Cruise Line Employee Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact
A Mauritius man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a sleeping woman aboard a cruise ship, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today. Karan Seechurn, 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of abusive sexual contact.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Seechurn was employed by a cruise line and was responsible for restocking the minibars located in passengers’ rooms. In order to conduct this duty, he was provided with a key that gave him access to passengers’ rooms. Seechurn admitted that on Dec. 23, 2014, while he was off-duty, he entered a passenger’s room and encountered a sleeping woman. Seechurn admitted that he touched the passenger’s genitalia while she was asleep.
The abusive sexual contact charge to which Seechurn pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 3, 2015.
The federal government has special maritime jurisdiction over sexual abuse cases, such as those that occur on cruise ships. U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crime Unit in Newark. Defense counsel, Linda Foster Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark, will represent Seechurn at sentencing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the FBI for their investigation and credited them with bringing Seechurn to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting victims of sexual abuse and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
U.S. Attorney Fishman said, ‘Sexual abuse is a serious offense, and it will not be tolerated on our nation’s cruise ships or anywhere else.’
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Newark Field Office.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes