Florida Lawyer Arrested for Alleged Attack on 67-Year-Old Cruise Passenger

A Miami-area attorney has been charged with aggravated battery after an incident aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship left a 67-year-old passenger unconscious, according to an arrest report and statements from authorities, as reported by The New York Post.

Phillip Ortiz, 38, of Miami Lakes, was taken into custody Saturday following the confrontation on the Norwegian Encore.

The altercation began when the 67-year-old passenger told Ortiz he could not enter a hallway that was temporarily restricted to other guests, according to the arrest report obtained by NBC Miami.

Florida attorney charged after alleged attack on elderly cruise passenger, who was knocked unconscious: https://t.co/jbToJ8LGgs pic.twitter.com/bzq5gM5Uj1

— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) November 25, 2025

Ortiz allegedly responded, “Who the f**k are you to tell me what I can and can’t do,” and then pushed the man. Police said the victim pushed back at Ortiz and his wife, prompting a physical struggle.

During the scuffle, Ortiz allegedly tripped the man, causing him to fall and strike his head as Ortiz came down on top of him. Witnesses told authorities the passenger lost consciousness and did not have a pulse immediately after the fall.

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Bystanders began performing CPR until cruise medical personnel and security staff arrived. The victim eventually regained consciousness and was transported to the University of Miami Hospital for treatment.

Investigators said security video from the ship corroborated the accounts provided by the victim and witnesses. Ortiz was arrested upon the ship’s return and charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 or older.

Ortiz appeared in court on Sunday and pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Stephan Lopez, told People magazine that the victim had been intoxicated and allegedly initiated the conflict.

Lopez said the passenger was “bigger [and] stronger than my client” and claimed the man had been drunk before the ship departed.

Lopez also stated the passenger “instigated and initiated the aggression,” including allegedly blocking Ortiz and his wife from reaching their children, ages 6 and 14, by closing a door without authority.

Ortiz was released on bond on Monday and ordered to have no contact with the victim. Authorities have not released the current condition of the 67-year-old passenger.

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