Michigan couple released after being held ‘hostage’ in Mexican prison for nearly a month over timeshare dispute

A Michigan couple, Paul and Christy Akeo, are finally home after spending nearly a month in a Mexican maximum-security prison in what their family and supporters describe as a retaliatory move over a long-standing financial dispute.

The couple, both 60 years old, were arrested on March 4 after arriving in Cancun for a vacation, only to find themselves swept up in an international legal battle that many are calling unjust and politically motivated.

The couple’s detention stemmed from a dispute with Palace Resorts, a luxury hospitality company with which the Akeos had a timeshare membership.

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In 2021, they disputed 13 charges totaling $117,000 on their American Express card, claiming the charges were fraudulent.

Their arrest in Cancun, years after the incident, came as a shock—especially given the timing and the aggressive nature of the response.

“Make no mistake, what they’re doing is they are holding two Americans hostage because they want them to pay them money,” said the couple’s attorney, John Manly, in an interview with CBS last month.

Their plight drew widespread attention in Michigan and beyond. Congressman Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), a freshman representative and military veteran himself, took up their cause and personally traveled to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo to advocate for their release.

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“Paul and Christy Akeo are coming home. Mission accomplished,” Barrett wrote on X following the couple’s release.

Barrett described the prison conditions as “horrific,” citing overcrowded cells, crumbling infrastructure, broken sewage lines, and unsanitary food. The Akeos were held without bond in a maximum-security facility and, according to their daughter, denied medical attention and basic communication.

“This has left them scared, frustrated, and struggling to find hope,” Barrett said in an update posted a day before their release.

Image Credit: Rep. Tom Barrett/X

Christy’s daughter, Lindsey Hull, was a fierce advocate during the couple’s imprisonment. She created a Facebook group to rally support and criticized what she called a slow and inadequate response from U.S. officials.

“Paul is a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and served our country for 21 years,” Hull wrote on Facebook. “The lack of action from our own government officials to help an innocent veteran who proudly served our country is UNACCEPTABLE.”

Hull also shared harrowing details about her mother’s experience behind bars. Christy reportedly lost 25 pounds during her imprisonment because she was being served food she was allergic to—despite authorities being aware of her dietary restrictions.

The couple was also subjected to what Hull described as public defamation by Mexican media outlets, adding to their distress.

The Palace Company stood firm on its accusations. A spokesperson told ABC News that the Akeos had “fraudulently disputed legitimate credit card charges and publicly encouraged others to do the same.”

Prosecutors alleged that Christy had used Facebook to spread information about how to commit similar acts of fraud against the resort chain.

A judge initially ordered the couple to six months of “justified preventive detention” while legal proceedings unfolded. However, after weeks of international pressure and negotiations—largely led by Barrett—the charges were dropped.

The couple landed in Lansing, Michigan, just after midnight on Friday, greeted by relief and support from loved ones and community members.

Image Credit: Rep. Tom Barrett/X

“There’s so many people who have supported us,” Christy said after returning home. “I don’t even know how we’re going to repay or thank people.”

Their story has ignited conversations about the responsibilities of U.S. government officials when citizens are detained abroad—especially veterans.

It also raises broader concerns about the tactics used by some foreign companies in civil disputes and the risks travelers face when those disputes escalate into criminal charges.

While the Akeos are home safe, the ordeal has left deep emotional and physical scars. Yet, the couple’s resilience and the efforts of their family, friends, and elected officials ensured that they didn’t face this battle alone.

For now, their focus is on healing, recovering, and expressing gratitude to the many who stood by them during what Christy called “the most terrifying experience of our lives.”

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