Advertisement North Korean detainee ID'd as Lebanon churchgoer Jeffrey Fowle arrested April 29 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Officials are releasing more information about the Ohio man who has been detained in North Korea.Jeffrey Edward Fowle is a member at the Urbancrest Baptist Church.Watch this storySaturday night, his family spokesman, attorney Timothy Tepe, said the father of three was not on a mission for his church when he was detained in North Korea. He was just visiting, Tepe said.However, the North Korean government said the 56-year-old intentionally left a bible in a hotel he was staying at in North Korea, attempting to try to convert anyone who found it.The state-run Korean Central News Agency said Friday that he arrived in North Korea on April 29 and authorities were investigating him for committing acts inconsistent with the purpose of a tourist visit. It did not give details.Fowle is from Miamisburg and is active in his Lebanon church.He was part of a tour group that visited North Korea last month and has been locked up ever since.Tepe said the family would issue statement on Monday and not comment until then, "given the sensitive nature of Jeff's situation.""This is a very fluid situation that has just come to light and they need time to process it," Tepe said.Now, local and federal politicians are getting involved."I am deeply troubled by the detainment of American and Miamisburg resident Jeffrey Edward Fowle by the authoritarian government of North Korea. We have been in contact with the State Department,” Rep. Michael Turner said in a released statement.Members of Fowle’s church, who did not want to comment, said the family spokesman would update the church on the case Sunday at 9:30 a.m. during a service.Fowle is the third American detained in North Korea in recent years.The State Department has issued warnings against travel to North Korea