Michael Newland Charged with Interstate Domestic Violence

SAN JUAN—Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Juan Division, announced the arrest of Michael J. Newland, who was involved in interstate domestic violence. On October 27, 2013, Michael J. Newland was taken into custody by the FBI and charged with interstate domestic violence.

A federal complaint states that on October 27, 2013, Newland traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, via the Carnival Cruise Ship vessel Carnival Splendor on a family trip with S.W. (a female adult, hereinafter referred as the victim), who is Newland’S girlfriend, her mother, and her two sisters. The cruise originated from New York, with San Juan being the first stop after three days of travel of the eight-day cruise.

On the previous night, October 26, 2013, there had been an argument between the victim and her mother, which resulted in her mother’s name being removed from the cruise’s charging account for related cruise expenses. The victim advised her mother that it had been Newland who removed her name from the account. On the following day, October 27, 2013, the victim and her mother were talking in the cabin where the victim and Newland were staying, but Newland was not there.

On the same day, at approximately 1:30 p.m, Newland arrived at the cabin where the victim and her mother were speaking and confronted the victim about the cruise’s charging account matter and other financial matters. The victim and Newland started to argue, and it escalated to the point where Newland punched the victim with a closed fist on her left eye, causing significant bruising and requiring seven stitches. The victim’s mother was present when the altercation took place and placed the victim in the bathroom of the cabin and told Newland to leave the cabin to calm down. Cruise ship security personnel were notified by one of the victim’s sisters. The victim received medical attention shortly after.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to a maximum of 10 years for interstate domestic violence.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Soto, and it is being investigated by the FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.