Crew member arrested before Norwegian Jewel’s Bar Harbor visit
Federal officials linked the arrest to a broader multi-agency operation involving cruise ship employees.
Bobby Prieto, 35, a worker aboard Norwegian Jewel, was arrested one day before the ship visited Bar Harbor. The District of Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged that customs officers found multiple files on two phones depicting Prieto sexually assaulting a young girl.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said authorities have arrested 87 cruise ship crew members in Boston since mid-August on charges related to child sexual abuse. The arrests are part of Operation Tidal Wave, a multi-agency federal effort focused on such crimes among cruise ship employees, according to customs officials. Those arrested face prosecution or deportation.
Federal authorities also removed six crew members from Norwegian Breakaway in Boston on Sept. 20. Customs authorities alleged that those employees acknowledged previously possessing child sexual abuse or exploitation material.
Norwegian Cruise Lines said it was cooperating fully with authorities and described guest safety, security and well-being as paramount across its fleet.
Customs officials said earlier enforcement actions removed 27 crew members from six ships in San Diego in April and 15 employees from ships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during June and July. One of the San Juan employees faces federal prosecution, according to the agency.