Filipino cruise worker sentenced to 30 years in prison for child porn

Photos from ProudArmyBrat;symphonyofseas/X,Instagram

A Filipino cruise ship worker has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by the US District Court in Florida for producing child pornography.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, a former stateroom attendant servicing passenger cabins at the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas was sentenced by US District Court Judge Melissa Damian.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida, Mirasol had recorded videos of young girls since he started working at the cruise ship in December last year.

The cruise ship uncovered his voyeuristic acts on Feb. 25 when a guest, who shared a room with her two daughters, discovered a hidden camera in their bathroom and immediately reported it to the ship’s security.

Mirasol entered the rooms while the guests showered, hid under the bed and secretly recorded them as they came out of the shower, according to court documents.

Philippine man secretly records children on cruise ship.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol confessed, “I want to control it, but I can’t.”https://t.co/REaahjnruV

— The Daily Muck (@TheDailyMuck) September 14, 2024

Mirasol was arrested when the ship docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last March 3. His personal gadgets were seized as part of the joint investigation by the US. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Disturbing evidence

“Mirasol’s electronics contained numerous videos of children in various stages of undress,” stated the press release from the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida.

“The focus of the videos was on the children’s genital areas. One video showed Mirasol himself installing a camera in a guest’s bathroom.”

Mirasol’s recordings mostly showed children ages 2 to 17.

The Royal Caribbean Group’s security team worked closely with CBP and HSI Fort Lauderdale during the investigation.

Marisol’s sentence was announced by US Attorney Markenzy Lapointe, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami Anthony Salisbury and CBP Director of Field Operations Carlos Marte on Aug. 28. 

Authorities have asked the public to come forward with any information about suspected crimes at cruise ships by calling the HSI tip line at 1-866-347-2423.