After a two-year hiatus, John and Marlena returned to Salem on September 26, 2011 for the dedication of the new Horton Town Square. During their visit, the couple announced that John's physical therapy was a success, and he is now able to walk again. Their shared joy was short-lived, however, when the FBI and the Salem PD order Rafe Hernandez to arrest John for embezzling from his company, Basic Black. To protect his family from danger, John pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for 25 years-to-life without parole. In the following days, Rafe and Carrie Brady were able to prove the evidence against John was doctored, and he was exonerated. Hope and Bo found out that while brainwashed by Stefano, Hope and John had been married, making their respective marriages to Bo and Marlena invalid. John and Hope set out for Alamania to get a divorce. Viewers, along with the hapless couple, were forced to revisit two "Days" storylines: "The Pawn", and "Princess Gina".