A crew member of Disney Cruise Line, Tirso Neri, 44, from the Philippines, faced arrest on Monday, marking the third case of child pornography allegations involving employees of the cruise company this year.
Neri, a crew member aboard the Disney Dream ship, was apprehended by U.S. Border Control and Homeland Security agents after a search of his phone revealed sexually explicit images and videos of children as young as 9 years old, according to a criminal complaint reported by Local 10 News.
NEW: Third Disney Cruise Line crew member busted on child pornography charges.
Tirso Neri, a 44-year-old crew member on the Disney Dream ship, was arrested by the law enforcement who discovered sexually explicit images and videos of girls as young as 9 on his phone.
Neri, who… pic.twitter.com/yJFYsCvvi8
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) April 17, 2024
The investigation into Neri commenced on Dec. 18, following a search of his cabin by agents when the Disney Dream ship docked at Port Everglades port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from the Bahamas.
Agents confiscated two phones from Neri, uncovering numerous sexually explicit photographs and videos of young children, including explicit material involving a 17-year-old girl, confirmed through her passport details found on Neri’s device.
Despite Neri’s claims that he obtained explicit content through online group chats without reviewing it, a forensic examination of his phone contradicted his assertions, revealing deliberate actions in saving and viewing the illegal material.
Neri faces charges of possession and transportation of child pornography and is currently held at Broward Main Jail. Disney Cruise Line confirmed Neri’s termination, stating, “In accordance with our zero-tolerance policy for this kind of alleged behavior, this individual is no longer with the company.”
This incident follows similar arrests of two other Disney Cruise Line employees earlier this year.
