Marine reservist freed from prison in Mexico is arrested in Georgia

A Marine reservist held for seven months in a Mexican prison on weapons charges has been arrested in Georgia on suspicion of reckless driving and drunk driving.

Andrew Tahmooressi, released by a Mexican judge in October so that he could return to the U.S. and get treatment for PTSD, was arrested in Emanuel County about 180 miles from Atlanta.

“We certainly ask for and invite prayers for the Tahmooressi family during this difficult time,” a spokesman for the family said within hours of the arrest. “Our primary goal is getting him the help he needs, and ensuring he is not held up to undue public scrutiny as the result of his mental illness.”

The 26-year-old Tahmooressi, who lists his home as Daytona Beach, Fla., was held in jail overnight and then released Thursday after posting a $4,000 property bond.

“Andrew realizes he needs an increase in the level of help he has been receiving for his PTSD,” the family spokesman said after Tahmooressi was released. “The process of getting that help began yesterday.”

An open container of alcohol was allegedly found in Tahmooressi’s vehicle when he was stopped Wednesday night after passing in a no-passing zone. He declined to take a field sobriety test, officials said.

Tahmooressi, a sergeant, served two combat tours in Afghanistan. After leaving active duty, he moved to the family home in Florida then traveled to San Diego in hopes of receiving treatment at the Veterans Affairs hospital in La Jolla.

He was arrested by Mexican authorities March 31 at the San Ysidro border crossing after guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found in his pickup truck. He insisted that he crossed the border by mistake, not to sell the weapons.

His mother, Jill, campaigned tirelessly in the media for her son. Talk-show host Montel Williams and actor Gary Sinise also called for his release, along with numerous politicians.

After four hearings in a federal court in Tijuana, a judge on Oct. 31 ordered Tahmooressi’s release from the prison in Tecate and the charges against him dropped.

A court-appointed psychiatrist had urged the judge to end the case so that Tahmooressi could return to the U.S. and receive treatment.