I did a stupid thing in Mexico

I did a stupid thing in Mexico. I threatened my former building manager with a negative social media campaign if he did not pay 3000 pesos ($170US). He made my life miserable for a year and I wanted to wake him up, that he can't always push gringos around. I've done this sort of thing in the US with no repercussions. Apparently in Mexico this is a big deal, it's lumped in with other types of extortion, including even perhaps kidnapping.

I did not have a mexican credit card by which to easily receive the payment so I used the car of my girlfriend's brother. I figured there was no way he would pay, but I felt the anonymous letter I wrote, on behalf of a group of renters, would get the point across. Surprisingly the amount was paid.

My girlfriend was at my new apartment on a saturday morning when she told me she was being asked to come to the police station for questioning, that her brother was already there, and that it had to do with the 3000 peso payment.

My gf was interrogated intensely for 3 hours. It was so stressful for her that she started her period a couple days early. She told me that the interrogators had my photo, my full name and the address of my new apartment. The photo and name is easy but the fact that they had my new address sent a chill down my spine.

I thought about my options and decided my best bet was to leave Mexico, so I did. From my new destination I found a mexican attorney. He took the case seriously, outlining the worst case scenarios, involving incarceration for the brother and for me. The brother knew nothing about what the money was for, the girlfriend sort of knew. The attorney did a lot of work for free, researching and assessing the case. He eventually sent me a bill for $1500US, which would pay for his services up and through the investigation phase. He told me to prepare for questioning.

After a couple of weeks, there was no further contact of my gf or her hermano from any authorities. Nor was there any indication that I was being sought for questioning. My new building has security. If someone had come searching for me I believe I would have been notified.

It's only prudent to consider the gf angle, was she using this as an opportunity to get money from me. She hasn't asked me for any money.

The attorney suggests that during any fact finding our narrative is that the building manager owed me 3000 pesos, due to unfair and capricious assessment of parking fines. There is a record of these fines, which total 4000 pesos. It seems like a reasonable approach to me.

Among the possible outcomes outlined by the lawyer:

-the case does not move forward, the district attorney doesn't find it worth pursuing because of the small amount of money, no gang ties, no organized crime

-the case does make it to trial but is pled down to a fine

-the case goes all the way through trial, a conviction is achieved and the brother and/or I do time, perhaps 4-8 years.

I spoke with a helpful gentleman at the US consulate. He more or less confirmed the possible outcomes. He also indicated that there might be a way for me to participate in the trial via video.

I have no plans to return to Mexico. Ever. However, if there could be some sort of concrete judgement I could possess, a guarantee of sorts, that I am no longer the target of an investigation, or that the case has been adjudicated with outcome x, I would consider going back.

The attorney and I, and the consulate employee and I, discussed the matter of extradition or some sort of international red notice. The belief seems to be that it would be unlikely for a crime of this size.

Other concerns I have include whether or not some sort of international red notice issued for me, which could trip me up at non mexican borders. Also I'm concerned about my US assets being siezed.

If there is anyone out there who can shed any additional light on the situation I would love to hear from you.