Latest Update (10/3 10:38 AM EST): Last night, Russell had his first night's sleep as a free man! The consulate is facilitating his departure from Mexico. He doesn't have any of his personal effects at this moment, so his personal cell phone isn't on him. We will let everyone know the moment he hits American soil, so please stand by.

We've told him all about what you've been doing for him all week, and he's overwhelmed and speechless (probably for the first time in his life). He's going to see every single one of your letters.

Everyone says the same thing: without this community's support, his life would be on a very different path this morning.

How You Can Help Starting Today (10/3): Send a note to Russell. He doesn't have access to email, phone, or Facebook yet, but we know everyone wants to reach out. So email [email redacted] and he'll get your messages once he's back.

UPDATE 10/2 11:22 PM EST: He's free and safe, and he's been in touch with family.

UPDATE 10/2 9:45 PM EST: So he appears to be free to go, we're waiting for more details. But the lawyer says he's going free tonight because of the community response - all the letters made the difference!

Our Dad and Grandaddy, Russell Lynch, has been arrested in Mexico, and our family is desperate for help!

Media Coverage: Former U.S. Marine, SC sheriff's office lieutenant arrested, held in Mexican prison (Spartanburg Post and Courier)

While moving back home to South Carolina, he accidentally crossed into Mexico. With him were his personal belongings — including his legally owned firearms collection. What should have been an innocent mistake turned into a nightmare. They've arrested him on very serious - but ridiculous - charges.

He's spent the last two days and nights in a Mexican jail, unable to speak Spanish... we can’t imagine what he’s going through right now.

Russell is a retired Marine Corps veteran and a Spartanburg County Deputy Sheriff. He has spent his life serving his country and protecting his community. He was on his way home to SC to start a new job when this happened.

Now he’s sitting in a federal court in Hermosillo, cut off from us. His only assigned lawyer doesn’t speak English, and we haven't talked to him directly in days. Y'all, we are terrified. This isn’t just unfair - it feels like it may even be political.

We know Dad isn’t a criminal. He’s a Marine, a retired cop, a father, a grandaddy - a God-fearing man of integrity. This is a mistake - one with serious consequences unless we can fight it.

We're asking for help to raise money for his legal defense. We have no way to protect him without outside support. Every donation will go directly to fighting these charges and getting Russell home.

If you can’t donate, here are other ways you can help:

Every prayer, every kind word, every share means the world to us right now. The community has been extremely vocal so far and we need that to continue.

Thank you for standing with Russell and our family during the hardest fight of our lives.