Friday’s court date could determine fate of Americans arrested for bringing ammunition to Turks and Caicos Islands

An Oklahoma man arrested for bringing ammunition to the Turks and Caicos Islands says a court hearing Friday could determine the fate of several Americans facing a similar situation after a new policy went into effect in the popular vacation spot.

“The date on which everything depends is this Friday. Bryan Hagerich will go to trial on May 3,” Ryan Watson, who was arrested after stray bullets were discovered in his luggage while his family He was returning from his vacation. ” on Sunday.

Hagerich’s case, he explained, will be the first tried since a February court order ruled that tourists in the process of leaving the country are also subject to prison sentences for possession of firearms or ammunition.

OKLAHOMA AIRPORT UNDER TSA MICROSCOPE AFTER DAD FOUND AMMUNITION IN TURKS AND CAICOS PRISONS

Previously, tourists could pay a fine in most cases, according to reports.

Ryan and his wife Valerie were flying home from their vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where they were celebrating a friend’s 40th birthday, on April 12, when they were arrested at the airport.

Valerie, who is now home in Oklahoma, told guest host Carley Shimkus that the hardest part is explaining the situation to her two children.

“There are a lot of unknowns right now and I think that’s probably the most concerning of all, because I really don’t know what to tell the kids when they ask me, ‘Do you know how long daddy will be gone?'” she said.

AMERICANS ARRESTED IN TURKS AND CAICOS FACE 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ‘INNOCENT MISTAKE’: ‘WE NEVER FELT’

Tyler Wenrich also faces a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison after two stray bullets were found in his bag while traveling home from the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Michael Wenrich)

“We’ve been praying a lot and we have a lot of faith, and we know that this is part of God’s plan for us, and we’re doing everything we can to keep going and keep praying, because that’s really all we can do.” we can do. “We’re kind of in a waiting phase right now, and it’s been a little difficult.”

Both Ryan and Valerie insist they didn’t know the bullets were in the carry-on bag. Labeling himself a “responsible gun owner,” Ryan said gun safety has always been something he has stressed to his children, but that the incident over the holidays was a simple mistake.

“We’re human, we make mistakes and it was just an oversight. I never saw those bullets there and unfortunately, not only did I miss them, but the TSA missed them as well.”

OKLAHOMA MAN WITH AMMUNITION AT TURKS AND CAICOS AIRPORT FACES 12 YEARS IN PRISON: ‘RISK OF LOSING EVERYTHING’

Ryan explained that the bag was previously used for a deer hunting trip in Texas last year.

Watson and Tyler Wenrich, another American arrested on the same charges, are scheduled to appear in court on May 7.

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