A Michigan couple who was imprisoned in Mexico for almost a month after they played charges related to a Mexican shared time have returned to the United States, their lawyers said Thursday.
Christy and Paul Akeo, from Spring Arbor, “have been released from custody and have returned to Lansing, Michigan,” said his law firm in a statement.
Quintana Roo’s state prosecutor said the couple reached an agreement with the time company shared by an amount of money that did not reveal. Then, a judge dismissed the criminal case and ordered his release, said the prosecutor’s office.
The family has said that the Akeos were victims of “an attempt to kidnapping and extortion” by a Mexican shared time company.
Palace Elite Resorts, a Mexican hospitality company, said that the couple defrauded it through $ 117,000 of backbacks on their American Express card, in which American Express collects funds from a supplier.
The couple bought a time membership shared with the company several years before, said Palace Elite Resorts.
The company said it filed a complaint with the Mexican prosecutor, who then led to the arrests of the Akeos.
The couple denies the accusations, and their law firm said Thursday that they were “held captive for 32 days in the prison of Cereso Cancun.”
John Manly, Akeos lawyer, previously described the “completely false” fraud charges.
“The Akeos are arrested because they successfully played the charges of Palace and the lack of delivery of services with American Express, criticized the company online and alerted others who felt harmed by the palace,” he said.
The Akeo family thanked President Donald Trump, his special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, and representative Tom Barrett, Republican of Mich., “For working tirelessly for the launch of Paul and Christy Akeo.”
Barrett went to Mexico and “camped in prison and made it clear that he would not return home without them,” said the family.
“For four consecutive weeks of fear and uncertainty, Congressman Barrett’s commitment to bring our parents home gave us hope and tranquility safely,” said Akeo’s family.
Palace Elite Resorts did not immediately respond to a request for comments on Thursday night.
The prosecutor said that the money of the agreement will go to three non -profit groups.
“The prosecutor’s office reiterates its commitment to justice and social welfare, acting in accordance with the law to guarantee compensation for damages and respect for the rights of all parties involved,” said the prosecutor’s office.
