The US airman-turned-social media influencer and his brother — sentenced to jail in the United Arab Emirates last month after claiming they were drugged at a yacht party in Dubai — have returned to the US, according to a report.
Joseph and Joshua Lopez arrived back in their home state of Ohio, Detained in Dubai, an organization dedicated to helping people facing legal issues in the United Arab Emirates, announced.
“Over the moon to report the safe return home of #Ohio brothers Joseph and Joshua Lopez who faced prison in #Dubai after being drugged at a yacht party,” the non-profit wrote in a Facebook post late Tuesday night.
The organization did not share when the brothers were released from the Middle Eastern nation, where they were jailed for one month for alcohol consumption — a law that is strictly enforced in the UAE.
Joseph Lopez posted a video on Instagram Tuesday evening of himself smiling outside Los Angeles International Airport in a pink hoodie and white hat following his return to the US.
“Somehow got pulled out of a Middle Eastern prison, sat in deportation for hours, flew halfway across the world and now in Los Angeles.. all without sleeping yet.. what a strange day this has been,” he wrote.
Detained in Dubai also thanked Ohio Senator and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance for his “help and support” in the safe return of the brothers.
“I thank Senator JD Vance who was highly supportive of his constituents and keen to get them home as fast as possible,” said Crisis Manager and CEO of Detained in Dubai Radha Stirling in a statement.
“With the combined support of Senator Vance and a strong campaign, the Lopez brothers managed to escape the prison sentence they’d been served. Without such an effective campaign, they would likely have been locked up for a minimum of 6 months which could have expanded to 2 years or more.”
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.