Marco Shark Fisherman Arrested on Embezzlement Charges 

Land-based shark fisherman David Boggs caught the attention of many islanders as he reeled in sharks to Marco Island’s South Beach before being recently extradited to Kentucky on charges of embezzling money from a church. 

Boggs went before the Marco Island Code Enforcement magistrate on October 29 requesting a continuance in the shark fishing business case. Later that day, Boggs was arrested by Marco Island Police Department officers and extradited to Kentucky on charges of theft. The charges stem from incomplete roofing work, police reports said. 

According to law enforcement and years of news reports in multiple states, getting Boggs to complete roofing work was like pulling teeth - something Boggs said he would do to the live sharks to obtain fishing mementos before returning the sharks to the water.  

Marco Island Department officers arrested Boggs on October 29, extraditing him to Kentucky as a fugitive from justice on charges of unlawfully taking less than $100,000, according to arrest reports. 

Hodgenville Police Department of Kentucky issued a press release later that day regarding Boggs, who had been a pastor of a small church in Louisville, Kentucky years prior. Boggs could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. 

“The truth will always come out,” Boggs has said.  

Within a day of learning of Boggs whereabouts and complaints, law enforcement networked to get a warrant and complete the arrest. 

On October 28, Hodgenville Police Department was advised of a complaint filed by a church regarding theft, according to the press release issued by Hodgenville Police Chief James Richardson. 

“According to the complaint, the church provided John David Boggs with $194,791.90 to replace the roof of the building in April/ May of 2023. Mr. Boggs failed to start the work and multiple attempts to get him to complete the job failed,” the release stated. 

Community tips led to Boggs’ arrest on Marco Island, police stated.  

Boggs is scheduled to go before the Marco Island Code Enforcement magistrate on December 17. His court date in Kentucky is November 25. 

Boggs and his roofing business, My Affordable Roof, have been involved in numerous civil and criminal cases, as reported by news outlets in several states, including locally following Hurricane Irma.