MILWAUKEE -- Matty Gonzales, the Milwaukee native being held in Abu Dhabi, is coming home.
A representative for the Gonzales family tells TODAY'S TMJ4 he boarded a flight to Chicago early Friday morning. He was reunited with his sister at Chicago O'Hare airport early Friday afternoon (video above).
Gonzales is a beloved musician, bartender and everyman in Milwaukee. He’s stood up in 30 weddings, just one indication of how much his friends love him. During his detainment, the "#FreeMatty" hashtag was developed.
Gonzales was arrested in April for possessing the medicine Tramadol, which was prescribed by his doctor.
Initially, Gonzales was charged with illegal possession of the drug. However, when his sister flew to Abu Dhabi and produced the documentation showing the drug was prescribed, the charge was dropped. The judge, though, then slapped a new charge on Gonzales. He was essentially convicted of failing to declare he was in possession of the painkiller.
Gonzales' family had delayed the funeral of Matty's mother until June 24 in hopes he would be able to attend. Friends have also planned a fundraiser scheduled to take place Sunday at Nomad World Pub on Brady Street.
