California Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Cause Damage to Material on Cruise Ship

TAMPA, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that Rick Ehlert (44, Thousand Oaks, California) today pleaded guilty to attempting to damage a maritime facility. Ehlert faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, on November 27, 2010, the Ehlert attempted to cause damage to the MS Ryndam, a cruise ship, while it was in international waters, by unlawfully dropping the stern anchor on board the ship while the ship was in motion. Additionally, Ehlert attempted to destroy or disable a life buoy, an item intended to be used in connection with an emergency on board the MS Ryndam, by throwing it overboard.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Coast Guard. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney.