By Trendsetter Tribune 
A Coast Guard veteran was detained by U.S. authorities aboard a Carnival cruise ship after being mistaken for another individual with the same name, raising questions about enforcement procedures.
A Coast Guard veteran celebrating his birthday aboard a Caribbean cruise ship was unexpectedly detained by U.S. authorities after being mistakenly identified as a fugitive, according to accounts from the couple involved.
Jose “Joey” Martinez and his wife, Tamara “Tammy” Verhas, were aboard the Carnival Horizon on the final morning of an eight-day cruise through the southern Caribbean when the incident occurred. The ship was docking in Miami, Florida, on Monday, January 5, following stops in the Dominican Republic and the Antilles archipelago.
Early-Morning Arrest in Cabin
Just before 7 a.m., the couple says they were awakened by loud banging on their cabin door. According to Ms. Verhas, the door was abruptly opened and several armed officers entered the room with flashlights.
She described multiple agents shouting instructions as they handcuffed Mr. Martinez, a former Coast Guard veteran, while she began recording the encounter on her phone. Ms. Verhas said a female agent then entered the cabin and attempted to take her phone, ultimately confiscating it.
Mr. Martinez was removed from the cabin and taken off the ship, while Ms. Verhas said both her husband and her phone were gone for approximately 90 minutes.
Held While Identity Was Verified
Authorities transported Mr. Martinez to a holding cell at the Miami port, where officers checked his credentials. According to the couple, officials later explained that agents had been searching for another individual with the same name who had an outstanding arrest warrant.
After determining the mistake, Mr. Martinez was released and escorted back to the cruise ship. He said he did not receive an apology or further explanation beyond the clarification of mistaken identity.
Questions About Due Diligence
Mr. Martinez has questioned the process that led to his detention, expressing concern about how authorities confirmed his identity before entering the cabin and placing him in handcuffs.
“If it is just based off of my name, what other due diligence did they do?” he said in a radio interview. “What other information did they use to justify the means of going into the room and pulling me out the way they did?”
Ms. Verhas emphasized that her husband has no criminal record, has never been arrested, and has previously undergone background clearances due to his military service.
“He’s a veteran. He has been FBI cleared,” she said. “He’s the average Joe.”
Emotional Impact of the Detention
While the incident ended without charges, Ms. Verhas said the experience was deeply unsettling. She expressed concern about the emotional toll of the 90-minute detention, particularly given the sudden and forceful nature of the arrest.
Although Mr. Martinez was ultimately cleared, the couple said the encounter overshadowed what had been intended as a celebratory trip marking a milestone birthday.
Broader Implications
The incident highlights questions about identity verification practices during port enforcement operations, particularly when individuals share common names. While authorities acted within their enforcement mandate, the case underscores the potential consequences of errors during high-security procedures.
As of now, neither Carnival Cruise Line nor U.S. authorities involved have publicly commented on the incident beyond the explanation provided to the couple.