Skip to main content
U.S. Edition
Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WORLD

3 Americans held in Congo released

YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS

Democratic Republic of Congo
Coup d'Etat
U.S. State Department

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department Sunday confirmed three Americans arrested over a week ago by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been released.

The U.S. consultants, working for AQMI Strategy, were part of a security team charged with "providing high-level consulting and security services" to Dr. Oscar Kashala, a presidential candidate in Congo's June 30 elections, according to the Orlando, Florida-based company.

AQMI is making arrangements for their return, according to State Department Duty Officer Janelle Hirnimus.

The company identified the three Americans arrested as:

  • Joseph Robinson, 47, a former captain in the Orlando Police Department and former deputy chief of staff for Orlando mayors Glenda Hood and Buddy Dyer;
  • Kevin Billings, 48, a retired Secret Service agent who was in charge of providing protection for U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush; and
  • Seth Taylor, a subcontractor from San Diego.
  • They were arrested on May 19 along with 23 Nigerians and South Africans, reportedly on suspicion of a coup attempt, which was flatly denied by AQMI Strategy and Pretoria-based Omega Risk Solutions, which employed most of the others arrested.

    Story Tools
    Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time! cover
    Top Stories
    Get up-to-the minute news from CNN
    CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
    Top Stories
    Get up-to-the minute news from CNN
    CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
    CNN U.S.
    CNN TV E-mail Services CNN Mobile CNNAvantGo Ad Info About Us Preferences
    Search
    © 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
    A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
    Terms under which this service is provided to you.
    Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map.
    Offsite Icon External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
    Pipeline Icon Pay service with live and archived video. Learn more
    Radio News Icon Download audio news  |  RSS Feed Add RSS headlines