Latisha Duncan
3/10/22
We need help!!! SOS

I am looking for help getting my husband out of the Mexico jail. His name is Larry Dornell Duncan. He has so many things against him, from his eyesight being negative 20 (he’s legally blind) in both eyes, anxiety, and PTSD. We were going to Mexico, and we got through customs. They wanted to check our Vehicle. We didn’t mind because we didn’t have anything to hide. They searched the glove box, under seats, and then opened the armrest to discover there was a clip to his gun with bullets that we were not aware of it been there. They demanded that I get out of the truck and asked where is the weapon.
We said there was no gun. They tore through the truck for hours and told us that we were under arrest, read us our rights in Spanish, took us to the Federal jail detention center, and told us that we were to be detained for 48hours and that we would have to pay a fine and will be released. This happened on 3/1/2022, and I was released on 3/3/2022. My husband is still there but was transferred to Matamoros Santa Adelaida prison. I have been his eyes and helping him do everything, and I am beating myself up now because I feel like I should have looked in that armrest, but I remember my husband taking his gun to his brother's house but somehow leaving the clip in our truck. I have contacted the US Consulate, and they went and visited him on 3/7/22. Saw that he was in medic, but two individuals were hovering around in the background, and he looked terrified. He didn’t answer many of his questions when were asked have he ate, and he didn’t answer. On 3/6/22, I started receiving a phone call at 4:38 from a Mexican number demanding money for my husband's safety. They asked for 6,000 in US currency. They placed my husband on the phone, and he begged for me to send these funds I explained that I didn’t have 6,000, and then the man asked what I had. I informed them that I could probably get 1500.00. They said to send that then, and I tried. They kept calling, but I could only get 1000.00 out, so I wanted to send it to Western Union. While trying to send the money, my husband informed me that the guard or warden did not run the jail and he was not eating or drinking. The person that was calling me said if they didn’t get any money they would make my husband sleep outside in the mud. My husband informed me that he was being treated like a dog and have been sleeping in a chair. The guy saw that I was trying but western union was close at Walmart and was not working at Walgreens, so he said to send the money in the Am and that he was going to call me. He did what he said but I just didn’t answer because I was told by my lawyer and family member to not send the money because they would just keep asking for more and I didn’t have it in the first place. I am really afraid for him because I am not able to visit and I know how bad his anxiety and PSTD and that he is almost blind and I was trying to see what the US can do with him being a US Citizen. He doesn’t have a record in the US and he is the kindest, sweetest person you’re ever meet. I have seen him give someone the jacket off his back. We have 6 kids at home waiting for our return. We wasn’t trying to smuggle anything in they country it was a honest mistake which he is having to pay for it. I need help and helping him get released.

If anyone can help would be gladly appreciated. I am staying in Brownsville at a hotel.

Thanks
Latisha Duncan