Yovany Sauzo-Batiz
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s Unit has arrested a crewmember
from the Carnival Valor cruise ship for an alleged incident involving a teenage cruise
passenger. 46–year-old Yovany Sauzo-Batiz, a Honduran National, who is
employed as a stateroom steward, was arrested this evening and charged with Sexual
Battery of a person under 16 years of age and Lewd and Lascivious
Molestation. He was transported to the Brevard County Jail where he is being held on
$95,000 bond.
The investigation was initiated this morning after the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by
the ship’s security in reference to an incident that was reported by the victim’s father.
The Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s and Crime Scene Units then responded and met the
ship as it docked at Port Canaveral. It was learned that the victim was using the sauna
when the crewmember made contact and initiated a conversation. The victim then
moved to a shower area to avoid the suspect when the alleged sexual conduct occurred.
Immediately following the incident the victim identified the crewmember to his father
who detained him with the assistance of other passengers until ship security arrived.
