A Florida man is facing federal charges after U.S. authorities discovered child sexual abuse material on his phone during an inspection at PortMiami following a cruise to the Bahamas.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Steve Lee Lawson, age 45 from Florida, arrived at PortMiami on July 24 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Getaway after completing a Bahamas itinerary. Homeland Security Investigations launched the case after Lawson was referred for a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Investigators said that officers examining Lawson's phone found 14 videos containing child sexual abuse material stored within the Telegram messaging application. Court documents state that one of the videos lasted more than an hour and allegedly contained a compilation involving over 100 minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The complaint further alleges that Telegram records showed Lawson received the videos on July 23, while the cruise ship was docked in the Bahamas. Authorities say Lawson admitted purchasing the material from an unidentified individual through Telegram during the voyage, paying with cryptocurrency.

Lawson has been charged with possession of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors and transportation of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors. He was subsequently booked into a federal detention facility in Miami.

In a statement provided to media, attorneys representing Lawson said:

"We recognize the serious nature of the charges and are committed to working diligently through the legal process to achieve a fair and just resolution of this case."