( CNN ) -- U.S. Marine reservist Sgt . Andrew Paul Tahmooressi is enjoying his first day home Saturday in Miami , freed from a seven-month detention in Mexico in a weapons case that he claimed grew merely from his taking a wrong turn . His jailing drew widespread attention because he and his mother made an emotional plea for his release , echoed by such public figures as former New Mexico Gov . Bill Richardson and television host Montel Williams , both of whom pressured Mexican officials on Tahmooressi 's behalf . The Marine who served in Afghanistan said he was being wrongly prosecuted and was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder . `` I think he 's thrilled , '' family spokesman Jonathan Franks told CNN on Saturday morning . `` It 's setting in . They need a little bit of time to reconnect as a family , '' Franks said . A big , long hug . Tahmooressi boarded a flight from San Diego late Friday , shortly after his release . `` It is with an overwhelming and humbling feeling of relief that we confirm that Andrew was released today after spending 214 days in Mexican jail , '' his relatives said in a statement . It was an emotional reunion with `` big smiles '' and a big , lengthy hug between Tahmooressi and his mother when they saw each other Friday evening . `` Without question , it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life , '' Franks said , who was present for the mother-son reunion . `` Everybody was very excited . '' `` These are people who guided by deep faith , and they 're grateful . I 'm not sure how much more eloquently you can put it , '' Franks said . Tahmooressi is in good physical condition , Franks said . `` Obviously he has n't spent a lot of time outside . He has n't had much access to a gym as he had in his prior life , but he looks great , '' Franks said . The Marine does n't bear any `` ill will '' toward Mexico , Franks added . Making 'the right choice ' Tahmooressi and his mother were n't making public comments Saturday . `` After a while , he will speak for himself , '' Franks said . `` I think it 's going to be several days , some time next week . '' Richardson said he was among those who pressed for Tahmooressi 's release , and he visited the former Marine at Mexico 's El Hongo federal prison last week . `` I think the Mexican judge made the right choice ... because of PTSD , on humanitarian grounds , ( that ) he should be released , '' Richardson told CNN on Saturday morning . `` He 's a good young man , '' Richardson said . `` He served two tours in Afghanistan . He 's suffered enough . '' State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said many U.S. officials and some Congress members worked through the Mexican legal process on behalf of Tahmooressi . `` We are pleased Mexican judicial authorities ordered Sgt . Tahmooressi released on October 31 , '' Psaki said . Mexican Embassy : Respecting the law . Mexican officials said `` the legal process was carried out in strict accordance with the applicable legal framework and with full respect for the rights and guarantees of the U.S. citizen , '' the Mexican Embassy said in a statement . `` During the time of his detention , he received medical care and ( accommodations ) were made for him to receive personal visits , '' the embassy said . `` The Government of Mexico reiterates its commitment to fully respect the rule of law as well as the human rights of all those within its jurisdiction . That includes the right of foreign citizens to consular notification and access , as well as guarantees of due process . '' Tahmooressi was held on weapons charges after his arrest March 31 at a checkpoint in Tijuana , Mexico . At the time , Mexican customs agents found three firearms in his truck , including a .45-caliber pistol , a pump shotgun and an AR-15 rifle . Mexico has strict federal laws on bringing weapons into the country . Since his arrest , Tahmooressi has maintained that he took a wrong turn on the California side of the border and accidentally crossed into Tijuana . The Mexican court said it found no cause to prosecute him on charges of carrying two firearms used exclusively by the military , possessing cartridges used exclusively by the military and carrying a firearm without a license . It also recommended he be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder . Some Mexicans ' criticism . Some Mexican nationals , however , criticized Tahmooressi and said it was no accident he was caught with guns in Mexico . Fernando Benitez , an attorney for Tahmooressi , acknowledged how `` in any country there will be some very specific sectors of society that will be a little extreme in their views . '' `` Mexico 's not an exception , '' Benitez told CNN . `` However , most people that really got to know the workings of the case agreed that this young man has to come back home . '' If the case went to trial , Benitez felt Tahmooressi would have won , the attorney said . `` You know , it was a complicated case , but it was n't -- never felt we could n't win it , '' Benitez said . On Monday , Benitez will try to reclaim the Marine 's truck and weapons , said the lawyer who 's based in Tijuana , Mexico . Mother pleaded for release . In May , his mother said he served with the Marines in Afghanistan , and had moved to the San Ysidro , California , area to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder . `` He has unresolved , or untreated PTSD , and he can not get the cognitive therapy behavior that veterans of America receive ... in a Mexico jail , where there is no such thing , '' Jill Tahmooressi said earlier this year . Paul Tahmooressi has described a suicide attempt by his son with a shattered light bulb after being punched , slapped , cursed at , deprived of water and food , and shackled to a bed with a four-point restraint . Conditions improved after media coverage of his plight , he said . Mexican prison authorities have denied the abuse allegations . CNN 's Joe Sutton and Fidel Gutierrez contributed to this report .
NEW : Marine would have won case if it went to judgment , his attorney says . Sgt . Andrew Paul Tahmooressi and his mother reunite with `` big smiles '' and long hug . He was arrested in Afghanistan , Tahmooressi , on today . Tijuana served in Tahmooressi and suffered from PTSD , his mother says .