Cruise Ship Worker Accused Of Groping Sleeping Passenger

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) --  A cruise ship worker responsible for restocking guest room minibars groped a sleeping passenger, federal prosecutors in New Jersey said.

Karan Seechurn, who is a cruise line employee, was detained early Saturday upon the ship's arrival in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Federal prosecutors said the 25-year-old was responsible for restocking the minibars in passengers' rooms and had key access to the rooms.

Prosecutors said on Dec. 23, Seechurn used his key to enter the woman's room without her knowledge and permission.

The woman then awoke to find Seechurn touching her private areas and pushed him off her, prosecutors said.

When the woman tried to leave, Seechurn allegedly pulled her back and threatened to burn down the ship if she reported the incident.

Authorities say Seechurn threatened to burn down the ship if she reported what happened.

Seechurn is from Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. He was charged with abusive sexual contact.

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