Cuba releases American Alan Gross after 5 years in prison

WASHINGTON (KTRK) -- ABC News has learned exclusively that American contractor Alan Gross has been released from prison in Cuba and is now on his way home.

The 65-year-old American was set free following a humanitarian prisoner exchange arranged in secret over the past year.

Gross is said to be in poor physical condition. He was convicted of espionage by a Cuban court in 2011 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He's served 5 of those years.

Gross said he traveled to Havana to help the island's Jewish population connect to the Internet.

In exchange for his release, three Cuban agents who were convicted of spying in the U.S. on anti-Castro groups are being sent back to Cuba.

The exchange could mark the beginning of a promised new relationship with Cuba. President Obama is expected to make an announcement later this morning, with the The White House already indicating the beginning of new talks on everything from travel restrictions to eventual lifting of the Cuban embargo.

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