Waiter Suspected of Sexual Assault On A Princess Cruise Arraigned
March 30, 2009 (by Aaron Marcus)
According to reports a waiter identified as Jorge Teixeria who has been charged with alleged aggravated sexual abuse was arraigned in Los Angeles District Court.This is a crime that cruise ship rape lawyers have often warned of and once again, it appears will result in a possible conviction of the alleged rapist.
Teixeria age 38, is a Portuguese national and was deemed a flight risk at his bail hearing and will be held in custody until his trial. Teixeria has worked on cruise ships for 18 years and if convicted of the charges could be sentenced to life in prison.
According to court documents the charges against Teixeria stem from a March 5th incident aboard the Coral Princess while it was off the Coast of Mexico. He was charged after an unidentified 42 year old U.S. citizen made a criminal complaint.
It has been reported that the woman stated she had met the waiter in the dinning room, were Teixeria was the headwaiter. She and the waiter had shared some wine and she claims in the affidavit that after this he forced her to perform a sex act and assaulted her.
The Princess Cruise line claims that after the crime was reported the area where the assault took place was sealed off and Teixeria was restricted to his quarters, where he was guarded by security personnel.
According to the Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema M. El-Amamy, Teixeria admitted meeting the woman and stated that he touched her leg and another part of her body when they left the table. Teixeria denies sexually attacking the woman according to El-Amamy.
