Press Release: DOJ Brings Historic Criminal Charges Against Ship Captain John Merrone for SEXUAL ASSAULT at Sea
Justice4Mariners, a Maritime Injury and Abuse Law Firm, Represents Two Victims in Landmark Criminal Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2025
BROOKLYN, NY — In a historic move, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against former ship captain John Merrone, alleging he drugged and sexually assaulted a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) cadet aboard an American-flagged cargo ship.
Justice4Mariners, a law firm that represents survivors of maritime injury and abuse, is counsel for the survivor — now a graduate of the Academy — as well as a second victim, a licensed Merchant Marine officer.
“This is a watershed moment for the maritime industry,” said attorney Ryan Melogy, founder of Justice4Mariners, graduate of the USMMA, and former merchant marine officer. “We have not seen the DOJ bring criminal charges for a sexual assault at sea aboard a U.S.-flag cargo vessel in more than a generation. This is a huge, historic turning point for maritime safety.”
“My client endured a horrific betrayal while serving her country at sea — and still found the strength to graduate and earn her license,” Melogy said. “She and the second survivor I represent have both showed extraordinary courage, patience, and determination in making these historic criminal charges possible.”
The charges stem from events first reported in October of 2022, when CNN revealed that Captain Merrone allegedly drugged two cadets aboard the U.S.-flag cargo ship Liberty Glory and raped one of them. Merrone had previously been convicted of false imprisonment and battery in Florida, yet continued working in the commercial fleet for years, and the USMMA continued to send cadets to serve aboard his ships.
“This case is about more than one captain — it’s about a broken system consisting of U.S. government agencies, maritime labor unions, and commercial shipping companies that have worked cooperatively for decades to protect known sexual predators and silence their victims,” Melogy added. “That system is finally failing.”
A full timeline of Merrone’s known misconduct, prior offenses, union expulsion, and Coast Guard industry ban is available here:
👉 www.Justice4Mariners.com/blog/timeline-the-case-against-captain-john-merrone
Justice4Mariners represents victims of sexual assault, abuse, and serious injury in the maritime industry — including cadets, officers, cruise staff, and civilian mariners. The firm urges other survivors to come forward.
For press inquiries or confidential case reviews:
📍 www.Justice4Mariners.com
📞 +1 (347) 562-9119
📧 Ryan@Justice4Mariners.com