Joseph Nocella Jr.

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.

A former cargo ship captain pleaded guilty to drugging and raping a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet on a cargo ship. He admitted to the crime during his trial in Brooklyn federal court and faces up to life in prison for charges including aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact.

A New York man, Lu Jianwang, was convicted of operating a secret Chinese police station in Manhattan to monitor dissidents. The station was linked to China's Ministry of Public Security and was used to gather information on pro-democracy activists. Lu admitted to establishing the outpost and destroying evidence.

Sharon Gohari, an Iran-born US citizen, pleaded guilty to running a migrant smuggling operation and stockpiling child abuse material, posing national security risks. The operation brought foreign nationals into the US, including a traveler tied to a US-designated terrorist group. Gohari also exploited and endangered vulnerable individuals for profit.