Paul and Christy Akeo, a couple from Michigan, have regained their freedom after being detained in Mexico for a month.
According to NewsNation, Paul and Christy Akeo, who were detained in a maximum-security prison in Mexico over a timeshare dispute, have been released and returned to Michigan on Thursday following intervention from U.S. officials.
The Spring Arbor couple's release came after Republican Congressman Tom Barrett visited them and brought attention to their situation. The Akeos had spent a month behind bars after their March 4 arrest in Cancún, where they faced accusations of fraud from a high-end resort company.
The conflict originated from a disputed credit card charge with The Palace Company, owners of Palace Resorts. The couple's daughter, Lindsey Hull, explained that her parents had challenged charges on their American Express card, which led to a notice being placed on their passports and their subsequent arrest at customs.
Mexican media outlets reported that the Akeos were accused of defrauding the Cancún hotel chain of more than $100,000. The allegations stemmed from a November 2021 contract where the couple agreed to purchase a membership and provided credit card information for monthly payments.
According to local newspaper Riviera Maya News, Paul Akeo allegedly canceled 13 transactions totaling $116,000, equivalent to 2.4 million pesos. Additional allegations claimed Christy Akeo had shared details about committing fraud against Palace Resorts on Facebook.
Hull strongly refuted the accusations against her parents, stating that American Express had sided with them in the dispute. During their imprisonment, communication with the family was severely limited.
Lindsey Hull shared with WLNS her experience of the challenging situation:
I mean, through the 21 days, we haven't talked to my stepdad Paul not one time. My mom usually gets a phone call a day. It's not for very long at all. It's basically a phone call she gets until somebody in the background will tell her to get off the phone, and then she has to hang up.
The family maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal, with Hull emphasizing the importance of sharing their side of the story.
Attorney Dick Atkins, who specializes in foreign legal matters, emphasized the rarity of such incidents. He noted that while over 36 million U.S. residents visit Mexico annually, fewer than 500 face arrest.
Mallory Wilson, a friend of the family, expressed relief at the news of their release. U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler confirmed the couple's departure on a private jet to Lansing, accompanied by Congressman Barrett.
The incident has raised concerns about potential impacts on the hospitality industry in Mexico. Atkins suggested that hotels might become more cautious in their handling of similar situations to avoid negative publicity and loss of business.
The Michigan couple's month-long imprisonment in Mexico over a timeshare dispute has finally concluded with their release and return home. The incident, which began with a credit card dispute of $116,000 with Palace Resorts, escalated into an international situation requiring U.S. congressional intervention. The Akeos' release was secured through diplomatic efforts, highlighting the complexity of international legal disputes and their potential impact on tourism relations between the United States and Mexico.
