local
Former cruise ship worker pleads guilty to teen sexual assault after 20 years on the run
By Amber Kite at FOX 4 News (KDFW, Dallas-Fort Worth) — News
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
A Nicaraguan national who spent more than 20 years fleeing federal authorities has pleaded guilty to the forcible sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on a cruise ship that departed from Galveston, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Why this matters in Flower Mound News
The guilty plea of a Nicaraguan national for the forcible sexual assault of a teenager on a cruise ship has brought a measure of closure to a case that spanned over two decades. Given that the cruise ship departed from Galveston, it raises questions about the safety protocols in place for minors on ships that embark from Texas ports. As Flower Mound residents consider vacation plans that may involve cruise travel, they should be aware of the measures that cruise lines have in place to protect passengers, particularly children. The fact that this incident occurred on a ship that departed from a nearby port also highlights the need for local authorities to work closely with federal agencies to ensure that those who commit crimes on ships that depart from or arrive in Texas are held accountable. This case may prompt local lawmakers to review existing laws and regulations related to cruise ship safety and security.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 4 News (KDFW, Dallas-Fort Worth) — News . Flower Mound News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 4 News (KDFW, Dallas-Fort Worth) — News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 4 News (KDFW, Dallas-Fort Worth) — News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Nicaraguan national who spent more than 20 years fleeing federal authorities has pleaded guilty to the forcible sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on a cruise ship that departed from Galveston, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by FOX 4 News (KDFW, Dallas-Fort Worth) — News and curated for Flower Mound News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amber Kite at FOX 4 News (KDFW, Dallas-Fort Worth) — News. To learn more about how Flower Mound News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Flower Mound News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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