LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Paul and Christy Akeo, a couple from Spring Arbor, Michigan, are currently being held in a maximum-security Mexican prison, their family said.
Lindsey Hull, Christy’s daughter, said her mother and stepfather were arrested on March 4 at an airport in Cancun and have been held without bond for 21 days. Speaking with WLNS, she alleged that the couple was being held because they had challenged charges made on their American Express credit card by The Palace Company, owners of Palace Resorts.
When the Akeos arrived in Mexico earlier this month, they went through customs, where Hull said a notice was placed on their passports, leading to their arrest.
Local Mexican outlets reported that the Akeos have been charged with defrauding a Cancun hotel chain out of more than $100,000, alleging they signed a contract in Nov. 2021 to purchase a membership with the hotel, giving a credit card for the hotel to charge the monthly payments.
According to Riviera Maya News, a Cancun-based newspaper, it is alleged that Paul fraudulently canceled 13 transactions totaling $116,587 (equivalent at the time to more than 2.4 million pesos) and Christy allegedly shared messages on a Facebook page describing how they committed fraud against the hotel.
Hull has dismissed these claims as false and defamatory, writing on social media that American Express sided with the Akeos regarding the incident.
“That’s why it’s so important to share our story and spread our truth,” wrote Hull in a text message to WLNS. “Truth will prevail.”
The couple’s family said they have reached out to the American embassy in Mexico and other federal and state agencies asking for help, but said the Akeos are still being held as of Monday night.
Hull said she and her brother have hired both American and Mexican attorneys. She also said the resort is demanding $250,000 and the signing of a nondisclosure agreement that does not guarantee her parents’ release.
Hull said this incident has caused her family a lot of stress.
“Trying to comprehend what’s happening, trying to figure out how to get into some sort of communication with our parents. I mean, through the 21 days, we haven’t talked to my stepdad Paul not one time,” said Hull. “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.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Michigan, 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.
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