RIVERTON, Utah — Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, gave an update Friday on the Riverton man imprisoned in Venezuela, saying the local judge did not appear for Josh Holt’s hearing Thursday.
Holt was arrested June 30 after he traveled to the country to marry a Venezuelan woman. Venezuelan authorities allege they found weapons in Holt’s residence, but Holt’s family says he is innocent and is being prosecuted for political reasons.
Senator Hatch released a video Friday with an update on the process of getting Holt home.
“Disappointed, but not discouraged, because this week I’ve been in touch with both Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden, two of my former Senate colleagues, they are now both aware of Josh’s situation and will be working with us to resolve this nightmare for the Holt family,” Hatch said in the video.
Hatch said he is also working with the State Department on helping Josh and his wife leave Venezuela after Holt’s expected release.
“We will see justice for Josh in the end, I intend to see that that happens,” Hatch concludes.
