Captain Brock Horner, a Florida charter boat captain, has been arraigned on charges of burglary with assault or battery following a heated confrontation with a young boater, Gage Towles. The incident, which took place on the Peace River in Punta Gorda, was captured in a viral video showing Horner unlawfully boarding Towles’ boat and threatening him. The footage quickly spread online, sparking widespread outrage and leading to Horner’s arrest.
During the arraignment, Horner entered a written plea of not guilty to the felony charge. He did not appear in court in person, but his legal team handled the proceedings on his behalf. The charge against him carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison. In addition to the burglary charge, Horner faces multiple citations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for careless operation of his boat, improper registration, and operating without a valid saltwater charter captain’s license.
The confrontation stemmed from an earlier dispute in which Horner accused Towles of fishing without lights under a bridge, allegedly endangering other boaters. The video shows Horner aggressively confronting Towles, using profane language and physically grabbing him. Towles later described the experience as terrifying, stating that he feared for his life when Horner jumped onto his boat. Authorities determined that Horner’s actions escalated the situation into a criminal offense, leading to his arrest.
Following his arrest, Horner was released on a $20,000 bond and is expected to return to court on June 10. His legal representation has changed multiple times, with his former attorney initially issuing an apology on his behalf before Horner sought new counsel. Meanwhile, Towles and his family have received public support, with many condemning Horner’s behavior and calling for justice.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the viral nature of the video and the severity of the charges against Horner. Law enforcement officials, including the Punta Gorda Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, continue to investigate the incident. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits further developments in what has become a widely discussed case of aggression and misconduct on the water.
Staff Writer David R
