Overview
- Investigators allege that on July 29 a 51‑year‑old man approached a boat near Fisher Island, anchored about 10 feet away, then swam to a Brownie’s Third Lung surface air unit and turned it off while a juvenile diver was underwater.
- Cellphone video circulated on social media and witness statements were central to deputies identifying Michael Joseph Simpson and charging him, officials said.
- Simpson voluntarily surrendered to Miami‑Dade deputies, appeared in bond court on Wednesday, saw his original attempted felony murder charge reduced to second‑degree attempted murder, posted $10,000 bond, and pleaded not guilty.
- Simpson’s family and his attorney say the allegations are false, claim eyewitnesses and a reported Florida Fish and Wildlife interview clear him, and contend the cited video does not show him disabling the equipment.
- The Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office says the probe remains active and additional arrests are possible, and the episode has drawn scrutiny because the Brownie’s Third Lung system supplies air from the surface and is vulnerable if tampered with during crowded lobster mini‑season boatings.