Though the pair did not violate office policy, they did violate Mexican law, authorities said.
Two deputies with a Georgia sheriff’s office have been arrested for bringing guns with them on a vacation to Mexico, where it’s illegal to bring in firearms.
Martelle Davis, 36, and Shawana Davis, 31, who are married and both work for the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, were taken into custody when they got off their flight to Cancun Thursday, Sheriff Billy Hancock said.
Both were held for bringing guns into the country and for possession of magazines and live ammo, officials said.
The couple was held for two days before they could return to the U.S. Monday.
“After working closely with officials in the U.S. and Mexico to resolve the issue, the two were released late Saturday on bond,” 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."
The Davises brought firearms with them to Mexico as a safety precaution after several homicides were reported in Cancun, Hancock told reporters.
Though the pair did not violate any policies of their office, they did violate Mexican law, he said.
"Mexican law says that you cannot bring a firearm into their country," Hancock told WMAZ-TV. “They're certified law enforcement officers. They're trained to protect people, so they carried their weapons with them thinking in their minds that they are going to do what they do every day: Protect people and protect myself."
The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office is launching its own internal investigation into the incident.
Martelle Davis has been with the office since 2014. Shawana Davis recently started with the agency as a school resource officer, authorities said. She has been a certified officer for six years.
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