U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on August 8, 2024, Abdhul Rouvoof Shaik, 29, and Pankaj Singh Bohra, 34, both foreign nationals of the Republic of India, and Reza Heta Pratama, 28, a foreign national of the Republic of Indonesia, were each charged in separate indictments with possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2).
If convicted, Shaik, Bohra, and Pratama each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release of up to life, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
According to court documents, Shaik, Bohra, and Pratama were all previously employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and were arrested in July 2024 after special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, found all three in possession of child pornography at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
