A 30-year-old Marathon liveaboard was arrested Tuesday after threatening to shoot a roommate while holding an AK-47 assault rifle.
Joseph Allen Pennenga was charged with aggravated assault and battery.
The 50-year-old victim flagged down Middle Keys Deputy Victor Morales at a gas station in Marathon on Sunday. Deputies Harrill Andersen and Cristian Santos also arrived on scene. The victim stated he was living on a white trawler behind a house on the 200 block of 51stStreet with two men — a man and his son. The son being the suspect, Pennenga.
The victim stated that at 3 a.m. Sunday, he turned a light on inside the boat as he was leaving. This angered Pennenga due to Pennenga being in bed with a woman. Pennenga threatened to shoot the victim at that time, but the victim was not holding a gun at that time. The victim stated he returned at 1 p.m. Sunday and was approached by Pennenga, who was now holding an AK-47. Pennenga stated he intended to shoot the victim. Pennenga’s father intervened in an attempt to quell the argument, but Pennenga swung a cooking pot toward the victim. The lid to the cooking pot ejected and struck the victim in the head.
Pennenga continued to make threats, suggesting he “doesn’t give a (expletive) and will cut the victim’s throat.
The victim said he gathered his belongings and left the boat in fear for this life.
Detective Mario Benedetti and Amanda Coleman investigated further. Pennenga stated he would not answer questions without an attorney. Warrants were obtained for his arrest.
Pennenga was booked into jail on Tuesday afternoon.