Disney Crew Member Charged with Molestation

PHOTO: A stateroom steward on the Disney Dream was arrested April 10 on molestation charges. (Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)

A Disney Cruise Line crewmember, arrested on molestation charges, confessed to fondling and kissing a 13-year-old girl on the Disney Dream, according to the charging document filed by the Port Canaveral Police Department on April 10.

The port police document said Ahmad Sofyan, a 37-year-old steward from Indonesia, was arrested at Cruise Terminal 8 and charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of false imprisonment. He was fired and is being held in the Brevard County Jail.

The arrest occurred after Disney notified police about the allegation. “Our police chief says Disney Cruise Line has been very cooperative,” said Rosalind Harvey, spokeswoman for the Canaveral Port Authority. “He had nothing but accolades for their cooperation.”

The arrest report states that the defendant worked as the victim’s steward during the cruise. “He became familiar with the victim (a 13-year-old female) and her family,” the police report says. “The defendant did knowingly lure the victim into an unoccupied cabin where he intentionally fondled and kissed the victim... Victim attempted to and asked to leave on several occasions.

“Instead of letting her go, the defendant tightened his embrace/hold, not letting her leave. The defendant only released his grip when the victim told him her parents would be looking for her and they’d find out about it.

“In a post-Miranda statement, the defendant confessed to fondling and kissing the victim in the above mentioned manner, and he provided information consistent with the victim’s statement. The defendant also confessed that he knew his behavior was wrong and that he was aware she was only 13. The defendant is a citizen of Indonesia and is a potential flight risk.”

Disney Cruise Line said it also notified the FBI and the U.S. Coast Guard.  “We have no tolerance whatsoever for the behavior alleged in this incident,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “We are sorry that anything of this nature could have occurred on one of our ships. We place enormous value on the trust our guests have in us, and nothing is more important to us than the safety and security of each and every one of our guests.”