Florida woman tells horror story after being arrested in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition – NBC 6 South Florida

During a tearful video call, Sharitta Grier emphasized how the trip of a lifetime suddenly turned into a nightmare.

Grier was arrested on May 13 after security at Howard Hamilton Airport in Providenciales found two bullets in her luggage. She pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.

The 46-year-old mother spoke in a video call from the Turks and Caicos Islands with NBC6 affiliate station WESH in Orlando.

“I never brought a firearm to the Turks and Caicos; it was just two rounds of ammunition. I did not know it was in my bag, nor was there any intention of it being in my bag,” Grier told WESH.

If you are found guilty of bringing a firearm, ammunition or other weapons into the Turks and Caicos Islands, you can face a 12-year prison sentence.

“I’ve never been in trouble or arrested,” Grier told WESH

Grier said she traveled with a bag that she usually used to hide her gun and ammunition. She claimed that before she left, the TSA in Orlando inspected her carry-on luggage and confiscated her body spray and moisturizer, but they were unable to find the ammunition.

“I never intended to disrespect anyone’s country,” Grier said.

The mother from Orlando is the fifth US tourist to face a prison sentence of up to 12 years in the Turks and Caicos Islands. She is accused of illegally carrying ammunition on her recent trips in recent months.

Grier says she’s becoming more and more concerned about her health as time goes on.

“My leg is bothering me because I have blood clots and I’m off my medication,” Grier told WESH.

Grier said she suffers from hereditary blood clots that require special medications that she can no longer take unless she sees a hematologist.

“There are no words to describe how much I miss my family. It’s so heartbreaking to only be able to talk to them through FaceTime,” Grier said.

Grier hopes to return home to her family sometime in July.