U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
A former employee of Carnival Cruise Lines, Abdul Rouvoof Shaik, has pled guilty to possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans on January 8, 2025. Shaik, a 30-year-old national from the Republic of India, admitted guilt in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). He faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine reaching $250,000, lifetime supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
The arrest occurred in July 2024 at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans when special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations discovered Shaik in possession of child pornography.
Sentencing is set for April 16, 2025, before United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project aims to coordinate federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders who exploit children online and rescue victims. More information about this initiative can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, is leading the prosecution.
