Air Force veteran and brother sentenced to Dubai prison after claiming they were ‘drugged’ at party

A US Air Force veteran turned influencer and his brother were detained in Dubai after claiming they were “drugged.”

Joseph and Joshua Lopez first asked the country for help last month after waking up in a police car following a night out in Dubai.

The couple originally flew to the United Arab Emirates on May 25 to shoot content for their social media pages. On June 2, they were leaving a nightclub when they reportedly encountered an Uber driver who offered to take them to an after-party at a hotel.

In conversation with Fox and friends firstVeteran Joseph claimed the brothers were given “plates of food, hookahs and a bottle,” so he just decided to “deal with it.”

After the party at the hotel ended, Joseph and Joshua were invited to a yacht party where they were reportedly presented with a huge bill, which Joseph believed was a “misunderstanding.”

After the matter was apparently resolved, an unidentified woman is said to have given him something to drink.

“I literally can't remember anything from the rest of the night except a few seconds here and there,” he said.

When he came to, Joshua and Joseph were sitting in the back seat of a police car. They were charged with assault, resisting arrest, damaging a patrol car and drinking alcohol.

Joseph and Joshua Lopez arrived in the United Arab Emirates in May. (Fox19 Now)

In the UAE, alcohol consumption is only permitted in licensed establishments such as bars, restaurants and hotels. It is illegal to be drunk in public or to walk around outdoors with a drink in your hand. Such offenses are punishable by a fine of around $1,360 or up to six months in prison.

Joshua and Joseph were initially released on bail but were not allowed to leave the country while they awaited their court date.

Last week, Joshua and Joseph appeared in court to face drinking charges and were each sentenced to one month in prison.

Their prison sentences could be extended if they are found guilty on the remaining charges. They are expected to be sentenced tomorrow (20 August).

In their interview with Fox, the brothers said the State Department was “informed about the situation.”

Joseph and Joshua were sentenced to prison. (Fox19 Now)

However, they urged authorities to do more, saying: “Our lives are at stake here. The number of years in prison we face on this charge is similar… It could be that this ruins our lives.”

The organization “Detained in Dubai,” which deals with the situation of people in the United Arab Emirates who face legal problems, called for diplomatic intervention by the United States in an article on the brothers’ situation.

“Without diplomatic intervention, these boys face potentially years of imprisonment in prisons notorious for human rights abuses and torture,” said CEO Radha Stirling.

“Joseph Lopez is an Air Force veteran who helps people in difficult situations by advocating for their mental health. He and his brother deserve every effort by the U.S. government to bring him home,” she said.