South African worker charged in US

Last month, Ntando Sogoni, from South Africa, joined the crew of a cruise ship while in the United States.

But days later, the 35-year-old was behind bars and now faces several assault charges in the United States that could land him several years, or even a decade or more, in prison.

Sogoni's mental health has also been flagged as a potential concern.

'Memorable moments'

The job he started last month was aboard the ship, the Norwegian Encore. It is described online as “a ship built for non-stop memorable moments” and boasts “the largest racing circuit at sea”.

It can accommodate up to nearly 4,000 guests.

About a day after he began his work on the ship, on May 6, 2024, other personnel saw Sogoni trying to deploy a lifeboat from the ship – it is unclear what triggered his behavior.

According to a statement released a day later According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska, security personnel approached Sogoni and accompanied him to a medical center aboard the ship so he could be evaluated.

Scissor cuts

“Upon arrival, Sogoni physically assaulted a security guard and a nurse in an exam room and entered another exam room where a female, U.S. citizen, was being examined,” the statement said.

“He grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the woman several times in the arm, hand and face. He also stabbed two security guards who intervened – one in the head and one in the back and shoulders. Sogoni was arrested and detained in the ship's prison before his arrest.

Agents from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested him when the ship arrived in Juneau, Alaska, on May 7.

In an affidavit, Matthew Judy, an FBI special agent, said he was involved in investigations “with a focus on criminal enterprises, drugs, violent crimes, violent crimes against children, street gangs and fugitives.”

Judy was also responsible for investigating maritime matters and in the Sogoni case, to which he was assigned, he said the incident happened around 1:50 a.m.

'Irrational'

He explained that after security contacted Sogoni and took him to be evaluated, Sogoni “became irrational and attempted to leave.”

That's when the stabbing took place.

Judy said the injured American woman was 75 years old.

A subsequent statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska, dated May 23, 2024, said the security guard who was stabbed in the head was from the Philippines, while the other person stabbed in the back – in the spine – was originally from Nepal.

“At the time of the assault, the vessel was on the high seas and under the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and was on a voyage with an intended departure or arrival in the United States,” the statement said.

Mental health problems

The May 23 statement added that a federal grand jury in Alaska had returned an indictment charging Sogoni with attacking three people with medical scissors.

Specifically, he was charged with “assault with intent to kill,” as well as three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

An article on the site Alaska News Sourcereleased days after Sogoni's arrest, said his public defender, Ben Muse, indicated he “plans to file a written motion regarding his client's mental health.”

The article also said: “Federal Judge Matthew Scoble called the evidence against Sogoni strong, saying the violent attacks appeared unprovoked, as he expressed concern for Sogoni's mental health and the safety of the community.”

“Discordant” incident

In a YouTube video posted the day after Sogoni's arrest, two guests who were apparently on the Norwegian Encore said the captain, who looked “down” and unlike his usual cheerful mood, had shared details of what s had passed.

“Apparently a brand new member of the crew, he had just started, was caught trying to deploy a lifeboat…Security arrested him, they took him to the medical center and afterwards Upon further assessment, he was acting very erratically, somewhat violent, and reportedly grabbing a pair of scissors… That's quite shocking to hear on a cruise ship.

Sogoni first appeared in court in Alaska on May 9.

Based on a general overview of the court proceedings that Daily Maverick has seen, it appears he has pleaded not guilty to all seven counts against him.

If convicted, Sogoni faces up to 20 years in prison for the assault with intent to kill charge, and 10 years for the other assault charges.

Daily Maverick established that he was being held at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, available nationwide for R35.