TAMPA, Fla. — The two men who became infamous after a video of them allegedly dragging a shark behind a boat went viral appeared in a Tampa courtroom Thursday. 

  • 2 men in shark dragging case appeared in court
  • 1 pleaded guilty, other will go to trial
  • Video from July 2017 went viral

Michael Wenzel and Robert Benac accused of dragging a shark behind their speeding boat and capturing the incident on video. Both initially pleaded not guilty in Jan. 2018.

In the video widely circulated starting in July 2017, the group of men could be seen on a boat, smiling, laughing and pointing at the shark as it flails in the wake behind a fast-moving boat. The men face various animal cruelty charges.

That led to an FWC investigation and charges being filed. 

On Thursday, Wenzel, 22, pleaded guilty to a 1st degree misdemeanor of animal cruelty and breaking fish and wildlife rules. He will face 10 days in jail, 11 months on probation and pay a $2,500 fine.

He also must complete 100 hours of community service and his Florida fishing license will be suspended for 5 years.

Benac, meanwhile, rejected a plea deal and will go to trial, which will begin June 24.

Another man who was on the boat, Spencer Heintz, 23, had his charges dropped last year