From Silence to Lawsuit: Michigan Couple Sues Cancun Resort After Prison Nightmare

A Michigan couple’s dream vacation turned into a nightmare when a timeshare dispute landed them in a Mexican maximum-security prison for 32 days. To secure their release, Paul and Christy Akeo were forced to sign an agreement barring them from speaking publicly about the ordeal. Months later, now safely back in the U.S., the couple has broken that agreement and filed a lawsuit against Palace Resorts.

Their case highlights the hidden dangers of timeshares in Mexico—where disagreements can escalate into arrests, forced silence, and long-term trauma. For many families, cancellation is the only way to avoid such risks.

Key Conclusions

The Akeos were jailed for 32 days in horrific conditions over a timeshare dispute.
Their release required signing a gag order forbidding them from speaking about the case.
Back in the U.S., they broke that agreement and are now suing the resort.
Their lawsuit alleges defamation, malicious prosecution, and emotional distress.
Timeshare owners abroad face serious risks, including detention and intimidation.
Canceling a timeshare is often the safest way to protect your finances and freedom.

The Prison Ordeal in Cancun
The Forced Silence Agreement
Breaking the Agreement: The U.S. Lawsuit
How Timeshare Disputes Escalate
Why Timeshares Are More Risk Than Reward: Hidden Costs, Limited Flexibility, Aggressive Legal Tactics
The Dangers of International Timeshares
When Should You Cancel a Timeshare?
Safe Exit Strategies
FAQs About Timeshare Risks
Free Consultation with Mexican Timeshare Solutions

The Prison Ordeal in Cancun

Paul and Christy Akeo of Lansing, Michigan, arrived in Cancun expecting a relaxing vacation. Instead, they were arrested at the airport and accused of fraud tied to their Palace Elite Resorts timeshare membership.

For more than a month, they were detained in a maximum-security Mexican prison. According to the couple, the conditions were horrific—overcrowded cells, violent inmates, no running toilets, and food so inedible they could barely survive. The couple was separated from each other, with no way to speak or provide comfort during their detention.

Their children and U.S. officials intervened to negotiate their release. But the cost of freedom came with a chilling condition.

The Forced Silence Agreement

In April, after weeks in jail, the Akeos reached an agreement with Palace Resorts: in exchange for their release, they were required to sign a non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreement.

This agreement was designed to silence them permanently, preventing the couple from sharing their story publicly or taking further legal action against the resort. Palace Resorts presented this as a resolution of the dispute, but for the Akeos, it was a forced gag order under duress.

As their daughter later described: “It felt like a movie—a nightmare. My parents were told they could go free, but only if they kept quiet forever.”

Breaking the Agreement: The U.S. Lawsuit

Now, months later and safely back home in Michigan, the couple has decided to break that agreement.

They filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida, against Palace Resorts and its CEO José Gibrán Chapur Dájer. The lawsuit seeks damages for:

Defamation – claiming the resort falsely accused them of fraud.
Malicious Prosecution – for pressing charges that led to their imprisonment.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – due to the inhumane prison ordeal.

By filing this lawsuit, the Akeos are challenging the forced silence imposed upon them and exposing the risks timeshare owners face when disputes spiral out of control.

How Timeshare Disputes Escalate

Most timeshare owners assume disagreements over payments or contract terms will stay civil. But resorts, especially in Mexico, can escalate disputes into criminal accusations.

Chargebacks or cancellations may be labeled as “fraud.”
Public complaints can trigger retaliation from the resort.
Legal systems abroad may side with powerful corporations over foreign tourists.

The Akeo case proves that a simple financial dispute can escalate into imprisonment and forced silence.

Why Timeshares Are More Risk Than Reward

Hidden Costs

Annual maintenance fees rise year after year. Many owners pay $1,500–$3,000 annually—regardless of whether they use the timeshare.

Limited Flexibility

Booking vacations is notoriously difficult. Exchange networks often fail to provide the promised availability, leaving families stuck.

Aggressive Legal Tactics

As seen with the Akeos, timeshare companies may weaponize the legal system to pressure or intimidate unhappy customers.

The Dangers of International Timeshares

Owning a timeshare in another country multiplies the risks:

Different laws – Contracts heavily favor resorts.
No U.S. protections – Consumer rights often don’t apply abroad.
Travel risks – Returning to the country can lead to arrest if disputes remain unresolved.

The Akeo case is a warning: a timeshare problem in Mexico can become a legal and personal nightmare.