A Philippine national was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, who worked as a stateroom attendant on the Symphony of the Seas, was apprehended after a hidden camera was discovered in a guest’s bathroom, leading to a broader investigation that uncovered numerous illicit recordings involving children.
The case began on February 25, when a guest aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, discovered a hidden camera affixed to the counter under the sink in their bathroom. The guest immediately reported the camera to ship security.
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Mirasol, who worked as a stateroom attendant servicing passenger cabins, was detained by ship security until the cruise ship docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 3.
Upon docking, personnel from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) boarded the ship and initiated an investigation. A search of Mirasol’s electronics revealed numerous videos depicting children in various stages of undress, with a particular focus on their genital areas. One video even captured Mirasol installing a hidden camera in a guest’s bathroom.
According to court documents, Mirasol had placed hidden cameras in passenger cabins since December 2023. He would enter the guests’ rooms while they were showering, then hide under their beds to secretly record them as they exited the shower.
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U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by HSI Fort Lauderdale, with assistance from CBP and Royal Caribbean Group security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Koontz prosecuted the case.
Anyone with information regarding suspected crimes on cruise ships, including sexual abuse or child pornography offenses, is encouraged to contact the HSI tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
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