Three US Governors have intervened in a case involving the detention of three Americans in Turks and Caicos for possession of ammunition. The Governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia—Kevin Stitt, Josh Shapiro, and Glenn Youngkin, respectively—have collectively appealed via a letter to Turks and Caicos Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam to reconsider the charges against the detained individuals. In other words, drop the ammunition offenses against their respective residents.
The letter stated: “As governors, we understand and appreciate the critical importance of upholding the laws and regulations of your territory for the protection of your citizens. We humbly ask that your government — in its wisdom — temper justice with mercy and recognize that these men made mistakes but had no apparent malicious intent. We respectfully request you reconsider the charges … and expedite their release back to their respective states and families as soon as possible.”
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Reportedly, Ryan Watson, Tyler Wenrich, and Bryan Hagerich, along with two other unidentified Americans, were arrested under Turks and Caicos’ firearms and ammunition laws. The letter sent by the Governors emphasized that the detained individuals, like many Americans, visited the territory for leisure and denied any intention to bring ammunition into Turks and Caicos.
The minimum prison sentence for carrying ammunition in Turks and Caicos is 12 years and the detained individuals have asserted that any ammunition found in their possession was unintentionally left in their luggage and was a result of lawful conduct in the US.
Ryan Watson, who was arrested on April 12, explained to Fox News that the ammunition was from a previous hunting trip.
Bryan Hagerich, who appeared in court on May 3, faces the possibility of a minimum 12-year sentence for carrying ammunition in his bag at the airport. The judge has ordered him to remain on the islands for an additional three weeks until his sentencing.
Eight firearms and ammunition prosecutions involving tourists from the United States have been brought on the island since November 2022.
Possessing either a gun or ammunition is prohibited in Turks and Caicos, however, tourists were previously able to just pay a fine. This changed in February when a court order required even tourists to potentially face mandatory prison time in addition to paying a fine. The territory’s attorney general has advised that the sentencing judge has discretion to impose a custodial sentence of less than 12 years if a court finds there were exceptional circumstances surrounding the discovery of ammunition.
