Miami, federal and local authorities arrested an Israeli cruise passenger at PortMiami on Monday after officers say a search of his cellphone turned up a video showing the sexual abuse of a young child. Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office documents state the man was taken off a Royal Caribbean ship and later booked into county custody.
According to CBS Miami, U.S. Customs and Border Protection received a "suspicious activity report" about 29‑year‑old Basilios Grayeb of Haifa and officers boarded the Freedom of the Seas to check it out. A CBP officer conducted a border search of his cellphone and, the arrest report says, found a video officials described as showing the sexual assault of a girl who appeared to be under 5 years old. The Miami‑Dade Sheriff's Office says Grayeb gave a confession after he was advised of his Miranda rights.
Local 10 reports Grayeb was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and was being held on a $2,500 bond as of Tuesday morning, and that federal authorities placed an immigration hold. The station also noted that booking photos and county records were released to local media outlets.
Port Screening And Past Arrests At The Port
The case started with a tip that triggered a CBP review at the dock, a reminder that PortMiami functions as a busy international checkpoint where federal and local agencies regularly work side by side. It is also not the first time a child exploitation investigation has started at the cruise terminal: a cruise‑ship employee was arrested at PortMiami in 2024 after child sexual abuse material was discovered on his phone, as reported when a cruise-ship employee was arrested at PortMiami in 2024.
Potential Federal Review And Penalties
Cases involving child sexual abuse material frequently draw federal scrutiny and can end up in U.S. District Court. The Southern District of Florida has pursued lengthy prison terms in recent CSAM prosecutions, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office press release. If federal prosecutors decide to take on this case, investigators typically coordinate with local special‑victims units and internet‑crimes teams to identify victims and assemble charges that may span multiple jurisdictions.
Authorities have not released any further details about the investigation beyond what appears in the arrest report, according to CBS Miami. Grayeb’s immigration status and any formal charges will be determined as the review moves forward.
