Pocatello native hits 1 year mark in Venezuelan jail - East Idaho News
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Pocatello native hits 1 year mark in Venezuelan jail

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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — Friday marks exactly one year since a Pocatello native was arrested and jailed in Venezuela.

Despite the efforts of state and federal leaders, including Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, Josh Holt remains behind bars.

Utah Rep. Mia Love tweeted Friday morning that she is pushing for the U.S. to do more to bring Holt home.

Holt traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to get married. His mother, Laurie Holt, of Riverton, said her son has lived in a cell in Caracas since two weeks after the marriage. That’s when authorities there arrested him on allegations of stockpiling weapons in his Venezuelan wife’s apartment and spying for the U.S.

RELATED: One year later, Pocatello native Josh Holt still incarcerated in Venezuela

Laurie Holt has said she believes an assault rifle and grenade were planted there.

State Department officials accuse Venezuelan government leaders of refusing to seek medical attention for Holt’s “difficult and painful ailments, which have worsened by delays and denials of proper care.”

This article was originally published by KSL.com. It is used here with permission.

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