A Mexican national was arrested and charged on September 24, in federal court in Boston in connection with the murder of an individual aboard a fishing vessel off the coast of Massachusetts.
Franklin Freddy Meave Vazquez, 27, was charged with one count of murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the US, and one count of attempted murder within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the US. He will appear in federal court in Boston.
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According to the charging document, on September 23, the fishing vessel, Captain Billy Haver, was sailing about 55 miles off the coast of Massachusetts with seven crew members aboard, including Vazquez. Allegedly at some point in the afternoon, Vazquez assaulted another crew member on board with a hammer in one hand and a knife in the other. The victim then saw that another crewmember was lying on the deck bleeding. Vazquez then struck a third crew member. What is more, there are allegations that Vazquez then climbed up the mast of the ship as the others onboard tried to capture him.
It is alleged that the captain of the ship called on the distress channel, to which a German cruise ship, the Mein Schiff 6, responded. Two of the injured were taken aboard the cruise ship, where one victim was pronounced dead by the ship’s doctor.
On March 9, 2018, Vazquez was arrested in Newport News, Va., for abduction by force, intimidation, or deception, and released on bond.
Vazquez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
