Oklahoma man returns to US after ammunition bust in Turks and Caicos Islands

The Oklahoma man who faced a 12-year sentence in a tropical prison after Turks and Caicos authorities found four stray bullets in his luggage is returning to the United States after months of ordeal.

Ryan Watson, 40, was arrested at the country’s largest airport in April.

At his sentencing on Friday, Watson was sentenced to 13 weeks’ probation and a fine of $2,000 – or $500 per bullet – according to family spokesman Jonathan Franks.

Watson was expected to pay the fine and board a flight to Oklahoma City that same day.

After the verdict, the judge ordered American travelers heading to the Turks and Caicos Islands to double-check their luggage and asked the Transportation Security Administration to screen outbound travelers.

Watson is one of at least five Americans arrested this year for violating Turks and Caicos ammunition laws.

Watson had previously told Fox News Digital that he had not planned to take ammunition with him on vacation and that he had left the bullets in his bag after a previous hunting trip.

The country’s parliament unanimously approved a revision of the new regulation earlier this week after “significant resistance” from American lawmakers, the American newsline TCI reported.

In May, a bipartisan congressional delegation flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands and personally appealed for the release of the US citizens.

“This change in the law is a crucial step to ensure that our legal system is fair and flexible,” Parliamentary Opposition Leader Edwin Astwood told The Sun TCI, another local newspaper. “It recognises that not all cases are the same and that our judges must be able to take all factors into account and impose sentences that are truly fair and proportionate.”

He said the goal is to uphold the rule of law – but also to distinguish between real threats and people who have made a mistake.

Other Americans charged under the law include Bryan Hagerich, a 39-year-old father of two and former professional baseball player from Pennsylvania who returned home after spending more than 100 days in jail after the court agreed to pay a $6,500 fine, sparing him a prison sentence.

Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas, pleaded guilty to possessing seven rounds of ammunition, according to The Sun TCIHe was still awaiting sentencing but was allowed to return to the United States due to a serious illness, authorities said.

Tyler Wenrich of Virginia was released in May after paying a $10,000 fine. Sharitta Grier of Florida is also awaiting sentencing.