Cruise line worker admits having explicit images of teen met in trip from Tampa

TAMPA — A former employee of the Norwegian Star cruise line who had sex with a 16-year-old passenger has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to a charge that could send him to prison for 10 years.

Senad Djedovic, 29, who was an assistant cruise director, has agreed to plead guilty to possessing child pornography after the teen sent him explicit pictures of herself, according to a plea agreement filed Monday in U.S. District Court.

Djedovic, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also sent explicit shots of himself via email to the girl, who lived in Minnesota.

He was arrested at the Port of Tampa in March.

An investigation was opened Feb. 27 when a Norwegian crew member notified ship security that Djedovic showed photographs of the teenager to him and other employees.

The next day, the cruise line alerted the FBI.

Djedovic met the 16-year-old victim on a trip that departed Tampa Jan. 29 and returned Feb. 5, according to an FBI affidavit.

The 16-year-old was traveling with her parents.

The ship's internal security team obtained a signed statement from Djedovic dated Feb. 28.

In it, Djedovic admitted to having sexual contact with the victim on a staircase on the ship, right after the cruise had stopped at Costa Maya, Mexico.

"I wish you said yes way earlier than the last day because we would have way more fun," Djedovic wrote to her in an email, according to the plea agreement. "I miss you big time … you little young girl."

Investigators say Djedovic stored about 20 photos of the victim from multiple emails that appear to have been sent from Minnesota while he was at sea.

She wore clothes in some but was naked in most.

After he consented to a search of his computer, the FBI found additional videos and photos of minors engaging in sexual activities, investigators said.

Djedovic also acknowledged after his arrest that he knew the girl's age when he possessed the explicit images of her.

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.