MI Couple Back Home After Weeks In Mexican Prison Over Resort Dispute

MICHIGAN — A Michigan couple that spent weeks inside a maximum-security prison in Mexico after disputing credit card charges at a resort returned home to the state Friday.

Michigan Rep. Tom Barrett posted a video of Paul and Christy Akeo entering a plane Thursday night. All three of them then landed in Lansing around midnight.

Barrett said he had been working on getting the couple released from prison after learning that Mexican officials accused them of knowingly defrauding a hotel chain when they purchased a timeshare years ago.

The couple challenged $100,000 in what they said was wrongful credit card charges that were made by The Palace Company, or Palace Resorts, with American Express, the couple's daughter said on social media.

She added American Express sided with her parents in the dispute.

When the couple returned to Cancun last month, they were arrested after prosecutors said they canceled 13 credit card payments to a hotel chain totaling nearly $116,600 in 2022 after using the card as collateral to pay for a monthly membership.

Prosecutors also pointed to a social media post made by Christy that they said shows how she broke her contract.

The couple's daughter said they were held in a maximum security prison for more than three weeks. During that time, she said they were denied medical attention and not allowed to communicate with their family and each other, as well as being defamed in the local media.

Barrett said he departed for Cancun on Wednesday to secure their release. He said he first met with the couple at the prison before meeting with the president of the Quintana Roo Supreme Court to secure their release. He added the U.S. Department of State assisted in getting the couple back home.

Barrett said all charges were dropped against the couple, and there won’t be any future lawsuits against them.

He also said President Donald Trump was aware of their situation and is happy they are home.

"The Akeo family wishes to thank President Donald J. Trump, his Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler and Congressman Tom Barrett for working tirelessly for the release of Paul and Christy Akeo," the family said in a written statement.

The Palace Company said they reached an agreement with the Akeos, according to a local report.

"The Palace Company and the Akeos agree that $116,587.84, the amount that was contested by the Akeos and refunded to them by American Express, will be donated to a bona fide established nonprofit in Mexico benefiting orphan children," the Palace Company said in a statement. "Each party regrets that this incident occurred."

Related — MI Couple Held In Mexican Prison Over Resort Dispute, Daughter Says