A Marathon liveaboard was arrested Tuesday after he threatened to shoot his father’s friend with an AK-47 rifle.
Joseph Allen Pennenga, 30, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery.
On Sunday, the 50-year-old victim flagged down a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy and told him he had just been hit in the head by Pennenga, according to the report. The victim explained that he had been staying on a boat with Pennenga’s father, where Pennenga also lives. The victim said he was leaving the boat around 3 a.m. when Pennenga got angry with him for turning on the light, and he subsequently threatened the victim by saying he would shoot him with an AK-47, although he didn’t have the gun in hand at the time.
Later on Sunday, the victim said he returned to the boat, where he was again confronted by Pennenga. This time, the victim said Pennenga was again threatening to shoot him, although now he was holding the AK-47. The suspect’s father tried to intervene in the argument, but Pennenga reportedly swung a cooking pot. The cooking pot’s lid was flung away and struck the victim in the head, according to the victim. Deputies noted the victim did have a contusion on his head.
Pennenga continued to threaten the victim, leading him to gather his belongings and leave the boat in fear for his life.
Detectives investigated further, with Pennenga and the father both admitting to an argument, but both also denied any threats or battery occurred. They also noted Pennenga has been convicted of battery in the past.
Due to the circumstances, Pennenga was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Detention Center, where he was being held on a $68,000 bond.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
If you have information that could help solve a crime in the Florida Keys, call Crime Stoppers, 800-346-TIPS.