Americans Arrested for Transporting Ammunition to Turks and Caicos: Details Explained

Americans detained for delivering ammunition to Turks and Caicos Islands

Michael Lee Evans, 72, a Texan, Sharitta Grier, 45, a Floridian, Bryan Hagerich, a Pennsylvanian, and Ryan Tyler Watson, 40, an Oklahoman, and Tyler Wenrich, 31, a Virginian, were all charged with bringing ammunition into the 40-island chain of Turks and Caicos, located southeast of the Bahamas.

Although some have pleaded guilty, paid fines, or returned to the US, others are still facing trial. However, they have all affirmed that the ammunition found in their luggage was not intentionally packed, as per American lawmakers who are advocating for their prompt release.

Here's what we know about the Americans and the laws in Turks and Caicos:

Firearms and Ammunition are Forbidden in Turks and Caicos

Although Turks and Caicos does not manufacture firearms or ammunition, the number of firearms introduced to the islands has increased, prompting the British Overseas Territory to address the issue.

While it is legal to fly with unloaded firearms and ammunition in checked baggage in the US, carrying firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos without prior authorization from police is strictly forbidden. The mandatory minimum sentence for firearm and ammunition offenses is 12 years and a fine. The law is in place to protect the island inhabitants, according to Gov. DileeniDaniel-Selvaratnam.

However, judges have the discretion to issue reduced sentences in "exceptional circumstances." The Turks and Caicos premier stated that no special treatment should be given to any group.

American citizens are not being targeted, according to Turks and Caicos officials.

During the past six years, 195 people were sentenced for firearm-related offenses, and only seven were from the US. None of them received the 12-year sentence. Despite the collaboration between the US and Turks and Caicos in combating narcotics, terrorism, and money laundering, the laws and processes in the two locations differ.

Misick, the premier, emphasized that Turks and Caicos respects the US's laws and won't interfere with its operations.

Bryan Hagerich

Hagerich was the first to return to Pennsylvania after being given a suspended 52-week sentence on Friday, which means he won't be immediately incarcerated. He was also fined $6,700.

The father of two pleaded guilty to having 20 rounds of ammunition. Hagerich paid the fine and was permitted to leave the British Overseas Territory. He reached Pittsburgh International Airport on Friday night, reuniting with his children.

Before Hagerich's sentencing, his wife packed two suitcases – one in case he was sentenced to prison and another if he were allowed to return home.

"It was dark, you have no concept of time," Hagerich said about his week-long stay in Turks and Caicos. "I was with three folks that were accused of murder. It was scary."

Tyler Wenrich

Wenrich pled guilty to possession of ammunition while traveling to Turks and Caicos. He was sentenced on Tuesday to three weeks in jail and fined $9,000.

The Virginia resident had already served three weeks in jail, so the fine was recognized as time served, and he will not be immediately incarcerated.

The Hon. Justice Davidson Baptiste mentioned exceptional circumstances in Wenrich's case, stating that enforcing the mandatory minimum would have been "arbitrary and disproportionate, and would not serve the public interest."

Wenrich was charged with possessing two 9mm rounds, according to the Turks and Caicos government.

Michael Lee Evans

Evans, 72, pleaded guilty to possession of seven 9mm rounds of ammunition and appeared before the court on April 24 using video conferencing. He was given permission to return to the US on bail due to "severe" medical issues, but will need to return to Turks and Caicos for his June 18 hearing.

Ryan Tyler Watson

Oklinian Watson was charged with possession of four rounds of ammunition.

A 40-year-old individual appeared in court on April 24, as per TCGI, and at present, is under bail.

Watson admitted his wrongdoing during a hearing on the 24th of April, as Tynes, representing the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, informed CNN. He is set to be penalized in June.

Sharitta Shinese Grier

Grier was taken into custody two weeks ago and awaits her trial following her release on bail, Tynes stated.

The mother from Florida was unaware that there were two rounds of ammunition residing in her luggage when she visited Turks and Caicos, she disclosed to CNN affiliate WFTV earlier this month.

“I had no idea what was going to happen since I couldn't comprehend how it was in there. They went through my bag and said they found bullets at the base of my carry-on,” she said.

Grier's case is ongoing, hence her inability to exit the island until it's been resolved, and she needs to report to a local police station on a weekly basis, according to the television station.

"I'm totally shattered," Grier expressed.

Her next court hearing is on July 5, the authorities relayed.

US legislators made attempts to liberate citizens

A congressional delegation hailing from the USA journeyed to the islands the previous week and attempted to void the charges for the five US citizens.

One of the congressmen, Sen. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma, remarked in a declaration, "Unfortunately, despite our aspiration to cooperate with Tynes and Caicos officials in sending our constituents back home, we couldn't discover a feasible method today."

During an interview with ABC News last week, Congressman Rep. Guy Reschenthaler emphasised, "It's now evolved to where every third week, an American is being improperly detained in Turks and Caicos."

Reschenthaler conveyed to CNN that the prison in Turks and Caicos has been flagged by the UN for worrying humanitarian factors.

In a speech in the House of Assembly, Misick from the Turks and Caicos Islands insisted, "The accusations of congressman (Guy Reschenthaler) against the government and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are nothing more than malicious fabrications."

Reschenthaler conveyed to CNN's Manu Raju his hopes for a resolution involving no time served by the Americans, and their immediate return to the United States.

He continued, "They made inadvertent mistakes. Any other country would handle this with a penalty and sending the individual back to their homeland. Here, that's not occurring."

On Tuesday, Mullin appreciated the news of Wenrich's release, describing it as "yet another positive stride," as per a post on X.

"I once more urge TCI to attend to the unintended consequences of their legislation in preventing this from happening again."

CNN's Sahar Akbarzai, Michael Rios, Holly Yan, Fabiana Chaparro, Amanda Musa, and AnneClaire Stapleton collaborated on this story.

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The Americans facing trial in Turks and Caicos were charged for bringing ammunition into the country, which is strictly forbidden due to the increased number of firearms introduced to the islands. According to Gov. DileeniDaniel-Selvaratnam, the British Overseas Territory has a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years and a fine for firearm and ammunition offenses to protect its inhabitants.

Despite the high number of firearm-related offenses, only seven individuals from the United States have been sentenced during the past six years, with none receiving the 12-year sentence. This information further emphasizes the need for Americans to be aware of Turks and Caicos' strict gun laws, as misunderstandings can result in lengthy trials and penalties.

Source: edition.cnn.com