Ex-Royal Caribbean Employee Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

Medical professionals define voyeurism as an interest in observing unsuspecting people while they undress, are naked, or engage in sexual activities. Many people suffer from voyeuristic disorder, which means they regularly have intrusive thoughts of engaging in voyeurism, even if they never act upon them. Unfortunately, some people do act upon these thoughts and end up in serious criminal trouble.

Voyeurism is a criminal offense in Florida. State law defines voyeurism as “secretly” observing another person’s “intimate areas” when they are in a place where they have a “reasonable expectation of privacy,” such as their home or a hotel room. A first offense for voyeurism is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida, punishable by up to 1 year in jail.

Defendant Admitted to Secretly Taping Underage Cruise Ship Guests

It is important to note, however, that if voyeurism goes beyond mere observation, the voyeur may face more than a state misdemeanor charge. For example, a person who secretly tapes a child undressing or using the bathroom can be charged under federal law with the production and distribution of child pornography. Such charges can lead to multiple years–even decades–in a federal prison.

Indeed, just recently a federal judge in Miami sentenced a former cruise ship employee to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges arising from his own voyeurism activities. According to an affidavit filed by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent in this case, United States v. Marisol, officials of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines alerted DHS and Broward County law enforcement in February 2024 that a crew member aboard one of their ships “had placed a camera into guests’ bathrooms to record them while the ship was sailing in international waters.” Royal Caribbean identified the crew member, the defendant in this case, who is a citizen of the Philippines.

When the ship arrived at Port Everglades, Florida, a few days later, DHS agents boarded and spoke with shipboard security. This led to the defendant’s arrest and the seizure of various electronic devices he owned. A subsequent search of those devices “discovered numerous videos of naked females undressing the bathroom [of their staterooms] as well as videos of child pornography.” In this context, child pornography referred to videos of children undressing in the bathroom with the camera focused on their “intimate areas.”

The defendant voluntarily spoke with federal agents and essentially admitted to making the secret recordings. Federal prosecutors subsequently charged the defendant with possession of child pornography and production of child pornography.

In June 2024, the defendant agreed to plead guilty to both charges. On August 28, 2024, United States District Judge Melissa Damian sentenced the defendant to 360 months (30 years) in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release (probation). The defendant must also register as a sex offender and pay a criminal penalty of $100.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Today

If you are accused of producing child pornography or any other sex offense, remember that you never have to give a statement to the police. Your first call should be to an experienced Fort Lauderdale sex crimes defense lawyer who can advise you of your rights and assist you in defending yourself in court. Call Haber | Blank LLP today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/cruise-ship-employee-sentenced-30-years-prison-placing-hidden-cameras-inside-passenger