In a disturbing maritime incident, a West Virginia woman, identified as Jane Doe, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Classica Cruise Line, alleging that a bartender employed on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise ship clandestinely entered her cabin in the middle of the night and sexually assaulted her, resulting in her pregnancy and subsequent forced abortion.
This marks the second accusation against the same bartender, Hoobesh Dookhy, who pleaded guilty in November to abusive sexual contact related to the assault on Jane Doe's cabin mate. The more severe charge of sexual abuse was dropped as part of a plea deal.
Both victims claim that Dookhy misused his position as a bartender to access their room keys while they slept. The lawsuit contends that during a night of shared drinks at the ship's bar, both victims charged the beverages to their cabin number, inadvertently providing crewmembers access to their shared cabin number and room key.
After the women retired for the night, Dookhy allegedly entered their cabin, assaulting Jane Doe and leaving her pregnant, resulting in a compelled abortion and subsequent complications. Jane Doe claims she woke up during the assault, demanding Dookhy to leave, but he allegedly proceeded to attack her cabin mate as well.
During the investigation, the women's room key was found in Dookhy's work vest, and a photo on his cellphone showed him beside one of the victims as she lay naked and asleep. Jane Doe seeks a jury trial and US$75,000 in damages from the cruise line, citing "sustained disability and the inability to lead a normal life."
Spencer Aronfeld, Jane Doe's attorney, mentioned that although initially considered a witness, she decided to file her own lawsuit after Dookhy's conviction. Dookhy faces a sentencing hearing on January 11, with the possibility of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to US$250,000.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter.
For more Margaritaville Paradise incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.