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could have bought the
records. Next are the
requests to news media
outlets asking them to Cruise Lines
expunge the information
from their archives. News and Crimes Untold
agencies do not have to
expunge it because the arrest by Charles Harris, Protector and Associates
occurred. Future employers Security Service, Inc.
can conduct background
checks that include inquiries
In 1997, I presented at the National Trial Lawyers Association’s spring conference on the
into multiple database
alarming rise of violent crime aboard cruise ships. After I spoke, a representative from a
searches, social media dives
Houston based law firm briefed me on a case involving a couple from Odessa who had
and Google searches, and recently taken a cruise.
news articles/videos to locate
any information found on The couple booked the Carnival cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. One evening
the Internet and they are not the couple went to dinner in the main dining room, but the wife felt ill. She went back to
required to expunge the their cabin while her husband remained in the dining room. The ship’s maître d’ followed
records. It is impossible to the wife, gained access to the cabin and raped her.
cleanse the internet
completely. The incident was reported to the staff supervisor but was ignored. Subsequently, the couple
was escorted off the ship and advised that attempts to file a case would involve an extremely
Teach your family members long process since they were in a foreign country.
of these possible outcomes.
There are falsely accused Knowing it would be a lengthy and expensive process, the firm retained my company to
people in prison because of investigate the case. The investigation began with discovery and a legal battle to gain
these types of “He said - She reports and personnel records. Access to records from the ship’s Purser’s Office and
said” cases that have no employee records were eventually obtained. Additionally, USCG records and the ship’s
further evidence than a mere logbook were requested and received as allowed by international maritime law.
accusation by one child.
Never allow yourself to be in In 1998, after facing many challenges, the 12th Circuit Court of Appeals set the case for
a place where you are alone trial in Brevard County, Florida, where I was called as an expert witness. Court TV
with someone who could requested permission from the law firm to film this case. Permission was granted, and the
make these allegations. seven-day trial was documented and aired.

My testimony revealed that most crimes committed on cruise ships are not reported by the
About the Author:
Catherine cruise line industry. In fact, victims are discouraged from reporting crimes, including theft,
Smit-Torrez has sexual assault of both children and adults, child molestation, child abuse, harassment by
over 20 years of crew members, kidnapping, slavery, and even murder.
law
enforcement Through Court TV’s coverage, the trial garnered the attention of major media outlets and
experience.
During her placed a spotlight on the cruise industry and crimes on the high seas. This led to my
tenure in law working on and testifying in over 135 cases spanning the next four years. I also had the
enforcement, Catherine served as honor of testifying in front of legislators and federal rule makers who govern the cruise line
Chief of Police for the Cockrell Hill industry. The corporate culture in the cruise line industry in general protects the company
Police Department. Catherine also first and worries about the victim later.
has served as a Private Investigator
for ten years and currently owns
Stiletto Spy & Company In the end, the case was long running and extremely detailed. It required an extensive
Investigations, LLC. She currently amount of time and knowledge of the cruise line industry; however, a settlement in favor of
serves as TALI’s President. the victim was well worth it.

THE TEXAS INVESTIGATOR MARCH 2021 | 19