Minor Raped Aboard Norwegian Dawn, Attacker Charged With Sexual Assault

Cruise ship rape and sexual assault are the two most commonly reported crimes at sea. Although most people assume that a cruise ship is a safe haven from the dangers of everyday life, the reality of the situation is that these kinds of events can take place anywhere. Being on a ship does not immediately take you out of harm’s way, so it is important to remember to always keep your safety as a first priority.

Late last week, we reported breaking news on a cruise ship rape case that occurred in Bermuda. At the time, news reports had not yet revealed the details of the case. However, today we are able to offer greater insight into what took place.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts recently charged Adam Christopher Boyd, a 30-year-old Mississippi man who had been traveling on the Norwegian Dawn’s seven-day cruise from Boston to Bermuda, with one count of sexual abuse of a minor.

According to the FBI affidavit, the victim, a 15-year-old boy, had been drinking with other passengers aboard the ship when he met Mr. Boyd. Witnesses told the FBI that Mr. Boyd asked the minor for his age multiple times and was well aware of the fact that the boy was 15-years-old. Over the course of the next several hours, Mr. Boyd eventually brought the minor to a secluded area of the ship where the rape took place.

In the wake of this event, the minor reported the incident first to friends, then to his family. His family was able to alert both ship security and Bermuda police. Mr. Boyd is currently in Bermuda, awaiting extradition back to the United States. If sentenced for this crime, Mr. Boyd faces five to 15 years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine.

A Cruise Ship Rape Lawyer Can Help

We send our deepest condolences to the victim and his family as they navigate this difficult time. At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., our team has extensive experience handling cruise ship rape and sexual assault cases for our clients. As a result, we are sensitive to the rollercoaster of emotions you may be facing as you prepare to face the legal situation that lies ahead.

We are proud to be the only maritime law firm with two lawyers named to the Best Lawyers list this year. It is distinctions like these that help demonstrate the high quality services we offer to each and every client who comes through our door.

In the past, we have handled many cruise ship rape and sexual assault cases involving minors, so we understand the care and utmost discretion that must be maintained from the beginning of the case to the end. We vow to stay by your side until justice is served.

You owe it to yourself to have only the most highly trusted and skilled attorneys on your side. Although no legal battle will ever undo the damage that has been done, we will do our best to help you move forward with integrity, so that you can begin to heal.

If you are ready to take the next step and move forward with a firm considered a nationally trusted resource for understanding cruise ship rape law, then do not hesitate to contact us.