Filipino seaman gets 20 years in U.S. federal prison for stabbing supervisor to death

Michael Dequito Monegro fatally stabbed a fellow Filipino crewmember on the container ship MSC Ravenna bound from Shanghai to Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES – A Filipino seaman who fatally stabbed a fellow Filipino crewmember on a container ship bound from Shanghai to Los Angeles was sentenced Monday, Nov. 7,  to 20 years in U.S. federal prison.

Michael Dequito Monegro, 44, a Philippine national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who said in court at today’s hearing that Monegro’s “conduct was unusually heinous, cruel and brutal,” according a U.S. Justice Department press release.

Monegro pleaded guilty on May 2 to one count of committing violence against a person onboard a ship that is likely to endanger the safe navigation of the ship.

The murder took place on September 20, 2020, when the container ship Ravenna was nearing the end of its two-week voyage from Shanghai to the Port of Los Angeles.

Fatal stabbing victim (left) was identified as “M.S.” by court documents. Michael Dequito Monegro (right) was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the crime. US DIST. COURT

That morning, several crewmembers were in a dressing room on the ship’s upper deck, preparing for their shift and waiting for their direct supervisor to provide their work assignments for the day.

Shortly after Monegro saw his supervisor,  identified in court documents as “M.S.,” in the hallway, Monegro began stabbing him with a knife in full view of several crewmembers.

Monegro got on top of the victim and continued stabbing him, removing a second knife from the victim’s coveralls and stabbing him with both knives.

Crewmembers unsuccessfully tried to stop Monegro, including throwing a trash can at him. Monegro stopped stabbing the victim only when he became too tired to continue. Monegro stabbed the victim 31 times. His crewmates were traumatized by the incident.

The captain was able to convince Monegro to stay in his cabin, which was guarded by shipmates. Federal agents arrested Monegro at the Port of Los Angeles on Sept. 27, 2020. He has been in federal custody since then.

 “The tragic impact of defendant’s conduct cannot be overstated,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Monegro’s] murder of M.S. left behind M.S.’s wife and daughter, who was 17 at the time of the murder. M.S. was the sole bread winner for the family, and his death caused significant financial strain on the family.”