PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — In a twist to the saga surrounding a houseboat that was beached at Portsmouth City Park, a source confirmed that its operator, Willie Gray, has been taken into custody by Virginia Marine Police for outstanding warrants and probation violations, primarily in Virginia Beach and Suffolk.
10 On Your Side had learned previously from law enforcement that the name of the operator of the Troy was Willie Brown. However, that turned out to be an alias, and Gray, indeed, is his real last name, as confirmed by his family.
WAVY has confirmed he is in custody at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
In September, 10 On Your Side found the Troy abandoned at Portsmouth City Park. In a follow-up report this week, we discovered the houseboat had been moved to a dock down river, but the dock’s owner wanted it gone by the end of the day on Wednesday.
WAVY caught up with Gray, the man responsible for the vessel. He said he would get the boat off that dock, so, at 1 a.m., he cut the boat loose from the dock and anchored it out in the Elizabeth River.
At 8:30 a.m., strong winds and currents cut his anchor loose.
Jay Muntz shared video he captured on his stationary dock camera. It showed the Troy at the mercy of the currents. On the video, you can see the Troy coming right at Muntz’s dock, then it hits it, but it caused only minor damage.
The Troy then began spinning in a circle, according to the video, as you can see Gray on the stern and his mate on the bow. It heads toward the far shore, and eventually comes to rest.
Gray explained what happened as he was holding a plank of wood to keep Troy off the rocks.
“I didn’t pull up anchor, the wind pulled it, and the anchor came loose,” Gray said. “It came right around the corner and washed up right here,” — pointing to the shore where the boat now rests.
10 On Your Side had been in touch with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to keep them updated on what was going on.
A Virginia Marine Police officer showed up and spoke with Gray, who told them he was going to wait for the winds to die down and then get it towed to a place across the river to a friend’s house. He said his plan was to pull it out of the water and get it rebuilt.
“I’m waiting for the winds to die down and then we will get it towed, to a place across the river,” Gray said. “It is going to a dry dock — pull it out of the water and get it rebuilt.”
That was before Gray was taken into custody.
The VMRC confirmed Gray is being held on probation violation for multiple felonies in Suffolk and Virginia Beach.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.