Paul and Christy Akeo, a couple from Jackson, Michigan, find themselves in a dire legal battle while detained in a Cancun maximum-security prison over a timeshare dispute. The situation has escalated into "21 days of torture," according to statements made by their daughter, Lindsey Hull, as reported by WZZM13.
The ordeal began upon the couple's arrival in Mexico for a Spring Break trip when they were arrested over an alleged $117,000 dispute with Palace Resorts. Despite their belief that the issue, involving unpaid credit card charges, had been settled, Mexican customs detained them on charges of criminal fraud. According to Hull, her parents "are being denied medical attention and proper communication with loved ones," as she relayed in a social media post, as per a report by WZZM13.
Both WZZM13 and ClickonDetroit have detailed the demands made by Palace Resorts, which include a $250,000 payment, agreement to a non-disclosure contract, and public apologies from the Akeos, none of which promise release. In a move that underscores the severity of the case, Hull has reached out to an extensive list of authorities, from U.S. Consulate, U.S. Embassy, to Michigan State Police, and Congressman Tom Barrett, who confirmed his efforts to work with the White House and State Department in pursuit of resolution.
Hull's parents have suffered significantly during their incarceration, with her mother losing 25 pounds due to food allergies and untreated medical conditions. "We have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars towards Mexican legal representation, but unfortunately that only goes so far when dealing with this level of corruption and extortion," Hull expressed in her Facebook post. Amidst the turmoil, Hull continues to advocate fiercely for her parents, calling for public support and intervention from U.S. officials.
While the plight of the Akeos remains unresolved, their daughter underscores the need for governmental attention and action. "Please help us SPREAD THE WORD—SHARE THIS POST, TAG MEDIA OUTLETS AND TAG OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES!" Hull implored on social media as she mobilized support aimed at securing the release of her parents from what has become an international legal quagmire.
