What was expected to be the first day of trial for former commercial shipping Capt. John Merrone instead began with a guilty plea, as federal prosecutors say he admitted to drugging and raping an unconscious King's Point cadet aboard a merchant vessel in 2019.

Merrone, 54, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to all five counts of an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact.

Merrone admitted in court that he secretly gave the "Jane Doe" an intoxicating substance and engaged in sexual acts with her after she became incapacitated and unable to consent.

He is facing life in prison when sentenced.

“The defendant today admitted abusing his authority as a ship captain to carry out a heinous sexual assault on a young woman, who was under his supervision, as she embarked on a career as a mariner,” said United States Attorney Nocella. “It is my hope that today’s guilty plea will give the survivor of this attack some measure of closure knowing that the defendant has been held accountable for his despicable conduct.”

Merrone and the victim, identified in court documents as "Jane Doe," were aboard the Liberty Glory in September 2019 while she was participating in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's Sea Year Program. The 21-year-old cadet was training to become a merchant mariner and gaining experience aboard the ship as it traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Prosecutors said Merrone, the ship's highest-ranking officer, summoned "Jane Doe" and another female cadet to his stateroom on Sept. 9, 2019, and served them alcoholic drinks from an already-open bottle. After consuming the drinks, both women lost memory for the rest of the evening.

Prosecutors say "Jane Doe" awoke the next morning in her bed wearing only a shirt and bra, with no pants or underwear. They say she felt nauseated, had a headache and believed someone had had sex with her.

Later that day, prosecutors say Merrone called her back to his stateroom, told her they had "fun last night" and asked if she wanted to do it again. When she said she could not remember what had happened, Merrone apparently replied that "one thing led to another."

"Jane Doe" reported the assault to her mother and a friend and sought medical treatment after returning to the United States, prosecutors said.