Man Charged In Fishing Boat Killing Off Cape Cod

NANTUCKET, MA – A crewman of a fishing boat has been charged in the killing of another crew member off the coast of Cape Cod, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Franklin Freddy Meave Vazquez, 27, a Mexican national, has been charged with murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and attempted murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, the fishing vessel Captain Billy Haver was sailing about 55 miles off the coast of Nantucket with seven crew members aboard, including Vazquez. Authorities say at some point in the afternoon, Vazquez assaulted another crew member with a hammer in one hand and a knife in the other. The victim saw another crew member lying on the deck bleeding, according to the USAO.

Federal authorities allege Vazquez then struck a third crew member and climbed up the mast of the ship as the others onboard tried to subdue him. A German cruise ship, the Mein Schiff 6, responded to the captain's distress call and took two of the wounded crew members aboard. One was pronounced dead by the cruise ship's doctor, according to the USAO.

Vazquez is in the United States illegally and was arrested in Virginia in March on a charge of abduction by force, intimidation or deception, according to the USAO. He was released on bond.

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

Vazquez is set to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

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