On February 14, 2026 a group of 6 young adults excitedly ventured on their dream vacation, two weeks of touring Japan. Benjamin, brothers Ethan and Trevor, Trevor’s girlfriend Marji and a young married couple Josiah and Amelia. Many of these young adults have longed to visit Japan since childhood due to playing the common video game of Poke’mon, watching anime shows, two hold a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwando and one who earned his first-degree black belt this past year, Trevor. So, as you can imagine, they were ecstatic about being able to visit a culture that many of them had grown to admire.
During their time on the mainland of Japan they were able to fully immerse themselves in Japanese culture. Some of the many experiences included a Japanese Tea Ceremony, Samori experience, forging knives, a ramen making class, and visiting a technology exhibit called Team Lab, an exhibit where technology is used to create the feeling of being in nature. The group was able to enjoy visiting Hakone, a vacation spot which seemed to be visited by nationals more than international tourists, and Kyoto, a hub for traditional Japanese culture including temples and shrines.
As they continued their experience they flew from Osaka to the island of Okinawa, Japan. Where they spent time touring and visiting sites. Then while walking the beach, on February 24, Trevor expressed his love for Marji as he bent down on one knee and proposed. Their trip to Japan was to be more than a dream vacation, it was a vacation that would mark the beginning of forever for them both.
As their vacation continued they were to fly back to Tokyo on Thursday, February 26, to enjoy one last night at what was to be the nicest (fanciest) hotel they were to stay at during their travels. While going through security at the Naha airport in Okinawa, Japan, Trevor was pulled aside. The group was confused as to what was happening but learned Trevor had a small pocket in his bag where a single 9MM bullet was found.
The group was instructed by security to get on their flight not knowing what was happening with Trevor. The only Japanese individual who spoke some English tried translating telling Ethan and Marji he believed Trevor would be held in a hotel for 10 days during the investigation but didn’t know what else would happen.
In the chaos Marji contacted her mom and brother frantically not knowing what she was to do, her brother contacted Trevor’s mother, Stacia, who called Ethan immediately. Ethan quickly told her all he knew was that Trevor had a bullet and they were instructed by security they must leave and get on their flight. Anxiety was high with having to leave not knowing and only having 20 minutes to navigate the airport to make their flight. She advised him that the group needs to make the flight. The group was forced to leave Trevor in Okinawa, Japan and returned home that Saturday afternoon.
Within minutes of hanging up with Ethan, Stacia called the American Consulate in Okinawa, Japan where she was told “We are unable to give any information due to the Privacy Act of 1974.” This act prevents any information to be given to any person without a Privacy Release Form signed by the pertaining individual. Due to a previous international encounter that week she knew this and requested it be brought to him immediately. The representative from the consulate reiterated she is unable to give any information but gave Stacia the phone number for the closest police station in which Trevor would have been taken.
Stacia then called the police station where she was told “we can not give you any information, we can not tell you if he is here or not.” Thanks to Life 360 Marji was able to see the last location of his phone, showing the exact police station he was being held at.
On Friday Stacia contacted her local congressman's assistant, Julie. Jule had Stacia fill out an online form to explain the situation while she did some research. Shortly after the initial phone call Julie called Stacia back explaining Trevor needs a lawyer immediately stating Japan has very strict ammunition laws and a single bullet is viewed the same as possessing a gun.
Julie then reached out to the Consulates in Tokyo and Okinawa where she as well was told “due to the Privacy Act of 1974 we are not allowed to give out any information until a privacy release form is signed by the pertaining party.” This was very frustrating; however, she continued to reach out through different avenues.
While Julie worked on her end Stacia continued to reach out to the American Consulate in Okinawa and the police department requesting Trevor be brought the Privacy Release Form. After several calls from a frustrated mother the consulate employee finally let Stacia speak to an American officer. He informed her he was not allowed to contact Trevor until the Police Department contacts the Consulate. Additionally, Stacia had been calling lawyer after lawyer getting no answers only to realize that even though it was Friday for her it was Saturday in Okinawa.
In one last ditch effort she called a Baptist Church that is ran by American missionaries, unbelievably the phone was answered on a Saturday. The reason? There was a group of ladies at the church having a baby shower. Stacia explained the situation to the church member and asked her to reach out to the pastor. Finally, later that day an American missionary reached out, Dan. He asked about the situation and said he didn’t know what he could do but he would see if he could gather information. This is when Stacia booked her flight to Japan.
On Sunday Stacia continued to call lawyers in Naha where either the individual answering the phone didn’t speak English or they were unable to take the case. As she continued to prepare to leave for Japan, that coming Monday, Dan called with information.
Dan learned Trevor would be held for 10 days and would then most likely be released. This was not guaranteed since it was learned through unofficial channels but was still news. Now with some answers and knowing Dan was there to help Stacia cancelled her flight. Later, Dan reached out again stating he was able to meet with the officer in charge of detention and learned Trevor had been given a public defender and would go before the judge in the morning for his initial arraignment. This is where he would either be released or be held for an additional 10 days, Dan would know more later that day. The family waited anxiously praying he would be released. Finally, news had come, the judge had decided to hold him for the additional 10 days. Dan continued with encouraging Stacia and letting her know he would be able to visit Trevor in the jail the next day when he would be allowed to bring Trevor books and food. He still did not know who the Public Defender was, but was told Trevor appeared to be doing fine.
Dan was able to visit Trevor Monday and reported Trevor appeared to be doing well and felt relieved he was not alone. Trevor informed Dan he would be held until March 11th where it could be extended to the 21st when the prosecutor would decide whether or not to prosecute. Having possession of a single bullet, in Japan, could lead to a 3 year prison sentence or up to a $16,000 fine.
This was when a GoFundMe page was started to help cover the costs of lawyer fees, a plane ticket home and the possibility of paying a large fine. Many people were very generous with financial support and prayers.
Monday evening Trevor’s Public Defender contacted Stacia. Due to him not speaking English, communication was limited. He let her know he was able to visit with Trevor and had a message to relay. He wanted to let her know he was okay, sorry and to let Marji know he loves her. Communication with the lawyer became easier when Dan, who speaks Japanese, was able to connect with him.
Soon after, the American Officer visited Trevor, providing him with the Privacy Release Form. He called Stacia to confirm an email address for additional information Trevor had requested the consulate have.
That Wednesday Dan called to inform the family it had been unexpectedly decided Trevor would be released that Friday at 11:00 a.m. which was Thursday afternoon Central Standard Time. Trevor’s family was overcome with emotion and the fear of the worst was over; however, it wouldn’t be until he was released and on American soil when they would finally be able to rest.
That Friday Dan picked Trevor up from the jail and gave him a place to stay for the next few nights. Trevor spent time with Dan’s family, helping with what he could at the church. Tuesday afternoon Trevor was greeted at the Minneapolis airport with open arms from Marji and his grandfather.
Julie stated without Dan’s assistance during this time the family would have no answers even through government channels which raises many concerns as to how the Privacy Act of 1974 is written. If Trevor hadn’t been traveling with a group he would have been sitting in the local jail for 4 or 5 days before any family members would have been made aware of the situation.
Trevor has been asked many questions about his time in Japan, here are his answers
1.What was it like while being detained? It was scary not knowing what was being said, where they were taking me and having to be left behind by my friends and family. The security guards weren’t aggressive but were stern. They didn’t allow me to have any communication with anyone.
2.What was it like when they took you to the police station? There was an interpreter who translated during the interview when they asked me about the bullet. After the interview they brought me to a room with all my luggage where we had to make a list of every item I had with me. After that they put me in a cell. The next day they completed the fingerprinting and mugshot routine. There was a digital fingerprint scanner where they scanned each finger and palm for each hand.
3.What were the conditions of the jail? How did the guards treat you? The guards were respectful and nice. It was overall pretty chill. The sleeping conditions were rough. We had two blankets, one to lay on the floor, which was a plastic tatami mat, one to cover with and a pillow that was like a slightly squishy rock.
4.What was the food like in Jail? For breakfast we were given a juice box with a bun, lunch was a bowl of rice with a topping on it and green tea and supper was a bowl of rice with a topping, either soup or ramen and green tea. It all tasted good, I would rate it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
5.What was the bathroom facility like? In the cell there was a small bathroom with a window at head height for the guards to see. We were allowed 2 showers a week and were taken to the shower room individually. It was a room with a bathtub, but we were not allowed to go in the tub. We put water in a bowl and poured it over ourselves to wash. There was a drain on the room floor. We were provided soap and one towel the size of a hand towel.
6.What was the “Yard” like, did you get to go outside? The only time I went outside was when I was being transported to the court house. Going to and from the vehicle. Every other day we were allowed to get some fresh air and exercise when we were taken to an empty concrete room with a barred roof.
7.Did you have cell mates? I had 3 cell mates, only one spoke extremely limited English. We were able to have a pencil and paper, with that and the limited English combined with hand gestures we were able to communicate enough to learn each other's stories. We also taught each other a little bit of each other's language.
8.Were you bored? Between having cell mates to talk with and books I was able to stay occupied. I was grateful the guards let me keep my own Bible to read.
9.Where did the contraband, 9MM bullet, come from? I was going target shooting and had seen the bullet sitting on a shelf and stuck it in the little pocket of the bag and forgot I had put it there.
10.Did you know when you would be released? No, I didn’t know until the moment they said I was free to go.
11.How did you feel when you were released? Extremely relieved and so grateful to all that prayed for me. I truly believe God protected me. I am also grateful to live in a country where a single bullet would have just been confiscated.
12.Would you go back to Japan? Yes, I very much enjoyed touring Japan, it is a physically beautiful country full of memorizing tradition and history.
