A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska states that Ntando Sogoni, 35, was apprehended in Juneau, Alaska on Tuesday. He faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
According to KTUU-TV, staff members on the cruise ship noticed Sogoni, who was employed on the vessel, trying to launch one of the lifeboats. As a result, security personnel escorted him to the ship’s medical facility for evaluation.
Federal prosecutors have stated that Sogoni is accused of assaulting a security guard and a male nurse within the examination room. The suspect then proceeded to another exam room, where a woman was undergoing examination.
Sogoni remained in custody and was confined to the ship’s jail until he was apprehended on Tuesday.
According to KTUU, the incident took place about 16.5 miles away from Vancouver Island.
FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy’s affidavit reveals that Sogoni, who had been newly employed by a cruise line, boarded the Norwegian Encore ship in Seattle on Sunday, as reported by The Associated Press.
According to the news organization, the ship set sail on Sunday for a weeklong journey, with planned stops in Alaska ports and British Columbia.
If Sogoni is found guilty of the charges, they could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, according to prosecutors.
