Riverton prepares to welcome Josh Holt home to Utah

RIVERTON, Utah – He was held in a Venezuelan prison for two years. Now Josh Holt is finally coming home and his hometown of Riverton is ready to welcome him back.

Holt arrived in Washington D.C. on Saturday. He, his wife and stepdaughter were checked out at the hospital Sunday. Once they’re given a clean bill of health, they’ll make their way back to Utah. That could be as early as Tuesday.

Family, friends and the community will be waiting for them.

“We wanted him to come home to something awesome,” said Derek Holt, Josh’s brother. “Something that said the community didn’t forget about you.”

Sunday evening, dozens of people turned out to tie ribbons along 12600 South. It’s a tribute to a man who has lived a nightmare and a way to lead him home at last with a path of neon green ribbons, Holt’s favorite color.

“When I finally found out it was real and he was coming home, I just started crying,” said Katie Holt, Josh’s younger sister.

Katie is expecting an emotional reunion.

“I’m just going to give him a big bear hug and smack him and say you’re never leaving again,” said Katie.

Derek, Katie and Jenna Holt haven’t seen their older brother in two years. But after he was recently released, that’s about to change. They still can’t believe it’s real.

“I got a call at like 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning from my mom and dad saying they had to go to D.C., Josh is getting out,” said Derek. “I just did a double take. It was shocking because it was out of the blue.”

The Holt family says they’ve been touched by the outpouring of community support.

“The amount of support from everybody just really just blows my mind,” said Katie. “Our whole family has been grateful for all the love.”