A 73-year-old man from Mumbai, India, was arrested at Port Canaveral this week after he allegedly touched an underage girl aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas while the ship was sailing in international waters, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Rajendra Sheth was taken into custody on February 16 after the ship returned to Florida. He is charged with lewd or lascivious conduct and is being held on a $35,000 bond. His next court date is March 12.
What Allegedly Happened
According to a BCSO affidavit, obtained by News 6, the alleged victim told investigators she was waiting in the FlowRider area of the ship when Sheth approached her and began talking to her.
He then allegedly grabbed her on the buttocks multiple times while she was wearing a two-piece bathing suit.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the ship, which they said corroborated the victim’s account. Royal Caribbean security also recorded Sheth on a body-worn camera.
In that recording, according to deputies, Sheth acknowledged that he knew the girl was a minor and admitted to touching her.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident on Monday. Sheth was arrested when Explorer of the Seas returned to Port Canaveral.
How Cruise Lines Handle Incidents at Sea
Crimes committed aboard cruise ships in international waters fall under U.S. federal jurisdiction when the vessel is flagged or sailing to a U.S. port.
The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act requires cruise lines to report certain crimes, including sexual offenses, to the FBI. In this case, local authorities took jurisdiction upon the ship’s return to Port Canaveral.
Royal Caribbean has not issued a statement on the incident. Sheth remains in custody at Brevard County Jail.
