Sen. Hatch provides update on Utah man imprisoned in Venezuela

Written by Ric Wayman
November 8, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — A video update Tuesday on the case of Joshua Holt, a Utah man held in a Venezuelan prison on false charges, was provided Tuesday by Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Joshua Holt of Riverton, Utah, with his new wife, Tamara. Joshua Holt has been charged with weapons violations that have been linked with the death of a government official in Venezuela. Undated | Photo courtesy of 'Justice for Josh' Facebook page, St. George News
Joshua Holt of Riverton, Utah, with his new wife, Tamara. Joshua Holt has been charged with weapons violations that have been linked with the death of a government official in Venezuela. Undated | Photo courtesy of ‘Justice for Josh’ Facebook page, St. George News

“The Venezuelan Government knows that we will not relent until Josh is reunited with his family here in the United States,” Hatch said in a press release accompanying the video.

Holt has been in jail in Venezuela since his arrest on June 30 on alleged weapons possession charges, weapons his family believes were planted in his apartment for political purposes.

Holt’s health is declining as he sits in a Caracas prison, family members said.

READ MORE: Utah man imprisoned in Venezuela needs medical help

Holt is described by Venezuelan officials as an agent of U.S. intelligence and a dangerous terrorist.

However, Holt’s family members said he traveled to Venezuela to marry a woman and bring her and her two children back to the United States, the Washington Post reported in August.

Following their honeymoon, it was the couple’s plan to return to the United States, however Holt was arrested and charged with possession of weapons.

An Oct. 11 court hearing for Holt was delayed after the judge failed to show for a second time.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"I wrote my first word when I was very young. I enjoyed this so much I decided to write many more words." A native of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ric was bitten by the news bug as a staff writer and associate editor of the Palisades High School Tideline. After school he entered the media as a radio personality, both playing music and reporting news. Ric moved to St. George in the 1980s and was the morning personality on all three major AM stations in town. An avid amateur radio operator, Ric is looking for a good band to play in, as he plays keyboards, bass and guitar. Ric, who currently is working on developing a lifestyle that doesn't require his presence, lives in the center of St. George with his partner Terri, two snoring dogs and too many neurotic cats.

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6 Comments

  • Bob November 8, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Venezuela was not that safe a place to visit even when times were good, and the country is collapsing economically now, and they really don’t much like Americans there

    • .... November 8, 2016 at 11:00 pm

      They don’t hate Americans Bob. They just hate you ! now that’s some funny stuff right there ! Ha ha ha

    • .... November 9, 2016 at 12:17 am

      Hey Dumbob …Herbert still the Governor. ! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha whaaaaaaaa whaaaaaaaaa LOL ! Way 2 go Herbert. !!!!

  • Bob November 8, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    hopefully orrin will run on down there and rescue the guy, and orrin will then decide to stay there for his “early” retirement. it would be nice

    • .... November 8, 2016 at 10:52 pm

      Hey dumbob maybe you could there with him and stay there and everybody will be happy

  • mmsandie November 8, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Why do people Ho outside the country and especially a imputed to find a mate..great people in this country and you won,t get captured and held as a terrorist.

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