Key points:
- Jeffrey Fowle of West Carrollton released from North Korea Tuesday
- He landed at Wright-patterson Air Force base this morning
- Fowle and his family returned to his West Carrollton home
- Former ambassador Tony Hall worked to get Fowle released
- Fowle can reapply for his job with City of Moraine
- Prior to his release, Fowle had been awaiting trial following a September conviction
- He arrived in North Korea in April and was arrested in May for leaving a Bible at a nightclub
- Washington repeatedly tried to send a high-level representative to North Korea to seek release of Fowle and three other Americans
UPDATE @2:10 p.m.: Jeffrey Fowle appeared with his attorney, Tim Tepe, Moraine Mayor Elaine Allison and his wife for a news conference this afternoon.
Allison said Fowle can reapply for his job with the City of Moraine. He lost his job last month after his benefits ran out. The position is open, she said.
Fowle did not speak, and his attorney said he needs some time and space before speaking publicly. He said Fowle needs time to get back into a routine and to spend time with his wife and children.
Tepe would not comment or respond to criticism Fowle has received for going to North Korea.
Allison thanked those who helped to bring Fowle home.
UPDATE @Noon:
Pastor Tom Pendergrass with Urbancrest Baptist Church, where Fowle attended, said “We are rejoicing that Jeff Fowle has been released. We plan to have a special time of prayer and celebration at the end of both our services Sunday.”
UPDATE @10:30 a.m.
Jeffrey Fowle appeared with his attorney, wife and children outside his West Carrollton home this morning. He did not comment, but gave a thumbs up when asked how he was doing.
His attorney, Tim Tepe, read the following statement to the media upon his return to his home in West Carrollton:
“Jeff is home. We’d like thank God for his hand of protection over Jeff these past six months, providing strength and peace over his family in his absence. The family would like to thank the U.S. State Department, the embassy of Sweden, former Ambassador Tony Hall … and all the people who have offered their love, support and prayers during this time. Although we are overjoyed by Jeff’s return home, we are mindful that Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller continue to be detained in the DPRK, and understand the disappointment their families are experiencing today that their loved ones did not return home with Jeff.
“Jeff would like you to know that he was treated well by the government of the DPRK and he is currently in good health. The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind for Jeff and his family. Jeff needs some time right now to get adjusted to his life at home.”
UPDATE @10 a.m.: Fowle has arrived home with his family. He spoke briefly with the media before going inside.
UPDATE@9:49 a.m.:
The motorcade escorting Fowle and his family from the base are on the road.
WHIO’s Gabrielle Enright, along with several other media members, is awaiting the motorcade’s arrival at their rural home.
FIRST REPORT
Family members of Jeffrey Fowle emotionally greeted the West Carrollton man Wednesday morning after he spent more than five months as a detainee in North Korea.
Fowle’s three children and his wife, Tatyana, rushed to embrace him as quickly bounded down the steps of a blue and white Air Force C-40 jet that reportedly carried him from North Korea to Guam and Hawaii before landing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at 6:42 a.m.
The 56-year-old former Moraine city worker made no comments to the press.
Fowle’s children were not told their father was coming home before they greeted him, said Col. John M. Devillier, commander of the 88th Air Base Wing, who was part of an entourage that met Fowle on the tarmac.
“I got teary eyed,” Devillier said. “The reaction from his children was priceless. They hadn’t seen their dad in some time and the expectation would be that they would get teary-eyed and they did and I did too. It’s great to welcome him home.”
The State Department had requested the Air Force assist to transport Fowle back to the Miami Valley.
The Air Force jet emblazoned with the United States of America on its side and the American flag on its tail departed the base about 20 minutes after Fowle got off the plane.
He had been held by North Korean authorities since May after he allegedly left a bible in a public place. North Korean authorities consider Christian evangelism a crime.
The Beavercreek High School graduate is a former equipment operator for the city of Moraine. In September, the city of Moraine terminated his employment after his leave from his job was exhausted.
Fowle was one of three U.S. citizens detained in the Democratic Republic of Korea, a communist nation largely isolated from the rest of the world.
