Current:Home > NewsAmerican arrested for bringing ammo to Turks and Caicos released, others await sentencing -×
American arrested for bringing ammo to Turks and Caicos released, others await sentencing
View
Date:2025-04-12 08:35:26
One American tourist who was visiting Turks and Caicos was released from custody on a 12-month suspended sentence and given a fine while four others await sentencing.
Bryan Hagerich, a Somerset County, Pennsylvania resident, was released from custody on Friday and ordered to pay a $6,700 fine, according to a News Nation article.
“I’m thrilled to see Brian Hagerich home to Pennsylvania,” Rep. Guy Reschenthaler wrote in a X post, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s time to bring me other four Americans still detained in Turks and Caicos home, too.”
A group of U.S. lawmakers visited Turks and Caicos this week. The delegation sought the release of Hagerich and four other Americans held on similar charges.
Why is ammo not allowed in Turks and Caicos?
The island cracked down on firearms and weapons within the country after implementing harsher gun laws in 2022. This was emphasized in a September 2023 alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas.
No ammunition, firearms or other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos. If a traveler is found with any of these items, they will have to serve a minimum sentence of 12 years, the embassy said.
The embassy also said tourists can declare that they have weapons within their luggage, however, Turks and Caicos authorities will not be able to secure their release from custody.
As more Americans visit the tropical island they are being detained for stray bullets begin found within their luggage.
Here’s what we know about the other Americans tourists that have been detained in Turks and Caicos this year.
'Boneheaded mistake':American found with ammo in luggage on Turks and Caicos faces 12 years
Other Americans detained in Turks and Caicos on ammo charges
Sharitta Grier
Sharitta Grier, 45, an Orlando, Florida resident, was charged with one count of possession of ammunition, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said.
During a routine search at the Howard Hamilton International Airport, Grier allegedly had ammunition in her luggage. Grier was charged on May 14 and appeared before the Magistrate Court on May 16, police said.
Police said Grier has a sufficiency hearing on July 5.
Ryan Watson
Ryan Watson, 40, was arrested on April 12 and charged with possession of ammunition after a routine check at the airport, police said.
Police said on April 24 Watson appeared in court and was granted $15,000 in bail under the following conditions:
- Not travel out of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) without the court’s permission
- Surrender his passport, and all other travel documents to the court
- Report to Grace Bay police station on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Reside at the given address in Providenciales; any address change will be provided before the court
Watson will have a sufficiency hearing on June 7.
Tyler Wenrich
Tyler Wenrich, 31, a Virginia resident, was charged with possession of ammunition, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said.
Police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force arrested Wenrich on April 23. Wenrich traveled to the island on a cruise ship and while going through a security checkpoint ammunition was discovered, police said.
Police said Wenrich is in custody at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He is currenting waiting for aNhearing on June 7.
Michael Lee Evans
According to reports, Michael Lee Evans, a 72-year-old man from Texas, was arrested and charged with possession of ammunition back in December of 2023.
Evans was allowed to go back to the United States on bail due to his health while he awaits his sentencing next month, multiple outlets state.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter).
Contributing: Judy D.J. Ellich, The Daily American
veryGood! (52)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Body of missing 2-year-old girl found in Detroit, police say
- Sanders Unveils $16 Trillion Green New Deal Plan, and Ideas to Pay for It
- Fossil Fuels on Trial: Where the Major Climate Change Lawsuits Stand Today
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Energy Execs’ Tone on Climate Changing, But They Still See a Long Fossil Future
- In California, a Warming Climate Will Help a Voracious Pest—and Hurt the State’s Almonds, Walnuts and Pistachios
- Kelis Cheekily Responds to Bill Murray Dating Rumors
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- In the Sunbelt, Young Climate Activists Push Cities to Cut Emissions, Whether Their Mayors Listen or Not
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Warming Trends: GM’S EVs Hit the Super Bowl, How Not to Waste Food and a Prize for Climate Solutions
- Norfolk Wants to Remake Itself as Sea Level Rises, but Who Will Be Left Behind?
- UN Climate Talks Slowed by Covid Woes and Technical Squabbles
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Make Fitness a Priority and Save 49% On a Foldable Stationary Bike With Resistance Bands
- A Surge From an Atmospheric River Drove California’s Latest Climate Extremes
- Is Natural Gas Really Helping the U.S. Cut Emissions?
Recommendation
'Most Whopper
Amy Schumer Says She Couldn't Play With Son Gene Amid Struggle With Ozempic Side Effects
Jennifer Garner and Sheryl Lee Ralph Discuss Why They Keep Healthy Relationships With Their Exes
Federal judge in Trump case has limited track record in criminal cases, hews closely to DOJ sentencing recommendations
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
How the Marine Corps Struck Gold in a Trash Heap As Part of the Pentagon’s Fight Against Climate Change
Khloe Kardashian Gives Update on Nickname for Her Baby Boy Tatum
Floods and Climate Change