A former cargo ship captain has pleaded guilty to drugging and raping a 21-year-old U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet who was working on the vessel as part of the academy’s Sea Year training program. John Merrone, 53, entered his plea Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court as his trial was about to commence.
Merrone admitted to having sexual intercourse with the cadet without her consent after incapacitating her with an intoxicant in 2019. The incident occurred on the ship while it was at sea. A jury had been selected, and the cadet, identified as Jane Doe, was present in the courthouse, awaiting her turn to testify. Prosecutors also intended to present testimony from other women who have accused Merrone of sexual assaults spanning three decades.
According to prosecutors, Merrone began sending messages to the cadet and another student a few weeks before they boarded his ship, the Liberty Glory, for a voyage from Bahrain to Corpus Christi, Texas. On September 9, 2019, Merrone invited the cadet and her friend to his room for a drink. He poured them each a drink from an opened bottle of alcohol and then poured himself a drink from a new bottle. Soon after consuming the drinks, both women lost consciousness and had no recollection of the remainder of the evening.
The cadet awoke the next morning in her bed feeling nauseous and experiencing vaginal discomfort, wearing only a shirt and bra. Her friend reported stomach cramping and a severe headache. Merrone later approached the cadet, remarking that they had "fun last night" and that "one thing led to another." When the cadet stated she did not remember the encounter and that it was not consensual, Merrone offered her money, which she refused. Prosecutors also noted that Merrone later sent the cadet a photograph of herself holding money, which she did not recall being taken.
Merrone faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest a term of approximately 15 to 19 years, though the judge could impose a sentence outside this range. Merrone will remain free on bail until his sentencing, scheduled for December 22.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, New York, trains cadets for the commercial shipping industry. The academy has faced scrutiny over its Sea Year program, which places cadets on commercial vessels. The program was temporarily suspended in 2016 due to concerns about sexual abuse and bullying, resuming in 2017 with new preventive policies. It was suspended again in 2021 following another cadet's report of sexual assault, and later resumed with enhanced safety protocols.
"It is my hope that today’s guilty plea will give the survivor of this attack some measure of closure knowing that the defendant has been held accountable for his despicable conduct," stated U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. in a press release.