Accused Serial Rapist Captain John Merrone Kicked Out of American Maritime Officers (AMO) Labor Union Following “Multiple Credible Allegations” Ashore & Aboard Vessels Under AMO Contract

New York, NY

By: MLAA

On October 12, 2022 accused serial rapist Captain John Merrone was kicked out of the membership of the American Maritime Officers (AMO) labor union according to a resolution of AMO’s National Executive Board posted to the AMO website.

Five days earlier on October 7 CNN ran a story titled “Ship captain allegedly drugged two students at sea, raped one of them,” which reported that the U.S. Coast Guard was seeking to revoke Merrone’s Merchant Mariner’s license over allegations that he had drugged two cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy while at sea, sexually assaulted one of the female cadets and attempted to sexually assault the other. 

CNN also reported that Merrone had previously been accused of raping a woman in Florida. According to CNN:

This is not the first time Merrone has been accused of rape. Back in 2011, a woman arrived at a hospital bruised and beaten, saying he raped her in his apartment in the Florida Keys, according to criminal court records that included testimony from the nurse who examined her. Merrone was promptly arrested and sentenced by a jury to two years in prison for false imprisonment and battery, but his conviction was later overturned in appeals court. The Coast Guard told CNN it was unaware of the conviction until it had already been overturned two years later, so no action was taken against his credential.

On October 8, 2022, the day after the CNN story broke, AMO released a statement announcing that Merrone had been suspended from the union’s “registration list” and stated “AMO will not refer him for employment, pending further investigation, as due process and legal issues must be considered.”

    According to AMO’s October 12 statement, 

It has come to the attention of the National Executive Board and [the AMO National President] that multiple credible allegations have been made against John Merrone ashore and while he was aboard vessels under AMO contract.

Permitting John Merrone to sail and benefit from Union membership poses an immediate threat to the safety of our members and that of their crew and also threatens the interests of the Union.

The National Executive Board has already taken action to ensure that John Merrone is not referred out for employment.

The Union is committed to a policy of non-discrimination, including by Article I, section 5 of the AMO National Constitution.

The National Executive Board has the authority and duty to protect the interests and further the welfare of this Union and its members, including under Article VI, section 4(g).

The National President has the authority and duty to advance and protect the interests and welfare of this Union and its members, including under Art. VIII, sec. 1(j).

On October 11, 2022, the National Executive Board, including [the AMO National President], met and, after considering grounds for the same, voted unanimously in favor of dropping John Merrone from the roll of membership.

In keeping with due process, John Merrone may appeal this action at a membership meeting in the manner and within the time allowed under Art. XXVI, sec. 3(b).

THEREFORE, the National President and the National Executive Board jointly and concurrently immediately drop John Merrone from the roll of AMO membership.

THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD AND

THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT

October 12, 2022

If you have information regarding Captain John Merrone relevant to ongoing law enforcement investigations into alleged druggings and sexual assaults committed by Merrone, please contact MLAA by emailing help@maritimelegalaid.com or calling/texting 302-827-3890.