Ex-captain pleads guilty to drugging and raping a US Merchant Marine Academy cadet on a cargo ship

A former cargo ship captain, John Merrone, pleaded guilty to drugging and raping a 21-year-old U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet on a ship during her Sea Year training in 2019. Merrone admitted to the crimes before his trial began in Brooklyn federal court, facing up to life in prison with a likely 15-19 year sentence. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, expressed relief as the case concluded.