By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
SIX American cruise passengers were fined more than $47,000 yesterday after admitting to a violent brawl at Nassau Cruise Port that spilled into the Tourism Police Station, where police said four officers were injured and a glass door was smashed during an attempted escape.
The Colorado visitors — Daniella Duran, 22, Gabriella Aguilar, 27, Jaeyln Duran, 19, Irvin Castro, 26, Andrew Tapia, 21, and Jose Duran, 50 — appeared before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows on a raft of charges stemming from the Monday afternoon disturbance.
They faced various charges, including five counts of assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour in a police station, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm, two counts of damage and obstruction.
Police said officers responded shortly after 4.45pm on Monday to a fight involving several cruise passengers in the port area.
The defendants admitted assaulting Sergeant 2406 Ostelhomme, Corporal 2807 Walker, Corporal 3812 Michel, Police Constable 4711 Artis and Police Constable 4583 Hanchell.
Police said the accused resisted arrest and cursed officers.
Irvin and Daniella seriously injured Corporal Michel by dislocating his shoulder.
The suspects also damaged PC Hanchell’s Apple Watch and a glass door belonging to the Royal Bahamas Police Force while attempting to escape lawful custody.
Jose was accused of obstructing officers in the execution of their duties.
According to police, officers intervened in the initial altercation and took the suspects into custody with help from additional personnel.
The confrontation escalated at the Tourism Police Station as officers prepared to search the five arrested passengers.
Police said one female suspect threw a chair through a glass door, shattering it, while a male suspect kicked out the remaining glass while trying to escape. He was immediately subdued, according to police.
Additional police units were called to restore order.
In one video, a young man in a white T-shirt, blue shorts and bright blue socks is seen kicking through the glass panel of a door at the Tourism Police Station.
A man in a red shirt and beige pants then grabs the young man as a police officer comes out of the building. Broken glass can be seen scattered outside the entrance.
The video shows several officers and the man in the red shirt restraining the young man against a flagpole outside the station before officers take him back inside.
Police said the five suspects suffered minor injuries during the initial fight at the cruise port. They were examined and treated by Emergency Medical Services personnel.
After pleading guilty, the defendants claimed they were intoxicated during the incident.
Daniella was fined $16,600 or face one year in prison. She must also compensate Corporal Michel $2,500 and PC Hanchell $125.
Gabriella and Jaeyln were each fined $11,600 or face six months in prison. They must each compensate PC Hanchell $125.
Andrew was fined $4,600 or face one year in prison.
Irvin was fined $2,800 or face six months in prison. He must also compensate Corporal Michel $2,500.
Jose was fined $150 for obstruction or face one month in prison.
Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
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