comment on this story
A passenger has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly hiding a camera in the bathroom of one of the world’s largest cruise ships, capturing footage of more than 150 people, including dozens of children.
Jeremy Frias, who until this week worked as a cyber security officer for the central Florida city of Kissimmee, was arrested in Puerto Rico on May 3 for video eavesdropping and attempted possession of child abuse material Was.
He boarded Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas on April 29 for a weeklong voyage with stops in St. Maarten, San Juan and the Bahamas.
The next day, according to an arrest affidavit, he hid a WiFi camera and a surfing simulator called FlowRider in a bathroom on the ship’s top deck near a bar. The charging document states that Freyas placed it in the section of wall above the door that had been removed for repairs. The ship can hold 5,479 guests with two people in a single cabin, or a maximum of approximately 6,700 people.
Only the lens was visible, but another passenger saw it on the night of 1 May and reported it to the crew. An arrest affidavit states that security officers found “several hours’ worth” of video files on a memory card on board.
Jury says Carnival Cruise Line rape victim is owed $10 million
“We are aware of an incident that occurred aboard Harmony of the Seas on April 29,” the cruise company said in a statement. ,Case Local and federal law enforcement were immediately notified and the guest involved was removed from the ship by authorities for further investigation. Since this is an active case, we are unable to share further details at this time.”
The footage first shows Freyas hiding the camera and pointing it at the toilet. The affidavit said Fryas also connected his iPhone to the camera. At the time the cameras were installed, videos were captured of more than 150 people, including at least 40 minors.
“Individuals are seen coming into the bathroom either to use the restroom or to change into or out of swimsuits,” the affidavit said. “Froyas’ cameras captured these individuals in various stages, including capturing videos of their naked genitals, buttocks and female breasts.”
San Juan-based FBI agent John Aucher, who wrote the affidavit, wrote that some of the children recorded were as young as 4 or 5. The FBI is asking anyone who believes they or their children were victims – or who have information related to the case – to fill out a form.
Interviewed by security personnel on the ship around midnight on 1 May, Frias admitted that he planted the camera in the bathroom and said that he realized it had been searched earlier that evening when he tried but failed to find it in the bathroom. Stayed. The footage shows that he returned to the bathroom at some point that day to adjust the camera angle.
Is Cruising Safe? Most of the time, but be aware of what can go wrong.
In a brief email, Leonardo Aldridge, the San Juan-based attorney representing Frias, declined to comment on the case.
“Mr. Frias has not been indicted at this time,” he wrote. “Therefore, I have no comment.”
Frias appeared in court on Monday for a bail hearing in Puerto Rico. A judge said he could be released on $25,000 bond, but would be required to use an electronic monitoring device, surrender his passport and limit his travel to Puerto Rico. She is not allowed to use the Internet or be accompanied by anyone under the age of 18, including her own two children.
Stephanie Bechera, public affairs manager for Kissimmee — a central Florida city near Walt Disney World — said in an email that Frias was originally hired in April of 2004.
Poor wrote, “After reviewing the allegation affidavit involving Jeremy Fryes, we have terminated his employment effective May 8, 2023.”
Source