FISHING BOAT CAPTAIN INDICTED ON ASSAULT CHARGES
Boston, Mass.... A Jamestown, RI, man was indicted today in federal court on assault charges.
RICHARD WETHERELL, 50, was indicted on two counts of forcible assault. The indictment alleges that WETHERELL assaulted two federal monitors who collect data from commercial vessels while the vessel is engaged in fishing activities. According to the indictment, the assaults occurred while WETHERELL was the captain working on board the FV Jessica & Susan, registered in New Bedford, in July 2010.
If convicted, WETHERELL faces up to six months in prison and a $100,000 fine on each count.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Timothy Donovan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - OLE made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan of Ortiz’s Major Crime’s Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
