An air force veteran and his brother have been jailed in Dubai for drinking alcohol on a yacht, claiming they had taken drugs at a party.
Joseph Lopez, the current holder of the Mr. Louisiana title, and his brother Joshua have both been sentenced to one month in jail for alcohol-related charges they received while on vacation in June, the legal organization said. Detained in Dubai.
The pair, originally from Ohio, also face charges of “damaging government property and assaulting a police officer” – which lawyers say could carry a lengthy sentence. They are fighting the charges in court tomorrow.
Lopez, a B-52 mechanic and honor guard member, left the military nine months ago and began advocating for mental health on social media, with fans saying he tries to “inspire people, make them laugh, and feel connected.”
The influencer was also in contention for the prestigious title of Mr USA and had flown to the UAE with Joshua for a two-week trip before he was due to begin his preparations for the beauty pageant.
Air Force veteran Joseph Lopez (left) and his brother Joshua (right) have both been sentenced to one month in prison in Dubai for alcohol-related charges they received while on vacation in June
The pair also face charges of “damaging government property and assaulting a police officer” – which lawyers say could result in lengthy sentences. Pictured: Joseph Lopez with his dog
Lopez and Joshua appeared in court last week to answer for drinking alcohol. The two were each sentenced to one month in prison.
They are expected in court on August 20 to fight the second charge.
Dubai CEO Radha Stirling, who is being held, claims the pair were “drugged by locals” who invited them to a yacht party and were then “targeted by scammers” who wanted to “rob” them.
“They were given one drink on board the yacht and the next thing they remember is being taken away by plainclothes police officers in an unmarked vehicle,” she said in a statement issued after they were sentenced.
Stirling claimed the pair “had the impression they were being abducted” and alleges police refused to perform a blood test to check for the presence of drugs or sedatives despite the brothers’ requests.
“The government pretends that Dubai is a safe and crime-free destination for tourists, but the fact is that we are constantly targeting tourists,” she said, adding: “It is a myth that Dubai is crime-free. They just don’t acknowledge it because it is bad for business.”
Lopez and Joseph traveled to the UAE on May 25 and visited a popular club in Dubai called Bla Bla on June 2, but the night ended in an unexpected horror.
According to reports, an Uber approached the brothers while they were standing outside the club and suggested they go to an afterparty at a nearby hotel.
Lopez and Joshua accepted the offer and were immediately ushered into the VIP section, where they were presented with trays of food, bubbles and drinks that the brothers had not requested.
The social media influencer left the military nine months ago and became an advocate for mental health. Pictured: Lopez pictured in Dubai in an Instagram post uploaded on May 27
Lopez (pictured) and Joshua appeared in court last week to answer to a drink-driving charge. The pair were each sentenced to one month in jail. They are expected in court on August 20 to fight the second charge.
About 20 minutes later, as the business was about to close, Lopez reportedly received a bill that he immediately paid, even though he felt like he had been scammed.
“Uber drivers and other organizers are paid by some locations to attract tourists,” Stirling explained in a statement last month.
‘In this case they appear to have gone one step further by forcing residents to eat and drink, while they think it is free.’
Although Lopez became suspicious after his unexpectedly large bill, he explained that he was invited to a yacht by a partygoer, after which he said he was “done with the night.”
But the anonymous man persisted, telling Lopez and Joshua that they would be his “American guests.”
Eventually, the brothers agreed, and once aboard the luxury ship, they were offered drinks. Staff later tried to get them to pay more than $2,700, but Lopez refused several times.
The social media influencer then claimed that he and his brother started to feel strange, after which they were reportedly confronted by a group of Arabic-speaking men wearing black ski masks.
They tried to throw the brothers into the back of a vehicle and Lopez admitted he thought they were being kidnapped.
The pair were reportedly not breathalysed for at least 24 hours, but authorities took a urine sample several days later – after some drug residue had left their systems, according to reports.
Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling claims the brothers were ‘drugged by locals’ who invited them to a yacht party and ‘targeted by conmen’ who wanted to ‘rob’ them. Pictured: Joseph Lopez
“They didn’t realize the men were plainclothes police officers,” Stirling explains.
‘Police officers in plain clothes often approach tourists, grab them and intimidate them, without identifying themselves.
“Of course the tourist will defend themselves against what they perceive as an attack or worse. Ultimately, they will be wrongly charged with resisting arrest or assaulting a police officer.”
The terrified brothers were taken to Al Barsha, where they were held overnight until June 12.
Upon arrival, they told officers they were sedated, but police refused to test them.
The pair were reportedly not breathalysed for at least 24 hours, but authorities collected a urine sample several days later after some drug residue had cleared from their systems.
“Normally, police take samples immediately upon arrival to secure evidence against the arrestee,” Stirling said.
“It is very unusual and suspicious to have to wait several days for a test, especially if they have been made aware of the concerns.”
“Joseph Lopez is an Air Force veteran who helps people in difficult situations through his mental health care,” Stirling said earlier
According to Lopez, cellmates told the brothers that it is common practice in Dubai for visitors to be deliberately drugged and taken advantage of.
On June 12, Joseph and Joshua were granted bail with a travel ban.
They were not allowed to leave the country, despite the fact that the pair have not officially been charged with any wrongdoing.
The pair have now been sentenced to one month in prison and could face further sentences for ‘damaging government property and assaulting a police officer’.
Countless foreigners have been beaten, tortured and even killed in Dubai’s notorious prisons.