Vigil To Be Held For Marylander Imprisoned In Cuba

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Simultaneous vigils are being planned in New York and Washington for an American imprisoned in Cuba for nearly two years.

Alan Gross was arrested in Cuba in December 2009 after he was caught illegally bringing communications equipment onto the island.

He was sentenced to 15 years in jail for crimes against the state.

Gross contends he was only trying to help the island's tiny Jewish community get Internet access.

A recent trip to Cuba by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who claimed he was invited to the island to negotiate Gross' release, ended in failure.

Now vigils are being planned Friday in front of the Cuban Interests Sections in Washington and the Cuban UN Mission in New York.

Gross' wife, Judy Gross, will take part in the Washington vigil.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)