A former cargo ship captain has pleaded guilty to drugging and raping a Merchant Marine Academy cadet, a plea agreement reached just hours before his trial was scheduled to begin. John Merrone, 54, admitted to the five counts in a sex crimes indictment on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on September 8, 2019, aboard the American-flagged cargo ship Liberty Glory. Merrone acknowledged in court that he knowingly gave the victim, who was in her early 20s at the time, an intoxicant without her consent. He then had sexual intercourse with her without her consent after she became incapacitated. Federal prosecutors stated that Merrone, of South Carolina, administered a date-rape drug to the cadet's drink while the vessel was en route from Bahrain to Corpus Christi, Texas.
According to court documents, Merrone had befriended the victim via Facebook before she joined the ship and continued to communicate with her during the voyage. He reportedly invited the cadet and another individual to his stateroom, referring to a beverage as "soda," which was an alias for alcohol as it was banned on the ship. Merrone allegedly texted the victim, "U may like my soda!?!".
Prosecutors claim that Merrone served drinks from an opened bottle of alcohol to the two women, while he drank from his own freshly opened bottle. He then began asking the women sexual questions before they both lost consciousness. Both women woke up in their respective rooms the following morning with no memory of how they returned to their bunks.
The victim later confronted Merrone, who allegedly commented that he "had fun last night" and suggested repeating the encounter, despite the victim stating she did not consent. Merrone told the court that he has been sober for the past four and a half years.
Merrone faces a potential life sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kayla Bensing indicated that prosecutors would recommend a sentence of 188 to 235 months in prison, though the judge will determine the final sentence. Merrone has reportedly been accused of drugging or rape by at least five women. He had a previous conviction in 2011 for false imprisonment and battery, related to a rape accusation, but the conviction was later overturned on appeal. Merrone is scheduled to be sentenced on December 22.