Statement From the Sister of 2 Americans (out of 6) Currently Being Held in Honduras

[Jeff Dunsavage]

My two brothers, Mike and Bob Mayne are among the six being held unjustly in a Honduras jail. Any help to secure my brothers release would be greatly appreciated; they are 100% innocent of the charges! Anyone who knows my brothers will agree they are the most thoughtful, kind-hearted people you could ever meet.

Being armed at sea is common sense with piracy being prevalent and
especially with Central America having the highest violent crime rate in the
world. They only had 5 arms between 6 of them, and they were purchased legally in the US. They declared the arms immediately and they absolutely had
permission to bring arms with them from over a month before from Honduran
authorities.
Please read the facts of the incident below:

Phony Firearms Charges Used to Imprison 6 Americans in Honduras

On the afternoon of May5th, 2014, The US flagged vessel Aqua Quest, entered the Caratasca Lagoonopening eight miles from the docks of the small town of Puerto Lempira in the Mosquito Coast area where it was to check in with the Port Captain. The team was traveling to Honduras to work on a cooperative project with the Municipality of Ahuas and Miskito Indians; a project several years in the
making and one that would have a positive effect on the struggling residents.
The Honduran Navy placed a Pilot onboard to guide the Aqua Quest through the shallow canal and into port. The pilot instead ran it up on a sand bar. The
Captain of the Aqua Quest was finally able to get to shore just before the
Port's office closed for business at 4 p.m. The Port Captain said it was too
late to fully process their customs entry that day but confirmed that he would
be ready at 6 a.m. to review their paperwork and told them to get a good nights
rest.

While the crew was sleeping, Naval and Local Police boarded, claiming to have authority to inspect the vessel and seized the Aqua Quest and arrested/imprisoned the crew. The next morning the Port Captain objected to the seizing of the vessel and the crew but was ignored by the local police.

At the arraignment hearing thirty hours later, the Port Captain continued to protest that proper procedures were not followed. He stated that any firearms on board, if not allowed onto Honduran territory, would have been kept in his offices.

At a hearing on Tuesday May 13th, 2014, the men were ordered to be further illegally detained for the false firearms charges. The boat was placed in the custody of the Honduran Navy.

The laws and procedures surrounding the case are clearly on the side of the Captain and crew. They are disputed only by the local judge and prosecutor. The ship was well within its rights to protect itself while traveling in troubled International waters.

Detailed review of Honduran law and International protocol adopted and
previously adhered to by Honduras, reveals that the Port Captain is to be the
first to board a foreign vessel. He has the right to hold any firearms at his
discretion. This did not happen. the Navy and Police intercepted the vessel,
circumventing maritime protocol. The firearms officer with proper credentials
on board the Aqua Quest was never called to testify during the truncated
hearing.

As of today, the six law abiding American citizens remain in a Honduran prison. They are Robert Mayne Jr, Michael Mayne Sr, Nick Cook, Devon Butler, Kelly Garrett and Steve Matanich. Growing support for the Americans has come from local leaders, US Senate and Congressional members, The State Department and the American Embassy.