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Detroit native facing years in prison after being locked up in Chinese jail

Posted at 10:43 PM, Aug 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-10 07:37:39-04

A Detroit man is locked up abroad for a crime he says was not his fault. Now his family is fighting to bring him back home.

Loved ones say 30-year-old Wendell Brown is a standup guy - a top scholar.

He was a tremendous athlete at Martin Luther King High School and ball state. He also pursued a pro football career in Canada and Europe.

Wendell went to China to teach American football, English, health and fitness. His mother tells 7 Action News, Wendell loved the people and enjoyed his experience - until one day when things took a terrible turn.

“A group of guys wanted him to take pictures with them and drink with them. He refused and then they started throwing glass bottles at him. Wendell defended himself to keep from being harmed. He was the only one detained and he’s been detained since September 24th, 2016,” says Antoinette Brown, Wendell’s worried mother.

It's been 10 months that Wendell has been behind bars in china. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are aware of what’s happened.

Wendell’s trial was late last month. Now he is awaiting the verdict and sentencing.

Wendell, could spend 3- 10 years behind bars at a Chinese detention center, if convicted.

If you would like to help, his family would like you to share his story and reach out to your senators. The family has also set up a GoFundMe account.