Theodore Pappas, a 47-year-old resident of Fernandina Beach, was employed by Norwegian Cruise Line. He was apprehended in Los Angeles and subsequently transferred to the Nassau County Jail on Thursday night.
NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA — An employee of Norwegian Cruise Line is facing 13 charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and was returned to Nassau County on Thursday evening.
Theodore Burbank Pappas, 47, of Fernandina Beach, was booked into Nassau County Jail at 9:07 p.m. Thursday.
“Welcome back to Florida, Theo!” a post on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s social media stated. “Even 2,500 miles couldn’t keep you hidden from FDLE. Next time, you might want to choose a better hiding place.”
FDLE said they began investigating Pappas when agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. They flagged an online account uploading files with images of children being sexually abused, according to FDLE.
The investigation showed that the account was registered in Nassau County and Pappas was the operator, the agency said. The investigation also found that he worked for Norwegian Cruise Line. Pappas was later arrested at the Port of Los Angeles.
Pappas is also charged with one count of transmission of child sexual abuse material and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
“NCLH takes criminal allegations very seriously, and this is no exception,” Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement to First Coast News. “The employee was dismissed from the company with a Do Not Rehire status. While we do not intend to comment further on this matter as this is an ongoing investigation, we are cooperating with law enforcement to assist in any way we can.”
