Bristol County Sheriff’s Captain Convicted in Plot

BOSTON — A Bristol County sheriff's office captain has been convicted of helping a fishing magnate known as The Codfather smuggle profits of an illegal fishing scheme to Portugal.

The U.S. attorney's office says Jamie Melo was convicted Monday of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and structuring the export of monetary instruments. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office captain was acquitted of bulk cash smuggling.

Prosecutors say Melo asked friends and travel companies to carry envelopes of cash on a flight to Portugal for fishing magnate Carlos Rafael. Rafael pleaded guilty to charges including tax evasion and false labeling and fish identification.

Melo's lawyer didn't immediately respond to an email Monday. An attorney for Melo has said Melo had no reason to believe he was engaging in criminal activity at the time.