US tourists arrested for ammunition offenses in Turks and Caicos: What you should know

An American tourist visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands has been released from prison on 12 months’ probation and a fine, while four others await sentencing.

Bryan Hagerich, a resident of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, was released from custody on Friday and ordered to pay a $6,700 fine, according to a News Nation article.

“I’m so happy to see Brian Hagerich back in Pennsylvania,” wrote Rep. Guy Reschenthaler in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s time to bring home the other four Americans still detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

A group of U.S. lawmakers visited the Turks and Caicos Islands this week. The delegation called for the release of Hagerich and four other Americans imprisoned on similar charges.

Why is ammunition not allowed in the Turks and Caicos Islands?

The island cracked down on firearms and weapons in the country following the introduction of stricter gun laws in 2022. This was highlighted in a September 2023 warning from the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas.

Ammunition, firearms or other weapons are not allowed in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Anyone caught with one of these items will face a minimum sentence of 12 years, the embassy said.

The embassy also said that while tourists could declare that they had weapons in their luggage, the Turks and Caicos Islands authorities would not be able to secure their release from detention.

More and more Americans are visiting the tropical island and are being arrested because stray bullets are found in their luggage.

Here’s what we know about the other American tourists arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands this year.

“Stupid misstake”:American with ammunition in his luggage on the Turks and Caicos Islands faces 12 years in prison

More Americans arrested on Turks and Caicos Islands for ammunition offenses

Sharita Grier

Sharitta Grier, 45, of Orlando, Florida, has been charged with possession of ammunition, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police said.

During a routine search at Howard Hamilton International Airport, Grier was found to have ammunition in her luggage. Grier was charged on May 14 and appeared in District Court on May 16, police said.

Police said Grier has a hearing on the sufficiency of his charges on July 5.

Ryan Watson

Ryan Watson, 40, was arrested on April 12 after a routine airport check and charged with possession of ammunition, police said.

Police said Watson appeared in court on April 24 and was granted bail of $15,000 under the following conditions:

You may not leave the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) without the permission of the court.
Handing over his passport and all other travel documents to the court
Report to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Residing at the address provided in Providenciales; any change of address will be notified to the court

Watson will have an evidence adequacy hearing on June 7.

Tyler Wenrich

Tyler Wenrich, 31, who lives in Virginia, has been charged with possession of ammunition, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police said.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force arrested Wenrich on April 23. Wenrich had traveled to the island on a cruise ship and ammunition was discovered during the security check, police said.

According to police, Wenrich is in custody of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He is currently awaiting a hearing on June 7.

Michael Lee Evans

According to reports, Michael Lee Evans, a 72-year-old Texas man, was arrested in December 2023 and charged with possession of ammunition.

According to several media reports, Evans was allowed to return to the United States on bail for health reasons while he awaits sentencing next month.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on USA TODAY’s National Trending Team. Ahjané covers breaking news, auto recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter).

Contributors: Judy DJ Ellich, The Daily American

Related Posts

Isolated storms, temperatures around 27 degrees in North Georgia this afternoon

Body found in pond near UCF

Police bodycam video released of fatal police shooting of Florida man