PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- A Haitian prosecutor says two Americans jailed in Haiti face up to three years in prison if convicted on conspiracy charges.

Prosecutor Jean-Renel Senatus said Monday that Jason William "Zeke" Petrie had confessed to having ties to criminal gangs.

The 39-year-old Petrie and 57-year-old Steven Parker Shaw were arrested Friday after police found them driving a group of would-be soldiers during a protest to demand the re-establishment of Haiti's army.

Petrie has told The Associated Press that he was helping the hopeful soldiers because they are his friends. Shaw said he was helping Petrie.

Friday's march drew hundreds of people who are hoping that Haitian President Michel Martelly will honor his campaign promise to restore the army. The army was dismantled in 1995 because of its record of abuses.