Two married Georgia deputies were arrested in Mexico for bringing their guns across the border for their safety, officials said Monday.
Crisp County sheriff’s Deputies Martelle Davis, 36, and Shawana Davis, 31, were arrested on Aug. 23 while on vacation in Cancun on charges of possession of weapons, magazines and live ammunition, officials said. The pair is out on bond and returned to the U.S. on Monday.
Their weapons were found in their baggage during a customs check, WFXL-TV reported.
“After working closely with officials in the U.S. and Mexico to resolve the issue, the two were released late Saturday on bond,” Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock said. “I can’t thank all those on a State and Federal level who took my phone calls to assist enough. Each one played an important role in the release of these two deputies. Our prayers have been answered.”
Martelle Davis had been with the sheriff’s office since 2014 and Shawana Davis joined the agency as a school resource officer.
Hancock said the two didn’t violate agency policy, but violated Mexican law.
He added that the pair took guns with them on their trip because of the recent homicides in the tourist resort area.
The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory earlier this month, telling travelers to “exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime.”
Hancock said there will be an internal investigation.