U.S. lawmakers traveled to Turks and Caicos in an attempt to secure the release of five American citizens who had been detained on ammunition possession charges. The Americans had been arrested over the last few months under strict laws in Turks and Caicos that prohibit possession of firearms or ammunition and carry a mandatory 12-year sentence. Despite efforts from lawmakers, including Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., they were unable to facilitate the Americans’ release. The latest arrest occurred in May, with one of the detainees, Michael Lee Evans, pleading guilty to possessing ammunition and scheduled for sentencing in June.
One of the detained Americans, Ryan Watson, 40, of Oklahoma, had traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife and friends to celebrate his 40th birthday but was arrested at the airport when hunting ammunition was found in his luggage. Similar incidents occurred with Bryan Hagerich, Tyler Scott Wenrich, and Sharitta Grier, all of whom had ammunition in their possession and were arrested. They claimed the incidents were inadvertent mistakes and expressed remorse for the oversight. Despite these claims, U.S. Embassy warnings emphasized the strict enforcement of firearm and ammunition laws in Turks and Caicos, with violations necessitating compliance with local law enforcement procedures.
Sen. Mullin and other lawmakers expressed concern over the consequences facing the detained Americans and stressed the need for leniency in their cases. They met with Turks and Caicos government officials to discuss the issue, highlighting the economic implications for the islands given their reliance on tourism, much of which comes from the United States. The lawmakers emphasized the need for a fair resolution that does not result in unjustly harsh punishment for the Americans, including Ryan Watson, and urged the court to consider “exceptional circumstances” in order to impose a sentence that is fair and just.
The governor’s office of Turks and Caicos clarified that Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Premier Charles Washington Misick cannot intervene or comment on pending legal cases due to the constitutional separation of the executive and judicial branches. However, the court has discretion to consider exceptional circumstances and impose a custodial sentence and fine that are fair in each case, rather than applying the mandatory minimum sentence. Efforts are ongoing to seek a resolution that avoids 12-year sentences for the detained Americans and ensures justice prevails in accordance with the circumstances of each case.
The detained Americans, including Bryan Hagerich and Sharitta Grier, are awaiting court hearings in June and July. While Michael Lee Evans has already pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing in June, Tyler Scott Wenrich and Ryan Watson are also facing upcoming court hearings. Lawmakers are hopeful that through continued advocacy and diplomatic discussions, a resolution can be reached that avoids harsh punishment for the Americans and takes into account the unintentional nature of their actions. Efforts are being made to utilize diplomatic and economic tools to address the situation and seek a fair outcome for the detained citizens.
