Hearing delayed again for jailed Utah man in Venezuela
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this July 13, 2016 file photo, Laurie Holt holds a photograph of her son Joshua Holt at her home, in Riverton, Utah. Joshua Holt jailed in Venezuela since June has had his hopes for being reunited with his family for Christmas all but dashed with the fourth postponement of a preliminary hearing. Judge Elena Cassiani did not appear for a Tuesday, dec. 6, 2016 hearing, in which she was to rule on whether to dismiss the weapons charges against Holt. A new date was set for January. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) (The Associated Press)
A Utah man jailed in Venezuela since June has had his hopes for being reunited with his family for Christmas all but dashed with the fourth postponement of a preliminary hearing.
Judge Elena Cassiani did not appear for Tuesday's hearing in which she was to rule on whether to dismiss the weapons charges against Joshua Holt. A new date was set for January.
Holt traveled to Venezuela to marry a woman he met online. Officials have charged he was stockpiling weapons in his wife's apartment and linked him to what it alleges was a U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Secretary of State John Kerry has voiced concern about Holt's imprisonment and a senior State Department official discussed the case with officials during two recent visits to Caracas.