A Jacksonville man, Brian James Holland, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for aggravated sexual abuse by force aboard a Carnival Cruise Line vessel. The incident occurred on February 27, 2018, when Holland, then 23, sexually assaulted a passenger with an intellectual disability on the Carnival Elation. The victim testified that while in the ship’s hot tub, Holland attempted to touch her inappropriately, leading to a struggle where he forcibly assaulted her. Two witnesses in the hot tub corroborated her account. An examination confirmed abrasions consistent with the victim’s testimony. Holland was convicted in July 2018 and sentenced later that year.
This case highlights the serious issue of sexual misconduct on cruise ships. In December 2024, James Thomas Kelley, a 22-year-old college football player, was convicted of raping a 17-yea
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