Officials of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) say they understand the concerns expressed by a U.S. Congressional delegation requesting the release of five Americans for violating the territory’s law against possession of ammunition.
However, in a statement released after a May 20 meeting with the delegation, they stated that the legal process must be allowed to play out without interference from the officials.
According to the statement, the constitution of the British island territory in the Caribbean requires a clear separation of power between the executive and judicial branches of government.
“In order to maintain the integrity of the legal process, the governor confirmed it would not be appropriate to facilitate the delegation’s request to meet with the chief justice,” the statement on the Turks and Caicos’ government website read.
Five Americans, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, Tyler Wenrich of Virginia, Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Michael Lee Evans of Texas, and Sharitta Shinise Grier of Florida, were all arrested at different times when ammunition was allegedly found in their luggage.
In each instance, the travelers claimed stray cartridges were overlooked when they packed. They also pointed out that the ammunition was missed by the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration and security checks at various airports.
If convicted, each could face a minimum 12-year prison sentence and a fine under TCI law.
The TCI statement opens the possibility of a lesser sentence.
“The sentencing judge does have discretion ... to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum,” the statement reads.
On May 20, a delegation that included U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.; U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn.; Rep. Guy Reschenthaler R-Penn.; Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.; Rep. Josh Brecheen R-Okla.; Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas; Florida Secretary of State Cory Bird; Angela Kerwin of the U.S. State Department; and U.S. Embassy Nassau Chargé d'Affairs Jason Crosby met with the TCI leaders.
Mr. Brecheen said he reminded the officials of how vital U.S. tourism is to the island’s economy.
In a statement released on May 21, after his return from TCI, Mr. Brecheen said that the arrests have instilled a “message of fear” in U.S. tourists.
“I shared my position with the attorney general and the premier that a modification of their law seems to be the only way to reverse the message of fear,” Mr. Brecheen said.
He also wrote that the United States must stand ready to respond once the sentences have been passed.
“America must respond appropriately, using every economic tool in our toolbox,” his statement reads.
TSA: Pack Bags Carefully
They were returning to Oklahoma when airport security found four rounds of ammunition “unknowingly left in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip,” according to a GoFundMe page set up for them.Both were arrested, but Ms. Watson was released and returned home later.
Mr. Hagerich and Mr. Wenrich were arrested in February and April, respectively, when airport security found ammunition in their luggage while they were passing through a security checkpoint.
U.S. and TCI officials warn travelers that it is their responsibility to ensure that their luggage contains nothing illegal.
“The Transportation Security Administration screening in the United States may not identify ammunition in a traveler’s baggage; it is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of ammunition and/or firearms,” TCI officials wrote on the social media platform X.
The State Department has also issued a travel alert urging Americans to carefully check their luggage “for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons.”
“Firearms, ammunition [including stray bullets], and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).
The alert states: “Declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in your arrest.”
