Michigan Couple Held In Mexican Prison Over Hotel Charge Dispute

Many people in the United States and around the world have dreams and plans to visit Mexico at some point in their lives. The idea of spending time on the Mexican beach shore with authentic tequila shots, margaritas, and tacos sounds brilliant. Or even partying all night to the sounds of Mexican and American music in one of the many nightclubs.

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At the end of the day, Mexico sounds like a fun place until it isn't one. Traveling anywhere can be dangerous but traveling outside of the country seems to be the scariest. Obviously, a number of things can happen during your travels, but a countless number of things can happen once you're in another country. Mexico may be close but it's still too far in a crisis scenario.

That's what one family from Michigan is experiencing as there is a couple being held in a Mexican prison without bail. Paul and Christy Akeo from Spring Arbor, Michigan were arrested on March 4th at the Cancun Airport and are now in a maximum-security Mexican prison.

They are being held on suspicions of defrauding a Cancun hotel chain out of more than $100,000. The hotel says that the Akeo's signed a contract to purchase a membership with the hotel and provided a credit card for monthly purchases.

The hotel says that Paul fraudulently canceled 13 transactions totaling $116,587 (equivalent at the time to more than 2.4 million pesos). While his wife Christy, allegedly shared messages on a Facebook page describing how they committed fraud against the hotel.

Lindsey Hull says the claims about her mother and stepfather are false and stated that American Express was corroborating the Akeo's side of the story. They have obtained both Mexican and American counsel while also reaching out the American embassy and other federal and state agencies seeking help.

The last update we've been given is that the resort is demanding $250,000 and the signing of a nondisclosure agreement that does not guarantee her parents’ release. Also, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett says he has spoken to the family, and his office has reached out to the State Department and the White House to get Paul and Christy released.