Prison or Probation? Carlos Rafael Sentencing Begins Today

BOSTON - Carlos Rafael, New Bedford's most prominent fisherman, is scheduled to be sentenced this week in federal court in Boston.

The proceedings are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

The "codfather's" defense team is asking for 24 months of probation after Rafael pleaded guilty earlier this year to falsifying catch reports to federal observers and smuggling unclaimed profits to Portugal with the help of at least two Bristol County Sheriff's Department officers, Captain James Melo and Deputy Antonio Freitas.

Prosecutors are seeking more than four years in prison for Rafael.

Rafael is the owner of Carlos Seafood, Inc., in New Bedford, which controls more than 30 fishing vessels and 44 commercial fishing permits.

U.S. District Court Judge William Young will also decide the fate of 13 of Rafael's fishing permits and vessels, which were used in the scheme to skirt federal regulations.