Merchant Marine Academy: Federal judge upholds punishment for 2 Kings Point cadets in beach outing case

A federal judge has upheld the punishment for two cadets at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point who were directed to graduate a year later than scheduled for allegedly lying about drinking during a 2024 beach outing for the academy’s soccer players, according to new court papers.

U.S. District Judge Joan M. Azrack said in an order Monday that Marina Ronzoni and Morgan Mitchell, who were on the academy’s soccer team and scheduled to graduate in this year, had received a "fair" hearing on the allegations that White Claw hard seltzers and other alcohol served in red solo cups flowed during the Aug. 17, 2024, outing at Point Lookout Beach.

Azrack denied motions from Ronzoni and Mitchell for a preliminary injunction and summary judgment.

In a 36-page decision, Azrack dismissed claims that the academy failed to follow its own rules and procedures during the disciplinary process and that the cadets were penalized for appealing the academy’s initial decision.

"Plaintiffs' arguments regarding the red solo cups and Ronzoni's disputed motivation for collecting cellphones do not overcome significant evidence of their dishonesty and do not undermine the Honor Board's rational decision," Azrack wrote, referring to the academy's disciplinary committee.

The attorney for Ronzoni and Mitchell did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. The academy also did not respond, but said in a previous statement that it "does not comment on specific matters that are the subject of current litigation."

Ronzoni, who graduated from Riverhead High School, and Mitchell, who's from Mississippi, denied seeing anyone consuming alcohol during the Point Lookout outing when questioned afterward.

They were found to have been dishonest and received disciplinary penalties that included completion of a 45-day honor remediation program and 50 hours of extra duty imposed by the academy’s superintendent, who affirmed the findings of the academy’s internal judicial process.

After their unsuccessful appeal, the superintendent ruled their penalty would be a one-year setback, meaning they couldn't graduate until 2027.

In their lawsuit, Ronzoni and Mitchell alleged that they were not provided with exculpatory evidence. Six witnesses said the cadets were "fully aware” of the drinking, according to court papers. One witness told investigators that Ronzoni collected cellphones from the first-year students, known as plebes, in an attempt to cover up the drinking, telling them "you can’t have your phones because you’re drinking." Ronzoni denied that, saying she collected cellphones in an attempt to foster community and connection during the outing.

The lawyer for Ronzoni and Mitchell submitted as evidence multiple written statements from other cadets who said the two spent the majority of their time at Point Lookout Beach playing volleyball.

The judge also rejected the cadets’ claims that the academy didn’t make clear what they were accused of and that they didn’t have access to potential exculpatory evidence.

"They were given many opportunities to present witness statements and other evidence in their defense," Azrack wrote. "Plaintiffs knew that they were accused of lying regarding their awareness of drinking at the beach. ... Their argument that they may also have been accused of other lies is unavailing, as even one lie violates the Honor Code."

By Nicole Fuller

nicole.fuller@newsday.com@NicoleFuller

Nicole Fuller is Newsday's senior criminal justice reporter. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government.