- Former cargo ship captain John Merrone pleaded guilty to drugging and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet during a 2019 Sea Year voyage; he faces significant prison time and is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 22.
- The case, coming as jury selection was ending, highlights both prior accusations against Merrone and the difficulties of prosecuting crimes that occur in the middle of the ocean.
- The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has repeatedly suspended, revised and resumed its Sea Year training program amid past sexual-abuse concerns and new safety protocols.
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