Dubai brothers caught and charged with crimes claim they were set up: "Our lives are at stake"

Two Ohio brothers accused of crimes in Dubai are requesting aid, asserting they were set up and possibly drugged during a night out that culminated in them being found unconscious in the back of a police vehicle after a yacht celebration.

Joseph Lopez and his brother Joshua, both U.S. Air Force veterans, have been trapped in Dubai for nearly two months after going to the United Arab Emirates to film content for their social media platform. They are now facing years behind bars if convicted and have turned to "Fox & Friends First" to discuss their plea for help.

"Joseph stated on Friday that the State Department was aware of their situation. He explained that while they were informed that the department was monitoring their case, what they truly needed was action to address the seriousness of the charges against them, which could result in years of imprisonment and potentially ruin their lives."

"We require assistance from everyone, including our politicians and our country," he stated.

According to Detained in Dubai, on June 2, the pair exited a nightclub and an Uber driver proposed taking them to an "afterparty" at a nearby hotel.

"We were escorted to the VIP section and given a plethora of items we didn't request, including platters of food, hookahs, and a bottle. However, I was just like, "OK, I'm in Dubai. I'm going to go with it and have some fun." Despite being advertised as open for several hours, the place closed after only 20 minutes."

The brothers were invited to a yacht party shortly after the party they attended ended. Despite initially declining, the man convinced them to accept his invitation, stating that they would be his American guests.

After agreeing to attend, they were hit with a bill of over $2,700 upon arriving on the boat.

"Joseph exclaimed, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! I was invited as a guest and a friend, but I said I wouldn't spend any more. They came over twice more, and then we went outside to speak to some people. They apologized for the misunderstanding and said, 'Go in and enjoy yourselves.'""

Then, things took a turn for the worse.

"A woman came over and brought me a drink, and after I drank it, I don't remember anything for the rest of the night except for a few seconds here and there," he said.

The next morning, the pair found themselves in the back of a police car with no memory of how the night unfolded. They were charged with assaulting an officer, resisting arrest, damaging a patrol vehicle, and consuming alcohol, according to the New York Post.

Although Joseph and Joshua have been granted bail, they are currently unable to depart the country. If convicted, they may face lengthy imprisonment.