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Prosecutors: Cruise Worker Groped Sleeping Woman

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Federal prosecutors in New Jersey say a cruise ship worker responsible for restocking guest room minibars groped a sleeping passenger.

Karan Seechurn was detained early Saturday upon the ship's arrival in Bayonne. He is due to appear in court Monday afternoon.

Prosecutors say the attack occurred Dec. 23, when Seechurn used his room key to enter the woman's cabin without her knowledge or permission. They say she awoke to find Seechurn touching her genitalia and she pushed him off.

Authorities say Seechurn threatened to burn down the ship if she reported what happened.

Prosecutors say the 25-year-old Seechurn is from Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean.

He's charged with abusive sexual contact. He's represented by a public defender's office, which declined to comment.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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