US Citizens Detained for Over 10 Years, Families Urge Trump to Seek Release from Xi Jinping
Families of two US citizens, Dawn Michelle Hunt and Nelson Wells Jr., detained in China for over 10 years, are urging President Trump to seek their release during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. Both were convicted of drug-related offenses, but their families claim they were victims of a 'blind mule' scam, unknowingly carrying drugs.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 12:23
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（Central News Agency, Beijing, May 11th, Comprehensive Foreign Report）Families of two Americans detained in China for over 10 years are urging President Trump to seek their release during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.
Reuters reported that the two cases involve Dawn Michelle Hunt, 54, a Chicago artist and former flight attendant, and Nelson Wells Jr., 52, a Louisiana man with three children. Both were convicted of drug-related offenses, but their families claim they fell into a "blind mule" scam, unknowingly being used to carry drugs.
For Trump, who prides himself as a "negotiator" capable of bringing Americans home, securing the release of two ailing American prisoners would be a substantial gain in a Trump-Xi summit expected to have little breakthrough on trade, Iran, and Taiwan issues.
For Beijing, releasing two Americans on humanitarian grounds would be a low-cost diplomatic move, potentially earning goodwill from the volatile US president at a sensitive time in bilateral relations.
Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle Hunt's brother, said: "As President Trump and President Xi Jinping are about to meet, our two families are writing letters. We ask, can you help us request the release of our loved ones? We hope these letters can be delivered and read."
Tim Hunt stated that his sister is a talented "genius" artist, very intelligent, a former flight attendant, holds a degree in fashion design, and enjoys participating in raffles with her mother.
Tim Hunt said that Hunt was lured by fraudsters into an international "winning" trip. When she arrived in China, they gave her a handbag and a new suitcase with drugs hidden inside. She unknowingly agreed to carry it out of the country.
Wells had traveled the world, climbed mountains, and explored peaks in Japan, sharing these beautiful sights with his father. His family said Wells was arrested when he agreed to help someone carry a suitcase on his return from a trip to China. When airport security found drugs hidden in the bag, that person disappeared without a trace.
Wells' father, a US Army veteran, said: "I was happy to serve my country, and now I just hope my country will serve me."
A spokesperson for the US State Department said they are providing consular assistance to the two individuals, and officials are advocating for the health and well-being of these two citizens, but declined to provide details citing privacy concerns.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two individuals are serving sentences for serious drug-related crimes, and the government is handling their cases according to law, while ensuring their health and legitimate rights are protected. (Compiled by: Li Peishan) 1150511
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Reuters reported that the two cases involve Dawn Michelle Hunt, 54, a Chicago artist and former flight attendant, and Nelson Wells Jr., 52, a Louisiana man with three children. Both were convicted of drug-related offenses, but their families claim they fell into a "blind mule" scam, unknowingly being used to carry drugs.
For Trump, who prides himself as a "negotiator" capable of bringing Americans home, securing the release of two ailing American prisoners would be a substantial gain in a Trump-Xi summit expected to have little breakthrough on trade, Iran, and Taiwan issues.
For Beijing, releasing two Americans on humanitarian grounds would be a low-cost diplomatic move, potentially earning goodwill from the volatile US president at a sensitive time in bilateral relations.
Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle Hunt's brother, said: "As President Trump and President Xi Jinping are about to meet, our two families are writing letters. We ask, can you help us request the release of our loved ones? We hope these letters can be delivered and read."
Tim Hunt stated that his sister is a talented "genius" artist, very intelligent, a former flight attendant, holds a degree in fashion design, and enjoys participating in raffles with her mother.
Tim Hunt said that Hunt was lured by fraudsters into an international "winning" trip. When she arrived in China, they gave her a handbag and a new suitcase with drugs hidden inside. She unknowingly agreed to carry it out of the country.
Wells had traveled the world, climbed mountains, and explored peaks in Japan, sharing these beautiful sights with his father. His family said Wells was arrested when he agreed to help someone carry a suitcase on his return from a trip to China. When airport security found drugs hidden in the bag, that person disappeared without a trace.
Wells' father, a US Army veteran, said: "I was happy to serve my country, and now I just hope my country will serve me."
A spokesperson for the US State Department said they are providing consular assistance to the two individuals, and officials are advocating for the health and well-being of these two citizens, but declined to provide details citing privacy concerns.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two individuals are serving sentences for serious drug-related crimes, and the government is handling their cases according to law, while ensuring their health and legitimate rights are protected. (Compiled by: Li Peishan) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.