What started as a routine lobster diving trip off the scenic Florida coast spiraled into chaos, culminating in an underwater ordeal. Authorities allege that a diver, in a shocking turn of events, partially shut off the air supply for another diver, leading to arrest on charges of attempted murder.
Michael Joseph Simpson, aged 51, turned himself in to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on Tuesday. Jail records confirm that he was processed in the evening on serious charges of attempted murder, with his bail set at a substantial $10,000.
Local 10 News reports that this dramatic incident unfolded in the early hours, just after 7 a.m. on July 29. It occurred around half a mile east of Fisher Island, right in the thick of Florida’s much-anticipated annual lobster mini season.
As outlined in the arrest affidavit, cited by Law&Crime, Simpson allegedly approached another boat, navigating it at alarming speed. He reportedly circled the boat multiple times before finally anchoring a mere 10 feet away.
Tensions reportedly flared when Simpson accused the divers of encroaching on “his spot.” He also issued a warning about an impending arrival of a larger boat, which subsequently did anchor close by, exacerbating the conflict.
Authorities allege Simpson then threatened to turn off the surface-supplied air system providing oxygen to an 18-year-old diver searching for lobsters.
Investigators say Simpson jumped into the water and intentionally shut off the unit.
As the confrontation unfolded, witnesses yelled, “We have a diver down there you a–hole!” according to the arrest affidavit cited by Law&Crime.
The diver’s boat owner jumped into the water and pulled him to the surface.
The diver was gasping for air and appeared disoriented but was not injured, Local 10 reported.
Investigators allege Simpson left before deputies arrived.
After authorities identified him as the suspect, Simpson voluntarily surrendered Tuesday, according to Local 10.
Simpson’s attorney, Howard Srebnick, strongly denied the allegations in a statement to Fox News Digital, arguing investigators ignored evidence and witnesses he says support his client’s account.
Srebnick said Simpson was diving from his own boat with friends and his two young children and “never disabled anyone’s diving equipment.”
Srebnick said video shows one of the accusers becoming entangled in the Brownie’s Third Lung air system while Simpson “was nowhere near it.”
He also disputed investigators’ allegation that Simpson fled, saying his client instead idled his boat away from the immediate area to avoid escalating the confrontation before cooperating with responding Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and providing a statement.
Srebnick said numerous eyewitnesses aboard two separate boats corroborated Simpson’s version of events and criticized the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office for arresting his client before interviewing what he described as exculpatory witnesses.
“We are optimistic that the State Attorney’s Office, after reviewing the video and interviewing all the eyewitnesses, will dismiss the charges, clear his name, and restore the reputation he has spent a lifetime building,” Srebnick said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office for additional comment.