A Malaysian man has been convicted of sexually abusing a child while on board a cruise ship that sailed out of Miami, authorities said.

Lay Ong, 67, was convicted by a federal jury on Oct. 23 of abusive sexual contact of a minor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida said in a news release Friday.

According to an arrest affidavit, Ong had been a passenger aboard the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas that departed PortMiami on March 29 and returned April 5.

While the ship was in international waters, Ong encountered two boys, ages 7 and 9, who were playing in a corridor outside their cabin, the affidavit said.

Ong started speaking with the children and began touching the 7-year-old’s head and chin before he reached down and squeezed the child’s genitalia, prosecutors said.

According to the affidavit, the kids reported the incident to the 7-year-old’s parents, saying Ong had asked them if they were boys or girls then said “let me check” before grabbing the child.

Security cameras on the ship captured the encounter, the affidavit said.

Ong faces a maximum of life in prison at sentencing. He’s also subject to deportation after his sentence.

“Abusing a child is an unforgivable act,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, said in a statement. “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.”

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Kai Trump knew more than a year ago that she wanted to go to the University of Miami and play golf for the Hurricanes.

And the granddaughter of President Donald Trump never changed her mind.

Miami announced that Kai Trump is part of its women’s golf signing class on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA Division I signing window for most sports. She actually filled out the letter of intent last week in a ceremony at her high school — not far from her grandfather’s Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach — but Miami could not acknowledge her signing or even her commitment until now because of the NCAA rule regarding signing dates.

How she’ll fare in college is anyone’s guess. But this much is certain: Miami golf is about to be seeing a whole lot more attention.

“We view any potential exposure as positive for Miami golf,” Hurricanes coach Janice Olivencia said. “Our current team is a very mature and intelligent group of women. So, we anticipate that we will handle all the attention with great composure and enthusiasm.”

Kai Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr., committed to Miami in August 2024. She’s making her LPGA debut this week in The Annika at Pelican Golf Club, explaining in a news conference there Tuesday why Miami was her pick.

“I love the coaches. It’s close to home. Great school,” Kai Trump said. “I love the people there. My cousins went there as well, so I know people that have gone there. You know, it’s a great university and I’m looking forward playing for them.”

She’s an influencer on social media; her behind-the-scenes video from election night has more than 5.1 million views on YouTube, and her video from going to the Ryder Cup with her grandfather has been viewed about 2 million times on YouTube alone. And yes, she plays golf with her grandfather, whose affinity for the game is no secret.

“We play a lot,” Kai Trump said. “We have a great time out there.”

Her LPGA debut comes this week courtesy of a sponsor’s exemption. Tournament host and Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam played with Kai Trump earlier this week and said she was impressed by the 17-year-old’s ability to ask questions.

“I just don’t know how she does it, honestly,” Sorenstam said. “To be 17 years old and hear all the comments, she must be super tough on the inside. I’m sure we can all relate what it’s like to get criticism here and there, but she gets it a thousand times.”

Kai Trump is open about her strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the game. She’s a big hitter; even Sorenstam was impressed with her length off the tee. The short game — being able to score around the green — is a work in progress.

“Kai will bring tremendous energy and excitement to Miami,” Olivencia said. “She’s a multi-sport athlete with a strong competitive spirit and a true love for the game of golf. Kai is very committed to her growth, both as a player and a person. And her emphasis on development will continue to lead her to new heights.”

The university hasn’t revealed much regarding what it’ll be like to have the president’s granddaughter on campus, but the Hurricanes are hoping that Kai Trump’s college experience will be as normal as possible.

“Our team is very welcoming,” Olivencia said. “They trust in us to continue to invite players to the program that will contribute in their own way, to raise the level of this team. In addition to that, we’re very fortunate at Miami to have a plethora of resources and great support systems. This class will certainly have the access our current student athletes have at The U from the minute they get on campus.”

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MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Communities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties gathered Tuesday to honor the men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces, marking Veterans Day with parades, ceremonies and moments of reflection from Miami Beach to Coconut Grove to Davie.

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On Miami Beach, Ocean Drive drew one of the largest Veterans Day crowds in South Florida.

The parade stretched along the iconic street just steps from the shoreline, where marching bands performed, military groups saluted, and first responders and local officials joined veterans walking in formation.

Hundreds of spectators lined the sidewalks, waving flags and cheering as the procession made its way through the historic Art Deco district.

The celebration included a 21-gun salute, a moment of silence and other tributes recognizing service members from past and present conflicts.

Organizers said the parade is not only a day of honor, but also an opportunity to educate younger generations about the sacrifices made by veterans.

“So that they can have pride in everything that they do as in any country that they’re in, but especially here in America,” said Marie Escobar, band director of Miami Beach Senior High School. “So they like to teach them how to respect the men and women who who have come and fought for us, even the ones who have died, but the ones who have come and fought for us and the rights that we have today.”

The organizer said that seeing the community come together has a lasting impact on students who participate each year.

“When they realize from seeing the veterans and how the community, everybody appreciates them, this motivates them to come out every year,” said Sgt. David Williams, an ROTC member of Miami Southridge Senior High School. “They get to feel the presence of wearing the uniform and what it represents.”

While the parade ended earlier in the afternoon, a wreath-laying ceremony continued at Lummus Park, where visitors stopped to place flowers, offer salutes and share quiet moments of gratitude.

In Coconut Grove, hundreds of students from dozens of schools filled the streets for another Veterans Day parade that began with a prayer service at the Charlotte Jay Memorial Park Cemetery.

Veterans from the Coconut Grove American Legion Post 182 bowed their heads as they remembered fellow service members who never returned home.

Among them was longtime veteran Alice Eason, who reflected on why she served.

“I live with hope,” Eason said. “I hope that we’ll have peace throughout the world. I live with humility.”

The parade that followed stretched through the Grove’s tree-lined streets, ending in a block party filled with music, flags and families celebrating the day together.

Students said walking in the parade helped them better understand the meaning of service.

“It just means so much because it can show like it’s just a little thing that we’re doing,” one student said. “We’re just walking and cheering, but it means a lot.”

Organizers in Coconut Grove said they were encouraged by the number of young people participating this year, noting that passing down the message of remembrance and respect is essential.

In Broward County, a ceremony in Davie at Veterans Park brought together veterans and loved ones for speeches, honor guard presentations and a musical tribute recognizing each branch of the armed forces.

Attendees took time to share stories, embrace friends, and place their hands over their hearts as flags waved overhead.

Local officials said the tributes, which take place every year, are meant to ensure that the sacrifices made by veterans are not forgotten as new generations grow up further removed from wartime eras.

Many of Tuesday’s parades and ceremonies are expected to lead into additional Veterans Day observances throughout the week, as South Florida families continue gathering to reflect and give thanks.

Click here for more information on the Veterans Day events happening across South Florida.

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