Crewmember Charged for Fishing Vessel Murder

A fishing vessel crewmember has been arrested and charged in federal court in connection with the murder of a fellow crewmember while their vessel was sailing off the coast of Massachusetts.

Franklin Freddy Meave Vazquez, a Mexican national illegally present in the U.S., was charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S.

According to the charging document, on September 23, 2018, Vazquez allegedly assaulted a fellow crewmember with a hammer in one hand and a knife in the other while the U.S. flagged vessel Captain Billy Haver was sailing approximately 55 miles off the Massachusetts coast. The victim then saw that another crewmember was lying on the deck bleeding. Vazquez then struck a third crew member. It is alleged that Vazquez then climbed up the mast as others on board tried to capture him.

It is alleged that the captain of the ship placed a call on the distress channel, to which a German cruise ship, the Mein Schiff 6, responded. Two of the wounded were taken aboard the cruise ship, where one victim was pronounced dead by the ship’s doctor.

According to court documents, Vazquez, 27, was arrested in Newport News, Va. in March, for abduction by force, intimidation or deception, and released on bond.

Vazquez is facing up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for the murder charge, and a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 for attempted murder. He will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed.

He will appear in federal court in Boston at a time to be determined.