Cruise Passenger Arrested for Attacking Fellow Traveler for Dancing Barefoot in Ship Cocktail Lounge

Caribbean cruise

A 53-year-old man on a Caribbean cruise with his wife is facing federal charges after allegedly choking a fellow passenger for dancing barefoot in one of the ship’s cocktail lounges. The suspect, identified as Kenneth DeGiorgio, was arrested by FBI agents after the adults-only Virgin Voyages ship, Resilient Lady, docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to a criminal complaint, DeGiorgio grabbed the victim, identified in court filings as M.A., around the neck and threatened to kill him.

The complaint describes DeGiorgio as a heavy-set male and states that M.A. felt as if his throat was going to be ripped out. The incident reportedly began when DeGiorgio’s wife, Nichol, told M.A. to put his shoes back on. The altercation took place in international waters, approximately 70 nautical miles west of Fort-De-France, Martinique.

DeGiorgio, the CEO of a Southern California mortgage lender, does not yet have an attorney listed on the docket. He and his wife did not respond to inquiries for comment. When Resilient Lady arrived in San Juan on April 1, the ship’s security chief contacted the FBI to report the assault. The attack occurred in the “On the Rocks” bar during the early morning hours of March 31, according to the complaint.

The adults-only Resilient Lady is part of the Virgin Voyages fleet, one of the various companies owned by Sir Richard Branson

Security footage reviewed by ship personnel and later by FBI agents showed M.A. dancing before giving the finger to a woman, later identified as Nichol DeGiorgio. Shortly after, a heavy-set male, identified as Kenneth DeGiorgio, walked up to M.A. and placed his hands around his neck. The footage showed M.A. stumbling while under DeGiorgio’s physical control.

M.A. told investigators that an unknown male had grabbed him by the neck and began to choke him with considerable force, making him feel as though his throat would be ripped out. He also alleged that DeGiorgio threatened to kill him. Following the assault, a bartender on board the ship called security staff, who then spoke with M.A.

The alleged assault happened shortly before the Resilient Lady docked in Puerto Rico

Agents later interviewed Nichol DeGiorgio, who explained that she had asked the barefoot dancer to put on shoes, to which he responded with an insult. This reportedly enraged Kenneth DeGiorgio, leading to the physical altercation. Nichol later admitted that she should not have told M.A. to put his shoes on and confirmed that he had never physically touched her.

FBI agents attempted to interview Kenneth DeGiorgio, but after being advised of his Miranda rights, he requested an attorney and refused to answer any questions. He was subsequently arrested and charged with assault within the maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. If convicted, he faces up to a year in prison.