Security or legal Americas New Orleans, Louisiana · 14 July 2024
Two Carnival Cruise Line Crew Members Arrested for Child Pornography Charges
What happened
In July 2024, two crew members employed by Carnival Cruise Line were arrested in New Orleans on separate charges related to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Reza Heta Pratama, an Indonesian national serving aboard the Carnival Valor, was taken into custody on 18 July following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Abdhul Rouvoof Shaik, disembarking from the Carnival Liberty on 14 July, was arrested in a related but independent case involving similar offences.
Both arrests occurred during routine disembarkation procedures in New Orleans and were facilitated by cooperation between Carnival Cruise Line and U.S. law enforcement. The incidents underscore ongoing concerns regarding illegal activities among cruise ship personnel and the enforcement of child protection laws.
Details of the arrests
Reza Heta Pratama was arrested on 18 July 2024 after HSI special agent Jessica Zuppardo discovered illicit content on his phone and laptop. The investigation was initiated following complaints from coworkers regarding sexual harassment. Abdhul Rouvoof Shaik was arrested on 14 July 2024 after HSI special agent Brian Villaflor identified similar illicit material on his WhatsApp account. According to an affidavit, Shaik admitted to participating in a group that shared explicit content involving minors and acknowledged forwarding these videos to others.
Vessel and voyage
Vessels
- Carnival Valor (Reza Heta Pratama)
- Carnival Liberty (Abdhul Rouvoof Shaik)
Operator
- Carnival Cruise Line
Disembarkation location
- New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Charges and legal proceedings
Reza Heta Pratama
- Transportation and possession of child pornography
Abdhul Rouvoof Shaik
- Transportation and distribution of child pornography
Casualties
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- None reported.
Rescued
- Not applicable.
Emergency response and investigation
Homeland Security Investigations led the criminal investigations into both crew members. The arrests were made as part of routine disembarkation procedures in New Orleans, which include checks for illegal activities by crew members. Carnival Cruise Line cooperated fully with U.S. law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with federal laws and child protection regulations.
Contact and assistance
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): Report suspected child exploitation at www.ice.gov or 1-866-DHS-2ICE
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.org