TAMPA, Fla. — A trial date has been set for a man accused of animal cruelty in connection with the infamous video of a shark being dragged behind a boat. 

  • Last suspect in shark-dragging case to go to trial, beginning June 24
  • Robert Benac is one of three men charged
  • Benac's attorney says his client's participation was minimal

Robert Benac was one of three men charged in the case. 

On Thursday, his attorney tried again to have the charges dismissed, claiming his client had nothing to do with the incident. The judge disagreed and Benac's trail will begin June 24. 

Benac, Michael Wenzel, and Spencer Heintz were boating in the Gulf of Mexico in June 2017 when they recorded video of a shark hooked on their fishing line being dragged at a high speed behind the boat. The animal was later shot.

The video went viral after being posted on social media. 

The video likely will determine Benac's fate now. 

In February of this year, Wenzel 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.

Charges against Heintz were dropped. 

Benac and his attorney contend that he was not an active participant in the shark dragging or shooting. Also, Benac's attorney said the shark was dead prior to the dragging.  

"We'll do our best to show the whole picture and show what my client did and did not do and show that we don't believe he committed any crimes," said Benac's attorney Justin Petredis.