Nearly 90 cruise ship crew members have been removed from vessels at the Port of Boston as federal authorities intensify a major operation targeting child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that 87 crew members had been removed from various cruise ships in Boston since mid-August as part of an enforcement initiative known as “Operation Tidal Wave.”
The multi-agency effort focuses on identifying cruise ship crew members believed to be associated with the possession, use, production, procurement or distribution of child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as CSAM, and child sexual exploitation material.
The 87 removals should not be confused with 87 criminal arrests. Many of the actions are immigration-related enforcement measures involving foreign crew members who are granted conditional permission to enter the United States while their ships are in port.
The latest group detailed by CBP involved six crew members aboard the Norwegian Breakaway.
Authorities said the six Filipino citizens were encountered aboard the ship on Sept. 20 before being taken for secondary interviews at Boston Logan International Airport.
According to CBP, all six admitted during questioning that they had previously possessed child sexual exploitation or abuse material.
Authorities subsequently searched their living quarters and electronic devices.
CBP said all six were then processed for removal of their conditional landing privileges under a section of federal immigration law covering crimes involving moral turpitude.
The action brought the Boston total to 87 crew members as of CBP’s Sept. 25 announcement.
Operation Tidal Wave has not been limited to Massachusetts.
The first phase of the initiative took place in San Diego in April, where authorities reported administrative enforcement action involving 27 crew members aboard six vessels.
A second phase conducted in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during June and July resulted in 14 crew members being removed and one case being accepted for federal prosecution.
The Boston phase has produced substantially more enforcement actions.
CBP said the operation involves its Office of Field Operations working alongside Homeland Security Investigations and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“The success of Operation Tidal Wave reflects the unwavering dedication of our officers and partners to protect the most vulnerable,” Acting Director of Field Operations Julio Caravia said when the Boston numbers were announced.
He added that authorities intended the 87 removals to send a message that child exploitation would not be tolerated.
Separate Norwegian Jewel Crew Member Faces Federal Charge
Just days after CBP disclosed the scope of the Boston operation, federal prosecutors announced a separate and particularly serious case involving another cruise ship employee.
Bobby Prieto, a 35-year-old citizen of the Philippines who had been working aboard the Norwegian Jewel, was arrested Sept. 27 and charged with one count of transportation of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
The Norwegian Jewel had arrived at Boston’s Flynn Cruiseport on Sept. 24.
Federal prosecutors allege Prieto was selected for secondary screening by CBP officers, who conducted a preliminary examination of two mobile phones belonging to him.
Investigators allegedly discovered multiple files containing child sexual abuse material.
Prosecutors further allege that at least one file showed Prieto sexually assaulting a prepubescent girl.
Those accusations have not been proven in court. Prieto is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.
Following his first appearance in federal court, Prieto was ordered detained pending another hearing scheduled for Oct. 1.
The transportation charge carries significant potential penalties if he is convicted, including a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. A conviction can also bring at least five years of supervised release, potentially extending for life, as well as a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide program launched in 2006 to coordinate federal, state and local efforts against child sexual exploitation.
Norwegian Cruise Line Responds
Norwegian Cruise Line has said it is aware of the enforcement actions involving crew members and is cooperating with authorities.
In a statement previously provided to USA Today, the company said the safety, security and well-being of its guests are a top priority and that it remains committed to maintaining a safe environment throughout its fleet.
There has been no indication that the broader Operation Tidal Wave enforcement actions resulted in significant disruptions to cruise passengers or sailing schedules.
What Happens to Crew Members Who Are Removed?
Foreign cruise ship workers frequently enter the United States under special immigration rules allowing them to temporarily leave their vessels while they are in American ports.
CBP can revoke that conditional landing permission when authorities determine a crew member is inadmissible under federal immigration law.
That is different from a criminal conviction.
Depending on the evidence uncovered in an individual case, however, an investigation can also lead to criminal charges, as occurred in the separate Prieto case.
CBP has warned that involvement with child sexual exploitation material can result in criminal prosecution, immigration removal and a 10-year prohibition on entering the United States.
When CBP announced the Boston results on Sept. 25, the agency said enforcement there would continue through the remainder of the federal fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30.
The operation represents one of the most extensive recent federal enforcement efforts focused specifically on cruise ship crew members and child exploitation material, with more than 100 crew members affected across the Boston, San Diego and San Juan phases combined.
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