NEW ORLEANS, La. – A former cruise line employee from Indonesia was sentenced Monday to four years in federal prison after being caught with child exploitation materials at a New Orleans cruise terminal, federal prosecutors said.
Reza Heta Pratama, 29, was arrested in July 2024 after Homeland Security Investigations agents found him in possession of illicit materials at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. At the time, Pratama was employed by a cruise line operating in the city.
U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion sentenced Pratama to 48 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment, an additional $100 payment under federal law, and restitution to victims. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany L. Reed handled the case.
The investigation was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department program that coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide.
Key Points
- Indonesian national Reza Heta Pratama, 29, sentenced to 48 months in prison.
- Arrested in July 2024 at New Orleans’ Erato Street Cruise Terminal.
- Faces 10 years supervised release and restitution to victims.