Jeremy Froias Faces Charges of Video Voyeurism and Attempted Possession of Child Exploitation Material.
Froias was arrested by the FBI last week for allegedly installing a hidden camera in a public bathroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The camera reportedly recorded more than 150 individuals, including at least 40 minors. Court documents show that Froias, who previously served as a cybersecurity officer for the City of Kissimmee, Florida, is facing charges of video voyeurism and attempted possession of child exploitation material.
The camera reportedly recorded more than 150 individuals, including at least 40 minors.
According to an FBI affidavit, Jeremy Froias boarded the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas cruise ship in Miami on April 29 for a seven-day cruise with stops in St. Maarten, San Juan, and the Bahamas before returning to Miami.
After a day, Froias allegedly installed a hidden Wi-Fi camera in a public bathroom located on the aft part of the top deck of the Harmony, as stated in the criminal complaint.
“After another passenger spotted the hidden camera at approximately 7:00 p.m. on May 1, 2023, they immediately reported it to the ship’s crew. The Harmony’s security team conducted a search of the bathroom and discovered the hidden camera,” stated an FBI special agent in the complaint.
The Royal Caribbean security team noticed that the camera had a micro SD card and reviewed its contents, which included “several hours’ worth of .mp4 video files,” the agent said.
According to the affidavit, the initial videos obtained by Royal Caribbean security reportedly showed Froias setting up the hidden camera and adjusting its angle to capture footage of the toilet. Froias was also allegedly recorded connecting his iPhone to the camera using Wi-Fi. Later videos reportedly showed over 150 individuals using the bathroom, including some who were changing into or out of swimwear or using the toilet. The complaint alleges that some victims, including children as young as 4 or 5 years old, were recorded while naked.
According to court records, Froias was arrested on Wednesday after admitting to placing the hidden camera in the bathroom during an interview with security personnel. When reached for comment, Froias’ attorney, Leo Aldridge, declined to comment, stating that “Mr. Froias has not been indicted at this time.”
After being employed as a cybersecurity officer with the City of Kissimmee, Florida for almost two decades, Jeremy Froias was fired from his job following his recent arrest. A spokesperson for the city confirmed that his employment was terminated effective May 8, 2023, after reviewing the charging affidavit.
The FBI is now seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the victims who may have been filmed by Froias. A webpage has been set up by the bureau where victims can file a report. According to the FBI, Froias primarily targeted cruise ship passengers who may have used a public bathroom on the aft of the Harmony’s top deck between the ‘Flow Rider’ surfing simulator and a bar, between the timeframe of April 30 and May 1, 2023. Passengers who used this bathroom during that time may have been recorded by Froias.
Officials are urging individuals who believe they were affected or who may know someone who was impacted to file a report. However, it is unclear at this time whether any victims have come forward.
Requests for comment from Royal Caribbean have not yet received a response.
