Sam Goodwin is an American who was detained on false charges in Syria in 2019. He was on a quest to visit every country in the world, and with only 13 to go, he decided to visit Syria. Goodwin was detained at a Syrian Army checkpoint in Northeast Syria and transferred to Damascus, where he was held at Military Branch 215. 62 days into captivity, his family and Lebanese intermediaries helped secure his release. 

He is now an advisor to the Syrian Emergency Task Force and the Congressional Affairs Coordinator for the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation and recounts his testimony to raise awareness.