Two commercial fishermen were arrested Tuesday following an altercation on the docks.
Richard John Stiglitz, 40, of Marathon, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon — a bat.
Jesse Douglas Woodward, 39, also of Marathon, was charged with battery.
The row has reportedly been festering for months only to escalate Tuesday over the marine radio.
Sheriff’s Office deputies and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were called to Keys Fisheries about 3 p.m. after multiple people reported seeing an altercation on the docks. The Sheriff’s Office is the investigating agency.
A 22-year-old Marathon commercial fisherman was there with a bruised and swollen eye he said he suffered from Woodward. The victim stated when he pulled his boat up to the dock, Woodward and Stiglitz were there. Woodward and Stiglitz work together as Stiglitz owns a commercial fishing business and Woodward is a boat captain in that business.
The victim said he had previously bought a lobster business and boat from Stiglitz’s father. The victim also stated he was in a relationship with a woman of whom Stiglitz likely did not approve. The victim stated that Stiglitz had been threatening him since the start of the lobster season. The victim stated that day Stiglitz said he was going to beat him up while both were at sea on their radios.
Deputies and the FWC also found another victim on dock. The second victim showed a dark bruise on his leg he said he suffered when a baseball bat swung by Stiglitz struck him. The second victim stated he was trying to separate Woodward and the first victim when he was struck by the bat.
Both Stiglitz and Woodward were taken to jail.