Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Interstate Domestic Violence Resulting From an Altercation on a Vessel

Louisiana – A man from Louisiana has pleaded guilty in a federal court for interstate domestic violence, which resulted from an altercation on a vessel.

On May 3, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Vincent Turner, age 39, a resident of Port Sulphur, Louisiana plead guilty on May 2, 2023, to Interstate Domestic Violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2261(a)(1), 2261(b)(5) and 7(8).

Turner physically assaulted and abused his intimate dating partner on August 2, 2022, while within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, aboard the Carnival cruise ship Valor. After visiting Costa Maya, Mexico, the Valor, a foreign vessel, departed and returned to New Orleans, Louisiana. Turner and the victim had a verbal altercation aboard the ship that evolved into a physical altercation, with Turner striking the victim in the head with his hand.

Turner faces a potential penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, three years of supervised release, and a $100.00 special assessment charge.

Turner will be sentenced on August 17, 2023, by United States District Court Judge Susie Morgan.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation looked into this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit is prosecuting the case.