Valerie Watson and her husband Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos for a long weekend trip, but their plans were disrupted when airport security found four rounds of hunting ammo in Ryan’s carry-on bag. While Valerie was allowed to return home without charges, Ryan is facing a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in jail on the island. This unexpected turn of events has turned their dream vacation into a nightmare. Unfortunately, they are not the only ones experiencing this situation, as other tourists have been detained in similar circumstances.
Another individual, Bryan Hagerich, from Pennsylvania, is also awaiting trial after ammo was found in his checked bag earlier this year. Despite being allowed to return home, experiencing difficult times in jail has been challenging for him. Since November 2022, there have been a total of eight firearms and ammunition prosecutions involving tourists from the United States, with three currently before the court. Previously, tourists could pay fines for possessing firearms or ammunition, but this changed in February with a court order mandating prison time, even for those leaving the country.
Michael Grim, from Indiana, served almost six months in prison after pleading guilty to accidentally having ammunition in his checked bag on a trip to Turks and Caicos. He described the harsh conditions in prison, including exposure to tropical illnesses and hostile actors. The U.S. embassy had issued a travel alert warning Americans to check their luggage for stray ammunition, as they would not be able to secure their release from custody. The State Department confirmed that when U.S. citizens are arrested overseas, they are subject to the laws of that country, even if they differ from U.S. laws.
Ryan Watson expressed disbelief at the situation, fearing he would miss significant life events like his son’s graduation or teaching his children important milestones. The Turks and Caicos government reiterated the law regarding firearms and ammunition possession, stating that even with extenuating circumstances, the judge is required to mandate prison time. The U.S. embassy has been providing consular assistance to the Americans arrested in Turks and Caicos, while TSA found a record number of guns at airport security checkpoints last year. Many of these guns were loaded, highlighting the importance of adhering to travel regulations.
