NEW ORLEANS — Abdhul Rouvoof Shaik, 29, and Pankaj Singh Bohra, 34, both nationals of the Republic of India, and Reza Heta Pratama, 28, a national of the Republic of Indonesia, were each charged in a one-count indictment by a federal grand jury. The investigation is being led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“The special agents of HSI work tirelessly in the pursuit of those who would seek to sexually exploit children in the United States and abroad. This case highlights how HSI uses its unique border authority to protect our children while investigating and holding accountable the criminals who violate our nation’s laws,” said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune.
Shaik, Bohra and Pratama were charged in separate indictments with possession of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. If convicted, Shaik, Bohra and Pratama each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of 250,000, a period of supervised release up to life, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
According to documents filed in federal court, Shaik, Bohra and Pratama were all previously employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and were arrested in July 2024 by special agents with HSI after all three were found in possession of child sexual abuse material at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans. The prosecution of these cases is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.
HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours toward investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.
Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
For more information about HSI New Orleans, please follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSINewOrleans.