A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale has convicted Brent Arthur Gilpin, 48, of Palm Coast, on charges of attempted sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship.
Court records and trial evidence showed that Gilpin met the 21-year-old victim at a casino bar during the cruise. Over about 45 minutes, the victim became highly intoxicated and fell twice. Gilpin assisted her to stand and then placed her on his lap in a casino chair, where he began to fondle her. Surveillance footage later showed Gilpin attempting to digitally penetrate the victim while she was unconscious.
“Sexual predators look for vulnerability,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “This defendant exploited an incapacitated young woman aboard a cruise ship, believing he could take advantage of her condition without consequence. Cruise ships are meant to be places of recreation and safety, not exploitation. The evidence showed he targeted a woman who was unconscious and unable to protect herself. That conduct is criminal and unacceptable. The jury saw the evidence and delivered justice. Our Office will continue to prosecute sexual abuse aggressively, whether it occurs on land or at sea.”
Gilpin was found guilty of both attempted sexual abuse, which carries a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, and abusive sexual contact, which carries up to three years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to federal guidelines.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Brett D. Skiles, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
The FBI Miami office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brianna Coakley and Daniel Rosenfeld prosecuted.
Additional information about this case can be accessed through the District Court for the Southern District of Florida's website (www.flsd.uscourts.gov) or through PACER (http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov), under case number 24-cr-20556.
