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PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida charter captain at the center of a viral video is facing a host of new charges and citations after authorities said their investigation uncovered additional violations he committed during a previous fishing trip.
Brock Horner, 40, was arrested by Punta Gorda police just days after a video of him yelling and cursing at fisherman Gage Towles began spreading across the internet.
The incident happened in early April under the Barron Collier bridge. Detectives said it turned into a criminal offense the moment Horner climbed aboard Towles’ boat.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was also conducting its own investigation into the incident.
By April 11, FWC officials said they found probable cause to charge Horner with a misdemeanor for harassment of a fisher and cite him for careless operation of a vessel, an infraction carrying an over $100 fine.
However, their investigation also revealed more about a separate March 29 charter fishing trip operated under Horner’s business, Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters.
FWC officials said Horner was determined to be operating without a valid saltwater charter license and using an improperly registered vessel.
Court documents show those violations resulted in two new citations and a second misdemeanor charge against the charter captain.
The United States Coast Guard was also conducting an investigation into the incident. To watch the entirety of the viral video, click here.