U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced that Abdul Rouvoof Shaik, a 30-year-old national of the Republic of India, pled guilty on January 8, 2025, to charges related to the possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. This is in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). Shaik could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine as high as $250,000, supervised release for life, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
Court documents reveal that Shaik 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 with child pornography.
The sentencing is set for April 16, 2025, before United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project involves federal, state, and local resources aimed at prosecuting individuals who exploit children via the Internet and rescuing victims.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged assistance from several agencies including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is handling the prosecution.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.