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Tahmooressi released from Mexican prison

Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi has been released from a Mexico prison.

"It is with an overwhelming and humbling feeling of relief that we confirm that Andrew was released today after spending 214 days in a Mexican jail," Tahmooressi's family said in a statement. "He is back on American soil and will shortly resume treatment for both his pre-existing combat related PTSD and the residual effects of months of incarceration – which has taken a toll on him far worse than his two tours in Afghanistan."

Hendersonville City Council member and HonorAir founder Jeff Miller launched an effort to help secure Tahmooressi's release by raising money for his legal fees and rallying support.

The Marine sergeant said he took a wrong turn on a California freeway ramp and drove across the border into Mexico, where Mexican authorities arrested him for weapons possession. Tahmooressi and his family said the weapons, which were purchased legally, were in his truck along with the rest of his possessions. Miller used the HonorAir organization to help raise money for attorney fees, joining veterans groups and politicians that pressed for his release.

Miller arranged for Tahmooressi's mother, Jill, and sister, Andrea, to visit Hendersonville for an event that rallied support for the Marine. The HonorAir effort raised $20,000 to help pay Tahmooressi's lawyer.

The Tahmooressi saga affected Hendersonville in one prominent way. Miller changed his Miller's Fine Drycleaning sign on King Street to a count of  Tahmooressi's days in prison, instead of the community announcements motorists had come to expect. Both Jill Tahmooressi and U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows called Miller on Friday to let him know that the Marine was being set free.