A 38-year-old lifeguard working on a cruise ship has confessed to engaging in sexual activities with an underage girl on two occasions inside his cabin, authorities report.
Rafael Cayetano Blanco, a Guatemalan employee, was taken into custody when the MSC World America docked in Miami on Saturday. He is currently being detained on an immigration hold, officials confirmed.
According to a police report obtained by NBC Miami, Blanco admitted to investigators that he exchanged phone numbers with the 17-year-old passenger on the cruise’s first day, August 16. That evening, she visited his cabin, and they engaged in sexual activity. Three days later, she returned, and they had sex again, according to the police.
Blanco was detained when the ship arrived back in Miami on Saturday.
He allegedly admitted to the encounters with the minor and faces charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Records indicate he remains in custody on an immigration hold.
The MSC World America, capable of accommodating over 6,700 passengers and 2,100 crew members, departed from Miami on August 15, with planned stops in Honduras, Mexico, and the Bahamas, according to CruiseMapper.
In response to the incident, MSC stated, “Upon discovering a breach of conduct by a crew member and an alleged criminal act, we promptly notified the appropriate law enforcement authorities.”
MSC further stated, “We offered full support to the investigation and provided every assistance to the guest. The crew member in question has been terminated.”
