Rep. Barrett traveling to Mexico to help Michigan couple in prison
LANSING — Congressman Tom Barrett traveled to Mexico Wednesday with the hope of getting a Michigan couple released from prison.
Christy and Paul Akeo were arrested on March 4 after getting off a plane at an airport in Cancun. Their family and attorney said the arrest related to a credit card dispute with a resort company, which had previously been resolved in their favor. The Palace Company, which owns the resort, has claimed the Akeos fraudulently disputed charges.
The Akeos have been held in a prison since their March 4 arrest and have been denied bail, their family and attorney have said. The family was unable to speak with Paul Akeo until recently, said John Manly, an attorney for the family. Manly added that the family wants the Akeos to get medical care as concerns about their health have grown.
“This has gone on long enough and it is ridiculous,” Manly said.
Barrett was able to meet with the Akeos, and posted a statement to his social media accounts.
“After landing in Cancun this morning, I traveled directly to the maximum security prison where Paul and Christy Akeo are being held,” Barrett posted to X, formerly Twitter. “I met with them personally for an hour and learned of the horrific conditions they are facing — rubbled walls, overcrowded cells, toilets that don’t flush, and disgusting food. This has left them scared, frustrated, and struggling to find hope. I assured them that I am doing everything I can to urgently secure their safe release.
“Following my meeting with Paul and Christy I met with the president of the Quintana Roo Supreme Court to expedite any relief we can provide. Thank you to the U.S. State Department for their assets and support on the ground to end this family’s nightmare, and I hope to have more to share soon.”
Michael Gordon, a spokesperson for Rep. Barrett, R-Charlotte, said the congressman has been in touch with the family, the White House and other officials, and that he traveled to Cancun with U.S. State Department officials on Wednesday.
“The congressman is going down there to help the family, hopefully, get their release,” he said, also adding that there’s hope “that we have good news here soon.”
Officials have been discussing possible terms of a release pending the resolution of the case. The Palace Company said in a statement last week that a judge has ruled there’s enough evidence for the case against the Akeos to proceed.
“The Palace Company subsidiary, Palace Elite, filed a criminal complaint with Mexican authorities after Paul and Christy Akeo fraudulently disputed legitimate credit card charges and publicly encouraged others to do the same,” the statement read. “Mexican prosecutors reviewed the evidence and, following failed attempts to serve notice, obtained a court-approved arrest warrant.”
The family has said the dispute relates to the Akeos challenging more than $100,000 in wrongful credit card charges for stays that the resort canceled.
Manly said that out of concern for their safety, the family first tried to negotiate with The Palace Company and officials in Mexico for the Akeos’ release, but last week reached the point of having no option but to ask for help.
Lindsey Hull detailed the family’s concerns in a Facebook on March 24.
“My mom has lost 25 lbs. in 20 days due to inability to eat as the prison is serving her food they are aware she is allergic to,” Hull wrote. “She also has a severe rash all over her body they refuse to treat. These are all concerns that have been brought up numerous times to the US Consulate over the last 3 weeks, yet they failed to have any sort of visit with my parents until 17 DAYS into their imprisonment.”
Paul Akeo is a Navy veteran who currently works as a civilian employee with the Michigan State Police. The Akeos have ties to the Lansing area.
Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at [email protected].
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