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By Hollie Silverman
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A Texas man accused of killing a woman aboard a cruise ship has previously been prosecuted for assaulting a family member and has other possible criminal records dating back years, according to news reports and public records.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, was taken into custody on a federal murder charge after authorities alleged he beat and strangled a female passenger following an argument aboard the MSC Seascape on November 8.
Prosecutors say the crime was discovered after a housekeeper on the ship saw Watford with blood on his hands and clothing and saw a woman dead on the floor of his cabin.
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Federal prosecutors allege Watford repeatedly struck the woman before strangling her with his hands and arm following a dispute in their room aboard the cruise ship.
Watford is being held in Galveston County Jail on a federal hold, jail records show. The case is being prosecuted federally, with authorities alleging the killing occurred while the vessel was in international waters.
Neither Watford, nor his legal team, has so far responded to the accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The allegations also have brought renewed attention to Watford's criminal background.
He was prosecuted in Smith County as recently as 2024 for assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to a report from CBS19.
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Public records reviewed by Newsweek list additional possible criminal records associated with Watford, including Illinois corrections records involving attempted murder, a weapons offense and drug offenses.
"On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston," a spokesperson from MSC told Newsweek in an emailed statement Monday.
"We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has left the port and resumed its planned itinerary. As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide more details. Our thoughts are with the guest’s family and friends at this difficult time."
Who Is Jason Watford?
Watford is a 48-year-old resident of Tyler, Texas, according to federal prosecutors.
In November 2024, he was sentenced to 15 months of probation and ordered to perform 30 hours of community service after being charged with assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to local news outlet CBS19.
Smith County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Sgt. Clayton Taylor confirmed to the station that the Watford prosecuted in Smith County and the man subsequently booked into the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold are the same person.
Criminal Record
Public records reviewed by Newsweek list at least four previous criminal incidents in which Watford was charged.
Among them is an Illinois Department of Corrections record listing an attempted murder or intent to kill or injure offense. The record lists an incarceration date of March 4, 2010, and a maximum term of 10 years.
The same corrections entry lists a weapons-law offense carrying a maximum term of three years as well as several drug offenses with maximum terms ranging from four to eight years.
The report also contains Texas corrections records associated with the same identifying information. One lists an unspecified offense with a maximum term of two years and a status of "RELEASE." Another lists a controlled-drug offense with a maximum term of two years, although the report says a disposition was not provided by the source.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
According to the federal criminal complaint, Watford and the woman had been dining at a restaurant aboard the cruise ship when they began arguing.
Prosecutors allege Watford left the restaurant and went to their room. The woman followed approximately 25 minutes later.
The charges allege that Watford struck the woman several times before strangling her with his hands and arm following a dispute inside the room.
At approximately 9 p.m., less than an hour after the woman entered the room, a cruise ship housekeeper knocked on the door and briefly spoke with Watford, according to prosecutors.
The housekeeper allegedly noticed blood on Watford's hands and clothing and saw the woman lying face down and motionless on the floor. The employee then alerted other personnel.
The woman was found dead with multiple facial injuries, according to prosecutors.
The complaint further alleges that no one else was seen entering or leaving the room during that period.
What Happens Next
Watford is scheduled to make his initial appearance at 1 p.m. Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison in Galveston.
The FBI's Texas City Resident Agency is conducting the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection and the cruise ship company.
If convicted on the federal murder charge, Watford faces up to life in prison and a possible maximum fine of $250,000.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn
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Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.
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