Two Mexican Nationals Charged in Alleged Sexual Assault of Teen on Royal Caribbean Cruise

The men, accused of assaulting a 14-year-old boy in a sauna, remain in custody without bond and face deportation proceedings.

Jose Diaz, 36, and Ricardo Leal, 37, were arrested on March 21, 2025, after allegations of forcing a 14-year-old boy to perform sex acts aboard the Independence of the Seas cruise ship.
Leal faces charges of sexual battery of a minor, while Diaz is charged with failing to disclose his HIV-positive status, along with other related offenses.
The victim reported that the men exposed themselves and forced him into non-consensual sexual acts while in the ship's sauna on March 20, 2025.
Both men, Mexican nationals, are being held without bond under immigration holds, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirming deportation efforts are underway.
Royal Caribbean has not issued any public statement regarding the incident, raising questions about corporate accountability.