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A Michigan couple, Christy and Paul Akeo, have been detained in a Mexican prison for nearly three weeks due to a timeshare dispute. The couple, from Spring Arbor, Michigan, traveled to Cancún on March 4 for a vacation, only to be arrested at the airport on charges of fraud and extortion related to their timeshare with Palace Elite Resorts. The company alleges the Akeos defrauded them through $117,000 in chargebacks on their American Express card. However, the couple, through their lawyer and family, denies these allegations.
According to their daughter, Lindsey Lemke Hull, the couple was unaware of any arrest warrant when they traveled to Mexico. Hull described the situation as "like a horror movie" and said her parents are being held at Prison Cereso Cancún without appropriate food or medical care. Christy Akeo has reportedly lost over 20 pounds and is suffering from untreated allergic reactions due to a lack of medication.
Palace Elite Resorts has offered a settlement, demanding $250,000, a non-disclosure agreement, and a public apology from the Akeos. The family has refused, calling it an extortion attempt. The Mexican State Attorney’s office and the U.S. State Department are aware of the case, but the couple remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
The next court date is set for six months from now, allowing time for evidence collection.