Carnival Cruise rapist unmasked as college football star with habit of sexually assaulting girls

The Maryland man who raped a 17-year-old girl aboard a Carnival cruise ship was a college football star with a history of sexually abusing girls.

Jalen Thomas Kelley, 22, was a running back at Wingate University in North Carolina when he was arrested in September 2023 for raping the minor. The State reports.

Prosecutors had said he met the 17-year-old aboard the Carnival Legend after a New Year’s Eve party earlier that year and took her to his cabin when she needed to use the bathroom.

When she then stepped outside, Kelley pushed her “face first” onto the bed and raped her, the accuser said in court documents obtained by the state.

‘After a rape [her]Kelley asked, “Are you OK?” the federal complaint reads.

At that point, the teen left his room, and after the ship later returned to a port in Baltimore and she and her family returned to Virginia, the girl reported the rape to her parents and police.

She was later examined at a local hospital, where doctors found she had bruises on her right arm and shin, as well as “vaginal abrasions, lacerations and bruises,” according to court documents.

But Kelley later denied sexually assaulting the teen when FBI agents arrived in Wingate to question him about the girl’s claims.

As news of his arrest spread, another student claimed that Kelley had also raped her

Instead, he claimed that he and the girl kissed and touched each other outside his room before he let her use the bathroom.

Kelley also noted that he believed she was under the influence at the time.

“Kelley saw that [she] was drunk (by her own admission), realized she was vulnerable and offered to take her to the restroom,” court documents allege.

He “took full advantage of the situation,” prosecutors argued.

They also claimed she wasn’t Kelley’s only victim.

As news of the college athlete’s arrest spread, another student even spoke up and claimed that Kelley raped her as well, according to The State.

There was an outstanding warrant for his arrest in connection with that case in November 2023, but it is unclear if he was ever arrested in that case.

Still, prosecutors alleged in court documents that “Kelley has an alarming history of sexual assault allegations by men and women, from early 2017 through September 2023.”

Kelley was ultimately found guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse and assault within territorial jurisdiction. He now faces a life sentence

Prosecutors said he invited a 17-year-old boy back to his cabin on the Carnival Legend (pictured) after a New Year’s Eve party to let her use the bathroom, then pushed her onto the bed “face first” and raped her .

Over the course of his two-week trial, jurors also heard from six people who accused Kelley of sexually assaulting them on separate occasions, as prosecutors noted he was convicted as a juvenile in a separate sexual assault case in 2019.

Kelley was ultimately found guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse and assault within territorial jurisdiction. He now faces a life sentence.

“Sexual violence is a horrific violation of personal autonomy and will not be tolerated. We will hold perpetrators accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron said after the ruling.

“This verdict should send a message to survivors that they are tough, validated and supported,” he said.

William J. DelBagno, the FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge, added that the bureau “will never stop working to achieve justice for the victims of predators like Mr. Kelley, regardless of where the crime occurs.”

“Today’s sentencing reflects the FBI’s unwavering determination to protect our communities and keep Americans safe.”