U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced that Pankaj Singh Bohra, a 35-year-old foreign national from India, pled guilty to possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. This plea was entered on December 10, 2024, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). Bohra could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, supervised release for life, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Court documents revealed that Bohra was formerly employed by Carnival Cruise Lines. He was arrested in July 2024 at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans after U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents found him in possession of child pornography.
The sentencing is set for March 11, 2025, before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project combines federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals exploiting children online and rescue victims. More information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged the assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is handling the prosecution.