Filipino cruise ship worker accused of transporting child pornography

A Filipino national working as a cruise ship crew member has been arrested in Boston and charged with transporting child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, after federal authorities allegedly found disturbing files on his mobile phones.

Bobby Prieto, 35, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of transportation of child pornography, according to U.S. federal prosecutors.

Prieto had been serving as a crew member aboard the Norwegian Jewel, a cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, before his arrest.

Authorities said the vessel docked at Flynn Cruiseport in Boston on September 24, 2026, where Prieto was referred for secondary screening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

During a preliminary review of two mobile phones belonging to Prieto, authorities allegedly discovered multiple media files containing child sexual abuse material.

According to the charging documents, at least one of the files allegedly showed Prieto sexually assaulting a prepubescent girl.

Prieto later appeared in federal court in Boston and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

The charge of transportation of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.

The offense also carries at least five years and up to lifetime supervised release, as well as a possible fine of up to $250,000.

Federal prosecutors stressed that a criminal complaint contains allegations and that Prieto is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.