The Woodlands man accused of drug smuggling returns home from Dominican Republic prison
THE WOODLANDS, Texas (KTRK) -- A The Woodlands resident enjoyed an emotional reunion with friends and family Friday evening after spending more than a year in prison in the Dominican Republic.
VIDEO: Larry Davis reunites with family
"I've been dreaming about it for the last 15 months. I didn't think it would ever happen," Davis said of his return home. "I have faith in God. It wavered, but I have my friends and family. Every day they would send me devotionals."
While in prison, Davis said he would exercise twice daily and read his Bible and other books.
"He's exactly the same. I look at him. My beautiful husband is here. It's amazing," added his wife, Stacy Davis.
An avid soccer player, Davis' teammates in a local club were also at the airport for his emotional arrival.
"We had comfort in knowing if anybody out of the people we know could get through this it's Larry. His faith and how strong his is. We knew justice would prevail," said teammate Rob Krotee.
On Tuesday, a three-judge panel in the Dominican Republic found Davis not guilty of drug smuggling, a crime for which he was charged when the boat he leased to another company arrived in a Dominican Republic port with what authorities said was a large quantity of illegal drugs.
Davis walked out of prison Thursday, a joyful moment captured on video by his attorney.
Davis spent 14 months in a Dominican Republic prison cell. His attorney insisted from the start that Davis had "nothing to do with hiring the ship's crew, captain, and engineer -- that was done by the company to which he leased the ship."
Instead, his lawyer said Davis was called to come to the Dominican Republic to resolve an inspection question when he was arrested.
The days became weeks, then months, then a year, as the The Woodlands husband sat in a prison cell.
"I just want my husband back," Stacy Davis told Eyewitness News two months ago.
SEE ALSO: Family fights to get man back to The Woodlands after year in Dominican Republic prison
Tuesday came the long-awaited light at the end of the tunnel, said attorney Sean Buckley, who was with Davis in court.
"The judges criticized the government for not even linking Larry Davis to the drugs in any way, or any communication with the two people who were linked to the drugs," Buckley said Tuesday by phone.
