One of the two suspects in the infamous shark-dragging case, Michael Wenzel, pleaded guilty in Hillsborough circuit court.
It's part of a plea deal offered by the state. One of his felony animal cruelty counts has been reduced to a first degree misdemeanor and a second felony charge has been dropped.
Wenzel has been sentenced to ten days in the Hillsborough County jail followed by 11 months of probation. He'll report to the jail on March 8th.
During the proceeding, Wenzel smiled, to which Judge Mark Wolfe asked, "Is there something funny about this?"
The second suspect, Robert Benac, rejected the state's offer and will stand trial on aggravated animal cruelty charges June 24th. He's facing a maximum ten years in prison if convicted.
A video of a shark being violently dragged behind a speeding boat in the Bay drew national attention and outrage. the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigated, along with the Hillsborough State Attorneys Office, since the incident took place in Hillsborough waters.
Three suspects were arrested. charged were dropped against Spencer Heintz last year.