Midshipman X engineer surrenders work license after sexual assault charge by US Coast Guard
The US Coast Guard has filed an amended complaint against Edgar Torrecampo Sison, the man who allegedly sexually assaulted former Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) midshipman Hope Hicks. The new complaint looked to revoke his Merchant Marine credentials.
The US Coast Guard opted for this move since the US Department of Justice decided against prosecuting Sison. As the DoJ did not wish to prosecute Sison in what came to be known as the Midshipman X case, there were no more criminal cases against him.
In this latest complaint, it is alleged that Sison sexually assaulted Hicks and encouraged several members of the crew to drink which resulted in a safety and security threat. The US Coast Guard previously requested a suspension of Sison’s Merchant Marine credentials, but this complaint requested a complete revocation of his credentials.
In the new complaint, the US Coast Guard claims that Hicks consumed so much alcohol in Sison’s cabin that she could not resist or signal against any unwelcome advances. The complaint by the Coast Guard now added sexual assault along with the previous allegations of misconduct.
US media reports indicate that Sison voluntarily relinquished his license which means that he would not be subjected to a formal hearing which could potentially reveal new testimony or evidence against him.
In November last year, Hicks and MLL resolved litigation against the company filed in New York Supreme Court for sexual assault and harassment during her cadet Sea Year in 2019. Attorneys for Hicks and MLL have mutually agreed that neither side will disclose details of their agreement.
MLL is a US vessel operator and wholly owned subsidiary of AP Moller–Maersk. At the time of the assault, Hicks worked as a midshipman on MLL’s ship Alliance Fairfax.
