A cruise passenger was arrested and charged with two counts of assault after allegedly chasing his partner throughout the ship before breaking both her arm and jaw earlier this month.
The FBI arrested Jeff Smiley III aboard the Norwegian Breakaway after it docked in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 6. He’s charged with assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction and assault resulting in a substantial bodily injury to a spouse or intimate partner.
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“On November 4, 2019, Smiley III assaulted a female passenger while in international waters. As a result of the assault, which was recorded on surveillance video and involved the victim being pursued through various sections of the cruise ship, the victim suffered a fractured jaw and arm,” the FBI said in a news release published on Tuesday.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple began arguing about money in the ship’s casino when the fight escalated. CCTV footage reportedly shows the woman fleeing into a nearby elevator while calling for security before Smiley follows her in and strikes her in the face, knocking her glasses to the ground.
Later, Smiley allegedly threw the woman to the floor before striking her again with his elbow. “She once again tried to get away and he tackled her down a flight of stairs, striking her multiple times, and causing her serious injury,” the Daily Mail reports.
The case is currently being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenifer Hernandez. If found guilty, Smiley faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
