Another American arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands for carrying 9mm ammunition in his luggage receives a suspended sentence of 33 weeks

Another American who arrested on the Turks and Caicos Islands in recent months for possession of ammunition was given a suspended 33-week prison sentence on Monday, the court confirmed to CBS News. Michael Lee Evans of Texas had pleaded guilty and faces a possible prison sentence for seven 9mm cartridges found in his luggage when he visited the British territory late last year.

Evans, who is terminally ill, was allowed to return to the United States while on bail, local news outlet Magnetic Media reported. He attended Monday’s hearing via video link from Texas.

According to Magnetic Media, he was arrested in December when the ammunition was found in his luggage at the airport as he attempted to leave the islands after he and his wife renewed their wedding vows.

Four other Americans facing similar charges were ordered to remain on the islands while their cases worked their way through the Turks and Caicos legal system.

Ryan Watson of Oklahoma was receive a suspended sentence and a $2,000 fine last week for four rounds of ammunition found in his carry-on luggage when he and his wife tried to fly home in April.

Bryan Hagerich from Pennsylvania received a suspended sentence last month and a $6,700 fine for possession of 20 rifle cartridges found in his checked luggage on a family vacation. Tyler Wenrich of Virginia was sentenced to imprisonment and in May, also fined $9,000 for two 9mm cartridges found in his backpack as he attempted to board a cruise ship.

The three men have since returned to the United States. They would have faced a minimum sentence of twelve years in prison, but the courts concluded that there were exceptional circumstances in their cases, which led to a lighter sentence for the Americans.

According to local news outlet The Sun, members of the US Congress have abolished the minimum sentence for weapons offenses. Meanwhile, they have called on members of the US Congress to show leniency to Americans. Now judges can decide whether the punishment should be a prison sentence, a fine or both.

Grandmother from Florida Sharita Grier is due in court for sentencing on Tuesday. She was arrested in May after two bullets were allegedly found in her carry-on luggage as she flew home from a surprise Mother’s Day vacation.

Kris Van Cleave and Chrissy Hallowell contributed to this report.