Robert Jonathan De Oliveira Ricci, a 36-year-old Brazilian national and former crewmember on an internationally operated cruise ship, was sentenced on Apr. 6 to seven years and three months in federal prison for transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material. U.S. District Judge Julie Sneed also ordered Ricci to register as a sex offender and forfeit the smartphone he used to commit the offenses, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
The sentencing follows Ricci's guilty plea entered on May 16, 2025. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving the exploitation of children.
Court documents show that Ricci arrived at Port Canaveral, Florida, as a crew member aboard a cruise ship on March 10, 2025. During a border search of his smartphone, authorities discovered at least 83 videos and 184 images depicting the sexual abuse of children—including infants and toddlers—had been transported into the United States.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated federal, state, and local efforts.
