American sentenced to probation in Turks and Caicos Islands for carrying ammunition in his pocket

An American tourist who arrested on the Turks and Caicos Islands was given a suspended sentence of 52 weeks on Friday for possession of ammunition and left the British territory after a months-long ordeal, a spokesman posted on social media. The spokesman for Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania had initially said the sentence was 52 months, but then corrected the length of the sentence.

Hagerich was one of the several Americans He faces a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison for munitions offenses in the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to spokesman Jonathan Franks, the judge concluded that the case had exceptional circumstances and that the long sentence was arbitrary. The father of two, who also had to pay a fine of $6,700, landed in Pittsburgh late Friday evening, where he was met by his family as well as Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Republican Representative. Guy Reschenthaler.

Before leaving the islands, Hagerich told reporters he was pleased with the outcome of his case.

“We have been waiting for this for the last 101 days. To experience this and to be home for eight short hours and hug my children, this is the best day,” said Hagerich.

He said he would tell his children that he loved them.

“We have a lot of catching up to do,” said his wife Ashley Hagerich.

Hagerich had pleaded guilty to possessing 20 rifle cartridges, according to the Turks and Caicos Islands government. He was arrested in February when the ammunition was found in his checked luggage, and he said he spent eight nights in jail before being released on bail.

“Honestly, those were some of the darkest, toughest times of my life,” Hagerich told CBS News last month.

Prime Minister C. Washington Mick In a statement on Friday, it said justice had been done “in the manner provided by law”.

“Today’s decision reflects our commitment to judicial independence and upholding the law,” Misick said in a statement. “Residents and visitors can be confident that the Turks and Caicos Islands are committed to safety and compassion as we protect the security and rights of all.”

Hagerich told news agencies that he did not know he had brought the hunting ammunition with him on a family vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but recognized it when authorities found it in his bag.

Who are the Americans arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands?

Hagerich is the first of several Americans arrested and convicted in recent months for munitions-related offenses. Three other Americans’ cases remain pending in the archipelago southeast of the Bahamas. A fifth American, also recently charged, has been allowed to return home on medical grounds.

Tyler WenrichA Virginia father accused of having two 9mm cartridges in his backpack while attempting to board a cruise ship pleaded guilty this week and is awaiting sentencing.

Ryan Watsonan Oklahoma father is expected to plead guilty next week after four rounds of hunting ammunition were found in his carry-on luggage last month.

Sharita GrierA court date is scheduled for July for a Florida grandmother who allegedly had two bullets in her carry-on luggage when she flew home from a surprise Mother’s Day vacation.

The cases caught the attention of members of Congress, who recently visited Turks and Caicos Islands and met with officials. Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, issued a statement Friday expressing gratitude for the judge’s decision.

“When we met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made it clear they wanted a resolution to this situation,” Fetterman said in a statement. “They recognized that Bryan and the other Americans arrested are not gun smugglers – they are simply people who made a mistake.”

Hagerich’s congressman, Republican Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, said the ordeal was preventable.

“While I am overjoyed that Bryan Hagerich is returning to Pennsylvania and will be reunited with his wife and two children, this horrific situation should never have happened to him,” Reschenthaler said on social media.

Travel advice for the Turks and Caicos Islands

Before the ruling was announced on Friday, Reschenthaler called on the Biden administration to ban Americans from traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands. He told CBS News that he wants the U.S. State Department to issue a travel ban on the islands.

“Without question, Americans should not travel to Turks and Caicos until two things happen,” Reschenthaler told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave on Thursday. “First, all of our detainees must be immediately released to the United States, and Turks and Caicos must repeal this draconian law that is in no way consistent with that of any other country.”

The State Department has issued a travel advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands, urging Americans to exercise increased caution there. This advisory is similar to the department’s travel advisories for some European countries and other locations.

In a similar case last year, an Indiana man spent more than five months in prison.

“No clean running water, you’re exposed to the environment 24/7, mosquitoes and tropical diseases are a real danger,” Michael Grim told CBS News.

How Generation Z is driving the rise in popularity of recreational marijuana

First black female pilot in the US Air Force completes her final flight

Steve Hartman visits his inner child “On the Road”