Celebrity Xcel Crewman Arrested at Port Everglades on Sexual Battery
The case underscores how crew-on-crew assaults can slip through public cruise crime reporting when no United States citizens are involved, raising fresh calls for tighter oversight.
A Celebrity Cruises crew member was arrested at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale after Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies alleged he sexually assaulted a fellow crew member while the ship was at sea.
Investigators identified the suspect as Wigawa Putu Janu, 36, of Jembrana, Indonesia. He is charged with sexual battery, and a Broward County judge ordered him held without bond.
Arrest after Celebrity Xcel returned to Port Everglades
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies took Putu Janu into custody on Sunday when the Celebrity Xcel arrived back at Port Everglades, according to the arrest documentation. Authorities said the allegation stems from a seven-day Caribbean voyage.
The case involves two crew members, and the accuser has not been publicly identified.
What investigators allege happened during the voyage
According to the arrest report, the alleged assault occurred last Tuesday after the two crew members spent time together following their work shift. The victim told investigators she and Putu Janu were drinking and that she remembers taking two shots of bourbon before losing memory of the rest of the night.
Investigators wrote that the victim later woke up in Putu Janu’s cabin, including waking up naked in his bed. The report states she saw blood when she went into a bathroom and noticed marks on her shoulder and back. Authorities said she gathered her belongings and reported what she said happened to a supervisor.
Surveillance video described by detectives
BSO Detective Kyle Schnakenberg wrote that he reviewed security video tied to the incident. In the report, Schnakenberg wrote, “I reviewed video footage of the incident, which shows the victim falling to the ground, appearing completely intoxicated, unable to walk or stand on her own.”
The detective wrote that the footage continues with Putu Janu attempting to lift the victim and support her as they move toward his cabin, with the victim described as stumbling into walls while walking.
Charge, court action, and what has been released publicly
Putu Janu was booked on a sexual battery charge, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office. A Broward County judge ordered him held without bond during a court appearance on Monday.
The arrest report also noted that a statement attributed to Putu Janu was redacted from the publicly available document.
Celebrity Cruises had not issued an official public statement in the available reports, and the cruise line was contacted for comment following the arrest.
Why the case may not show up in quarterly cruise crime summaries
Separate from the criminal case in Broward County, the incident has drawn attention to limits in public cruise crime data compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, cruise lines are required to report certain crimes to U.S. authorities when the alleged victim or the alleged offender is a U.S. citizen.
Because the available information does not identify either crew member as a U.S. citizen, the case is not expected to appear in the Department of Transportation’s quarterly cruise crime data.
Broader concerns raised by crew-on-crew allegations
The allegation also highlights ongoing concerns raised by critics and advocates about how crew-on-crew cases are reported and addressed, particularly when incidents involve international crew members. Advocates have called for stricter oversight and improved mechanisms for reporting and preventing such incidents, and they argue that some victims may face barriers to accessing legal systems in their home countries while working aboard ships.
The case is expected to proceed in Broward County court following the no-bond ruling, after investigators documented the allegation, described the surveillance video they reviewed, and made the arrest when the ship returned to Port Everglades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What ship was involved in the Port Everglades arrest?
Broward Sheriff’s Office identified the vessel as the Celebrity Xcel, which returned to Port Everglades on Sunday when deputies made the arrest.
When did investigators say the alleged assault happened?
Investigators allege the incident occurred last Tuesday during a seven-day Caribbean voyage, after two crew members spent time together following their work shift.
What does the surveillance footage show, according to the arrest report?
BSO Detective Kyle Schnakenberg wrote that he reviewed video that shows the victim “falling to the ground, appearing completely intoxicated, unable to walk or stand on her own.” The report says the footage then shows the suspect lifting and supporting the victim as they move toward his cabin, with the victim described as stumbling into walls while walking.
Was the suspect granted bond?
No. A Broward County judge ordered Wigawa Putu Janu held without bond during a court appearance on Monday.
Why might this case not appear in U.S. quarterly cruise crime data?
Under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, cruise lines are required to report certain crimes to U.S. authorities when the alleged victim or alleged offender is a U.S. citizen. Because the available information does not identify either crew member as a U.S. citizen, the incident is not expected to be reflected in the Department of Transportation’s quarterly cruise crime data.
