October 8, 2020 — Michael Foy, an American longline fishing boat captain who was detained in the British Virgin Islands on June 8, is reportedly still in jail. Foy’s family has been providing updates on his situation after he was imprisoned and charged with illegal entry and illegal fishing.
Foy, who lives in Puerto Rico, left for a fishing expedition on May 29. He claims he was in BVI waters waiting to get customs clearance to travel onward to Puerto Rico, but was told by authorities to follow them into port. Once docked Foy was taken into custody and his boat, including approximately 8,000 pounds of fish, was seized. Foy was accused of illegally fishing in BVI waters and not granted bail because he has no legal status in BVI.