Man returns to Brevard County to face sex charge in cruise ship case

A 27-year-old Oregon man returned to Brevard County to face charges he carried out a sexual act on a child while in a hot tub on board the Norwegian Epic cruise ship.

Justin Dolson was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim under 16 in connection with the incident that investigators say happened in March, 2018 aboard the ship, which was based at Port Canaveral.

Brevard County prosecutors have limited jurisdiction to pursue state charges for suspected crimes aboard cruise ships in international waters. 

Brevard County sheriff’s investigators reported that Dolson was in a hot tub with the girl when he began touching her sexually, reports show.

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Dolson arrived in Brevard County on April 5 to face the charge. He then pleaded not guilty to the charge and was ordered held on a $15,000 bond, records show. He had declined to talk with investigators about the allegations.  

Surveillance footage from the ship – which was in international waters at the time – shows Dolson with the child, embracing her and carrying out intimate behavior while they were alone in the hot tub, reports show.

He will have a hearing May 22 on the charge.

Contact Gallop at 321-242-3642, jdgallop@floridatoday.com and Twitter @JDGallop