Man arrested after altercation in Moss Landing led to the death of a fisherman.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 29-year-old Joshua Timothy Holtzclaw for voluntary manslaughter in the death of 26-year-old Trenten Paul Black of Aptos, following a physical altercation in Moss Landing.

Just before 9am on June 11, officers with California State Parks and the Sheriff’s Office were notified of a boat collision in Moss Landing Harbor. Witnesses reported seeing one boat operator climb onto the other’s vessel, resulting in a fight.

During the altercation, Black fell into the water as Holtzclaw allegedly struck him with a stick before fleeing the area. He was later detained by deputies for questioning.

Later that day around 1:20pm, the Sheriff's Office Dive Team, with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and the use of a SONAR device, recovered Black’s body from the harbor. His remains were transferred to the Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office to conduct a forensic examination to determine the cause of death.

Based on interviews conducted with Holtzclaw and multiple witnesses, some of which were independent with no relation to either party, detectives determined that Holtzclaw and Black were both piloting the boats when the collision occurred. Black then reportedly boarded Holtzclaw’s boat, resulting in a fight before Black fell into the water. A passing vessel attempted to rescue Black by tossing a life preserver but was unsuccessful.

This is an ongoing investigation.

“I have not received anything that says this was self-defense, or it wasn't self defense,” Sheriff’s Commander Andres Rosas says. “We interviewed a bunch of witnesses, some of them which were independent, which I felt was a very important detail.”

Rosas adds that investigators are continuing to speak with people as recently as this morning, and that the autopsy has not yet been conducted.

Holtzclaw has been booked into the Monterey County Jail on one count of 192(a) PC, voluntary manslaughter. His bail was set at $200,000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detective Josue Ramirez at 253-6068. You can remain anonymous when providing information.