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Jury Convicts Malaysian National Lay Ong of Sexually Abusing Minor on Cruise Ship

Malaysian national Lay Ong convicted of sexually assaulting a child on a cruise ship. Faces life in prison.

byEditorial Staff

November 14, 2025, 12:51 PM

Artist's watercolor sketch of a court trial with lawyers facing the judge's bench.

A courtroom artist's impression of an individual on trial, facing the judge and courtroom officials. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Lay Ong, a 67-year-old Malaysian national, was convicted by a federal jury in Miami of abusive sexual contact of a seven-year-old minor aboard a cruise ship in international waters.

The incident involved Ong engaging two boys, aged seven and nine, outside their cabin, touching the seven-year-old’s head and chin before sexually assaulting him.

Ong faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and subsequent deportation, with the case prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.

Laws and Precedent

The defendant was convicted of abusive sexual contact of a minor, a federal offense prosecuted under U.S. jurisdiction for crimes committed in international waters, which carries a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The sentencing will adhere to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and the case falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.

A federal jury in Miami has convicted Lay Ong, a 67-year-old Malaysian national, of abusive sexual contact of a minor aboard a cruise ship sailing in international waters. The verdict, delivered on October 23, found Ong guilty after he sexually assaulted a seven-year-old boy on board.

Incident Details and Conviction

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Ong encountered two boys, aged seven and nine, who were playing outside their cabin in a stateroom corridor. Ong engaged the children in conversation, touching the seven-year-old’s head and chin before proceeding to squeeze the child’s genitalia.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the severity of the crime. “Abusing a child is an unforgivable act,” Quiñones stated. “This verdict makes clear that anyone who preys on a child—anywhere, and under any flag—will be held to account. We will continue working with the FBI to protect young victims and bring their abusers to justice.”

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Ong now faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison for the conviction. His sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Following the completion of his sentence, Ong will be subject to deportation from the United States.

The case was investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ilana Malkin and Yeney Hernandez are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Commitment to Justice

This conviction underscores the ongoing commitment of federal authorities to pursue and prosecute individuals who harm children, regardless of where such crimes occur. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, in collaboration with the FBI, continues its efforts to safeguard young victims and ensure justice is served.