boat mates laughed. Another...
- dsullivan@tampabay.com
- Justice Reporter
Dec 13, 2017 · In the video, three men can be seen smiling and laughing as the shark bounces through the waves. According to CNN, those three men, recently identified as Michael Wenzel, Robert Lee Benac, and Spencer Heintz, are each being charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
May 1, 2018 · The case will proceed against Michael Wenzel, 21, of Palmetto, center, and Robert Lee Benac, 28, of Bradenton. [Times files]
- tmarrero@tampabay.com
- Morning Editor And Justice Reporter
May 1, 2018 · Two of the other defendants in the case, Michael Wenzel of Palmetto, Robert Lee Benac of Bradenton, still face multiple felonies stemming from an incident in which they keel-hauled a live blacktip shark while filming its gruesome death.
Dec 13, 2017 · The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office has charged Michael Wenzel, 21; Spencer Heintz, 23; and Robert Lee Benac, 28, with two felony counts each of animal cruelty. Wenzel and Benac...
May 1, 2018 · Heintz, 21-year-old Michael Wenzel and 28-year-old Robert Lee Benac were all charged after a four-month-long investigation into the graphic video of a shark being dragged behind a boat.
