Michigan Couple Imprisoned in Mexico Over Disputed Resort Charges

Christy and Paul Akeo arrived at an airport in Cancun on March 4 for vacation when they were arrested.

A Michigan couple’s vacation turned into a harrowing ordeal when they were arrested upon arrival in Cancun, Mexico, over an alleged credit card dispute with a luxury resort company. Christy and Paul Akeo, both grandparents, were detained at the airport on March 4 after customs officials flagged their passports. They have since been held without bond in a maximum-security prison for 23 days.

The couple was arrested on outstanding criminal fraud charges stemming from a financial dispute with Palace Resorts, a luxury vacation company with properties in Mexico and Jamaica. According to their daughter, Lindsey Hull, the charges are in retaliation for a dispute they had with the company over $117,000 in charges on their American Express credit card nearly three years ago. The Akeos challenged the charges, and after months of review, American Express ruled in their favor, refunded the money, and terminated their membership with Palace Resorts.

The couple was arrested on outstanding criminal fraud charges

Despite having returned to Cancun multiple times since the dispute without issue, the couple was detained during their most recent trip. Hull alleged that the Palace Company is now demanding $250,000 and that her parents sign a nondisclosure agreement that does not guarantee their release. Additionally, she claimed the company is insisting they issue a public apology.

John Manly, the attorney who represented the Akeos in their dispute with Palace Resorts, stated that the case had been closed and accused the company of holding them “hostage” to extract money. He emphasized that their detention was an act of extortion and retaliation.

They have been held without bond in a Mexican maximum-security prison for the past 23 days.

Hull also reported that her mother and stepfather, a U.S. Navy veteran with over 21 years of service who currently works for the Michigan State Police, have been denied medical care and proper communication while in prison. She claimed that her mother has lost 25 pounds due to being served food to which she is allergic and is suffering from a severe untreated rash. She added that she had only spoken to Paul once in three weeks, with no further communication allowed since.

The couple has already appeared in court in Mexico regarding the charges. According to Manly, a Mexican court granted Palace Resorts an additional six months to gather evidence, and the judge denied the Akeos' request for house arrest, ordering them to remain in jail. Manly called the court’s actions deliberate and calculated, aimed at punishing the couple for previously speaking out against Palace Resorts’ business practices.

Hull claimed that her mother and stepfather were arrested in “retaliation” for challenging charges made on their American Express credit card by the Palace Company, a luxury, all-inclusive vacation brand with resorts in Mexico and Jamaica owned by Palace Resorts.

Hull has reached out to the American Embassy in Mexico, the FBI, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office, and other federal and state agencies for assistance. U.S. Representative Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) stated that he has been in contact with the couple’s family and is working with the White House, State Department, and Michigan law enforcement to secure their release as quickly and safely as possible.

The lawyer who represented them in the dispute against Palace Resorts, John Manly, said the case was closed and the couple is being held “hostage.”