Opening statements are scheduled to begin Wednesday in the Brooklyn federal trial of John Merrone, a former cargo ship captain accused of raping a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet in 2019. Merrone faces charges including aggravated sexual abuse.
Prosecutors allege that Merrone, then captain of the American-flagged cargo ship Liberty Glory, invited the cadet, identified in court documents as Jane Doe #1, to his stateroom on Sept. 9, 2019. He allegedly offered her and another cadet a drink from an already opened bottle, which authorities claim contained a drugged substance. The victim reportedly awoke later in her room with no recollection of the evening prior, wearing only a shirt and bra.
According to authorities, Merrone later admitted to the victim that he had "fun last night," while the victim stated she had not consented to any encounter. Alcohol was prohibited on the vessel, and "soda" was reportedly a code word for alcoholic beverages.
Merrone, who is from South Carolina, appeared in court for pre-trial proceedings Tuesday, reportedly nearly falling out of his wheelchair. The trial is expected to last two weeks. If convicted on the most serious charge, Merrone faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.