Doylestown Native Among Six Stuck in Coastal Honduran Prison

A Doylestown native is one of six Americans who have been stuck for weeks in a coastal Honduran prison, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Devon Butler, 27, was a member of the Florida-based Aqua Quest International crew, which sailed to the Central American country in May to salvage mahogany logs at the bottom of a river, a family member told the Daily News.

On May 5, the six crew mates, all men ages 25 to 60, were put into a dilapidated coastal jail after police near Puerto Lempira on the Mosquito Coast intercepted them on suspicion that they were smuggling guns into the country, USA Today reported.

Local politicians, including Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, as well as lawyers and other supporters have been working to free the group.

USA Today reported the Americans brought two handguns, two shotguns and a semiautomatic rifle into the country without permission from the Honduran government. The crew brought the guns onboard to protect against pirates, according to the Daily News.

The captain of the ship told USA Today that the weapons on board are registered in the United States and the Honduran maritime authorities were notified in advance.