WELCHES, Ore. (KOIN) – Troy Bachmann is back on his deck overlooking the Sandy River near Welches. It’s a spot he thought about often while he sat alone for more than 8 months in a Mexican jail.
For more than 20 years, Bachmann lived in Mexico. He had a fly fishing manufacturing business that he sold in 2008 and began growing produce. The business did well – until May 19, 2015.
That day he was jailed by Mexican authorities for what they said was agricultural fraud.
Since that day, he sat alone and wondered if anyone in Oregon could help him navigate his complicated path to freedom.
“It kind of breeds a certain amount of desparation inside, like how am I ever going to get out of here if I don’t have the community to support me or the senators or the government?” he told KOIN 6 News.
His brother, Derek, spearheaded getting help from the community plus Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.
Friends and family will hold a welcome home party at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches.
“This is therapeutic, it really is,” Bachmann said. “Just to be back home is a great feeling.”