American Tourist Couple Released in Cancún Hotel Fraud Case

Michigan Couple Freed from Mexican Prison After Timeshare Dispute Sparks International Outcry

After 32 harrowing days in a Mexican maximum-security prison, Paul and Christy Akeo, a married couple from Michigan, have returned home following a highly publicized dispute with the Palace Resorts hotel chain in Cancún. Their release comes after a reparatory settlement was reached, marking the end of a legal and diplomatic drama that drew international headlines and the personal involvement of U.S. Congressman Tom Barrett.

The History of the Dispute

The trouble began in November 2021, when the Akeos signed an 11-year timeshare contract with Palace Resorts, agreeing to monthly payments of $6,923 USD. According to the couple, the resort failed to deliver on key promises, prompting them to dispute over $116,000 USD in charges through American Express, which ultimately ruled in their favor and refunded the funds.

Palace Resorts, however, alleged fraud and filed a criminal complaint in Mexico in 2023. The company cited not just the disputed payments, but also social media posts allegedly made by Christy, encouraging others to file similar disputes.

On March 4, 2025, Paul and Christy arrived in Cancún for a vacation—ironically, not at a Palace property—and were arrested at the airport by Mexican authorities in collaboration with Interpol. They were sent to a maximum-security prison, where they remained under preventive detention as the case proceeded.

Family members, especially Christy’s daughter, Lindsey Lemke Hull, raised alarms about the conditions of their confinement. She said the couple was denied medical care and communication with loved ones. Lindsey launched a public campaign to bring attention to their plight.

U.S. Representative Tom Barrett flew to Cancún to personally intervene. He visited the couple in prison, describing the conditions as “deplorable,” and said the Akeos felt “afraid and hopeless.” Barrett also met with the President of the Supreme Court of Quintana Roo and worked with the U.S. State Department to find a resolution.

In a video posted shortly after their release, Barrett shared footage of the couple boarding a flight home, captioned: “Paul and Christy Akeo are going home. Mission accomplished.”

The Settlement and Terms of Release

Their release was made possible by a reparatory agreement between the couple and Palace Resorts. According to Mexican law, such agreements are allowed in certain non-violent cases and can lead to dismissal of criminal charges if both parties consent. The agreement was ratified by a Control Judge and included the donation of disputed funds to three nonprofit organizations in Mexico. One of the charities supports orphaned and vulnerable children.

Palace Resorts issued a statement acknowledging the settlement and expressing regret over the situation. “Each party regrets that this incident occurred,” the company noted, adding that the agreement was a resolution that avoided further legal escalation.

Now safely back in the U.S., Paul and Christy are receiving medical and psychological support to recover from their ordeal. Their family has expressed deep gratitude to Congressman Barrett and the diplomatic teams involved. The Akeos have not spoken publicly in detail since returning but are reportedly focusing on healing and reuniting with their loved ones.

This case has sparked broader concerns about the criminalization of contractual disputes in Mexico, particularly in the tourism and real estate sectors. Legal experts and advocacy groups have warned that similar arrests could happen to other foreign visitors caught in civil disagreements that become criminalized under local laws.