Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, surrendered and was booked on an attempted murder charge at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on Tuesday evening, August 4th, 2026. The charge stems from an incident that occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on July 29th, about half a mile east of Fisher Island during Florida's annual lobster mini season.

According to the arrest affidavit cited by Law&Crime, Simpson allegedly approached another boat at high speed, circled it several times, and anchored about 10 feet away before allegedly shutting off another diver's surface-supplied air, escalating a dispute over a coveted lobster diving spot.

Simpson's attorney disputed claims that he fled the scene, stating that Simpson idled his boat away to avoid further confrontation and cooperated fully with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers. The attorney also noted that numerous eyewitnesses from two separate boats corroborate Simpson's version of events and criticized the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office for arresting Simpson before interviewing these 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," the attorney said.

Separately, Simpson was also arrested for DUI after troopers allegedly found 34 open alcohol containers in his vehicle.

Sources