U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced that Pankaj Singh Bohra, a 35-year-old foreign national from India, pleaded guilty to possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. The plea was entered on December 10, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bohra faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, he could receive supervised release for life and must pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Court documents reveal that Bohra was formerly employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and was arrested in July 2024. His arrest followed an investigation by special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations division, who discovered child pornography in his possession at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans.

Sentencing is set for March 11, 2025, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project aims to improve efforts to locate and prosecute individuals exploiting children online while also rescuing victims.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in this case's prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, is handling the prosecution.