Carnival Cruise Lines worker accused of sexually assaulting teen
BREVARD COUNTY, FL (KTRK) -- A Carnival Cruise line worker is accused of sexually assaulting an underage boy on a ship, ABC affiliate WFTV-TV reports.
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office says Yovany Suazo-Batiz, 46, was a steward on the Carnival Valor when he approached a young boy in the sauna. The boy told his father Suazo-Batiz started a conversation with him and followed him into the shower where the alleged sexual conduct occurred. Once the boy's father learned of the attack, he detained Suazo-Batiz until security arrived.
Carnival Valor security reported the alleged crime to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office on Saturday morning before the ship docked. Suazo-Batiz was arrested on Sunday when the ship docked near Orlando at Port Canaveral.
Suazo-Bati is charged with sexual battery of a person under 16 years of age and lewd and lascivious molestation. The Honduran national is considered a flight risk and is being held on $135,000 bond.
In a statement to WESH-TV, Carnival Cruise Lines said staff was cooperating with police and the FBI and had provided "full support and assistance" to the victim while he was still on the ship.
