An Ohio couple has been arrested and charged with burglary with battery and assault after allegedly forcing their way into a family's cruise ship cabin and attacking two adults and a 9-year-old child. The incident occurred after one of the victims asked the couple, identified as Gannon Jacox, 29, and Brooklyn Hicks, 28, to quiet down due to their loud argument.
According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Jacox and Hicks were heavily intoxicated when the confrontation began. Ivey stated that Hicks confronted the victim who had asked them to be quiet, while Jacox recorded the encounter on his cellphone and encouraged Hicks to attack. The couple then allegedly pushed their way into the family's cabin, where the child was present.
During the ensuing altercation, Jacox struck all three individuals in the cabin, including the child. Hicks also reportedly threw punches. One of the victims may have caused an eye injury to Jacox during the fight. None of the three victims sustained serious injuries, according to the sheriff's office.
Jacox was charged with burglary with battery and child abuse without great bodily harm. Hicks faces charges of burglary with battery and battery-touch/strike. The specific cruise ship involved in the incident has not been identified. Four cruise ships were scheduled to dock at Port Canaveral on Saturday, the day of the arrests: Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Treasure, and Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras and Carnival Freedom.
Sheriff Ivey used the arrests to caution cruise passengers against excessive drinking and disruptive behavior. He emphasized that individuals unable to manage their alcohol consumption should refrain from causing disturbances and harming others.
