Six Cruise Passengers Arrested on Warrants at at Port Canaveral

Six cruise passengers were arrested at Port Canaveral on July 17 after Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputies identified outstanding warrants and probation violations during routine terminal processing, according to Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

Among those arrested was Martell Murray of Georgia, who was wanted for allegedly violating the conditions of his release in connection with a murder charge. The arrests took place as passengers disembarked at one of the world’s busiest cruise homeports.

Murray and another passenger staying in the same cabin were the first to be taken into custody. Authorities said Murray’s arrest stemmed from an alleged breach of the release conditions related to a murder case, while his cabinmate was wanted on a probation violation warrant.

Two additional passengers were arrested as they left their cruise ship. Veronica Hamlet, of Tampa, was detained on a failure-to-appear warrant, while James Brewton, from Allendale, South Carolina, was arrested for violating probation. Hamlet was released the following day after posting a $1,000 bond. Brewton was later released on a $500 bond.

The sheriff’s office also arrested two other passengers who were reportedly serving felony probation and had traveled outside the country without authorization. Their identities have not been made public.

Whether you’re from Florida or Alaska, if you come to Brevard County and break the law…or in this case have a warrant…you better believe that we will lock you up,” Ivey said.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office did not identify which cruise ships the passengers had sailed on. However, Carnival Glory, Disney Wish and Utopia of the Seas were all in Port Canaveral that day. Authorities did not implicate any of the cruise lines in the arrests. Officials also confirmed there were no reports of onboard incidents or disturbances at the terminal linked to the cases, and all three ships departed as scheduled on their planned three-night weekend cruises.