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Warmbier was on a tour of North Korea around New Year's, when he was caught trying to steal a banner from his hotel. Warmbier was detained for this subversive action, and efforts to bring him back home have been futile. 

Warmbier tearfully begged during a press conference, "My brother and sister need me. I beg that you see how I'm only human, how I have made the worst mistake of my life." 

Unfortunately, Warmbier's emotional plea fell on deaf ears, and it seems there is no other option for him than to serve the 15 years of hard labor. The Obama Administration have demanded for the release of Warmbier and accused the North Korean regime of using U.S. citizens as pawns to pursue political agendas.