Article Summary –
Five American tourists, including a Florida grandmother and an Oklahoma father, face a potential 12-year mandatory prison sentence in Turks and Caicos due to ammunition allegedly found in their luggage. The bullets were discovered by airport security in their carry-on bags, and all five individuals claimed they were unaware of their presence. Possession of guns or ammunition is illegal in Turks and Caicos and was previously punishable by a fine, but a court order passed in February enforced a mandatory prison sentence, even for tourists.
Florida Grandmother Could Face 12-Year Prison Sentence in Turks and Caicos
A Florida grandmother, Sharitta Grier, faces a potential 12-year prison sentence in Turks and Caicos following a dream vacation turned nightmare. Grier was returning from her Mother’s Day trip when airport security discovered two bullets in her carry-on bag.
“I never experienced nothing like that,” said Grier in a CBS Mornings interview. She spent several nights in jail, describing her ordeal as “unreal” and “awful.”
Grier is among five Americans arrested on the British territory over alleged possession of ammunition in their luggage. All five stated they were unaware of the ammunition presence in their bags.
Grier believes the bullets had fallen into her luggage from an ammunition box she stores in her closet. “It was impossible for me to see it, hear it or anything in that bag,” she said.
Possessing a gun or ammunition is illegal in Turks and Caicos. Previously, offenders only faced a fine. However, a court order in February imposed a mandatory prison sentence, even for tourists, in addition to a fine.
Other Americans Detained Over Ammunition Charges
Among the detainees is Ryan Watson, a father of two from Oklahoma, who was arrested for having four hunting ammunition rounds in his carry-on bag. “I can tell the kids are hurting. It’s probably too much weight for an adult to bear,” said Watson.
Another detainee, Bryan Hagerich from Pennsylvania, expects to be sentenced soon, possibly setting a precedent for the remaining Americans. Watson said, “We’re still remaining really heavy in prayer right now.”
Pressure on Turks and Caicos Government
There’s growing pressure on the Turks and Caicos government as U.S. governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oklahoma have sent letters seeking mercy for the accused. They argue, “these men made mistakes but had no apparent malicious intents.”
Despite the pressure, the Turks and Caicos government clarified that due to the separation of executive and judicial branches, they cannot intervene nor comment on ongoing legal cases.
Grier, who has a court date on July 5, remains hopeful, stressing the importance of her family and community back home. “I have a whole life back home, you know? So it’s a lot,” she said.
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