Debra Messier

Carlos Rafael, accused of lying to federal officials about how much fish his boats were hauling in, has been released on $1 million secured bond. A detention hearing was held Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Worcester for Rafael. Rafael and his wife agreed to place their North Dartmouth home and the Carlos Seafood building on the New Bedford waterfront as collateral for the bond...

The arrest of prominent New Bedford fishing boat owner Carlos Rafael should not diminish the Port of New Bedford. That's the feeling of Mayor Jon Mitchell. "The port is much bigger than Carlos Rafael. Our port has a great reputation in the industry along the East Coast and this is not going to change matters at all...

The most prominent fishing vessel owner in the Port of New Bedford is being held by federal authorities. Sixty-four year old Carlos Rafael and his bookkeeper, 60 year old Debra Messier, both of Dartmouth, were arrested Friday and charged with conspiracy and submitting false records to the federal government...

Federal agents today raided a New Bedford commercial fishing business, arresting prominent boat owner Carlos Rafael and his bookkeeper, Debra Messier, both of Dartmouth. The U.S. Attorney's Office says both are charged with conspiracy and submitting false records to the federal government to evade federal fishing quotas...