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American influencer and brother jailed for assaulting Dubai police

An American social media influencer and his brother have been sentenced to three months in prison in Dubai for assaulting police officers while under the influence of alcohol, AFP reports.

Joseph Lopez, a 24-year-old airforce veteran and Mister USA contender, and his brother Joshua were arrested after a night out for assaulting Dubai Police officers, resisting arrest, and damaging public property, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office.

In addition to their prison sentence, the brothers were fined $1,428 (Dh5,244) and will be deported after serving their time.

The incident, which involved injuring officers and damaging a police vehicle during an attempted escape, has jeopardized Joseph Lopez’s participation in the upcoming Mister USA 2024 pageant, where he was set to compete in November.

UAE authorities have not provided further details about the arrest.