Americans Facing Minimum 12-Year Prison Sentence for Carrying Ammunition in Turks and Caicos

Ryan Watson, a father of two from Oklahoma, is facing a minimum sentence of twelve years in prison after being arrested for carrying ammunition onto a plane while returning home from Turks and Caicos. Tyler Wenrich, also an American tourist visiting the island nation, was detained under similar circumstances on April 20th. Both men are legal gun owners in the United States but failed to detect that they were carrying bullets during their airport security checks prior to leaving for vacation. The recent passing of a mandate in February has made it mandatory for tourists traveling from Turks and Caicos to face more than twelve years behind bars if found with ammunition or bullets on them, which Watson discovered upon his arrest earlier this month. Despite both men getting through TSA security without issue before their flights out of American airports, the Transportation Security Administration is now investigating Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City where Watson departed from to get to Turks and Caicos. The U.S Embassy has issued a travel alert warning tourists that firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons are not permitted on the islands as local authorities strictly enforce all related laws. Both men have been granted bail but must remain in residence until their court appearance scheduled for June 7th. The families of both Watson and Wenrich thanked members of the public, government officials, and religious institutions who offered support during this difficult time while praying that justice is served on their behalf to expedite an earlier release date or mitigate sentences where possible.