Fox’s first appearance – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin sent a letter Wednesday to Turks and Caicos Islands Gov. Dilini Daniel Selvaratnam, under the country’s firearms laws. He called for the release of three recently arrested Americans.
Turks and Caicos Islands recently set a minimum prison sentence of 12 years for tourists caught with ammunition washed up in their luggage, including Ryan Watson of Oklahoma and Tyler Watson of Virginia arrested since February. Three Americans now face that fate, including Wenrich and Brian Hegerich of Pennsylvania.
“This makes absolutely no sense. This penalty doesn’t fit the crime,” Stitt, a Republican, told Fox News Digital. “These people were trying to get out of the country. They had no intention of doing so. They weren’t trying to hurt anyone. They weren’t using guns. I want everyone to know, there were no guns. Ta.”
Mr Watson, a 40-year-old father of two, was arrested on April 12 for allegedly having ammunition in his bag and remains on the island awaiting a court hearing. He previously told Fox News Digital that he had ammunition in his bag from a previous hunting trip.
Court hearing of American arrested with ammunition in bag in Turks and Caicos Islands could set new precedent
Ryan Watson and Valerie Watson vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Facebook)
Stitt knows the Watson family personally, as Watson’s wife Valerie is a teacher at the same school Stitt’s children attend.
“He can’t leave the island until he’s sentenced, so we just hope that cooler heads prevail,” Stitt said. “But like any other family, this is a young couple and two small children. She is a single mother here now. … I have not spoken to his employer, but I I can’t imagine the financial stress it would cause my family and the emotional stress I would put on my children. ”
American arrested in Turks and Caicos Islands could face 12 years in prison for ‘innocent mistake’: ‘He never disrespected us’
Stitt said working Americans are saving money to vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the recent arrest of an American with a stray bullet in his bag is discouraging future travelers. He said the move could have a negative impact on the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy.
Governor Stitt of Oklahoma, Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia are calling for the release of three Americans held in the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Brandon Bell)
“Like thousands of Americans each year, these people recently visited your beautiful territory for leisure,” the governors wrote in a joint letter shared with Fox News Digital. “They all claim they did not intend to bring any ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands, and that the ammunition unknowingly left in their luggage was the result of lawful conduct in the United States. It is my understanding that he did not have any firearms in his possession.”
Oklahoma man with ammunition at Turks and Caicos Airport could face 12 years in prison: ‘I’m at risk of losing everything’
Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat, and Mr. Youngkin, a Republican, joined Mr. Stitt in urging Turks and Caicos Islands to “reconsider” the charges against Mr. Watson, Wenrich and Mr. Hagerich and “release them to their families as soon as possible.” I’m asking you to.
Read the bipartisan letter – App users please click here:
“As governors, we understand and appreciate that it is extremely important to comply with our territory’s laws and regulations to protect our residents,” they wrote. “I humbly ask that your government, in its wisdom, temper justice with mercy and recognize that while these people made a mistake, there was no obvious malice.”
Mr. Hagerich is a 39-year-old former professional baseball player. Father of two from Pennsylvania, Appearing in court in the Turks and Caicos Islands on May 3, the judge said he should remain on the island for three more weeks before sentencing, at which point he must serve a minimum of 12 years in prison for carrying ammunition. He said he would know if there was one. Whether he has a bag at the airport or whether his case will ever be tried.
“It was never my intention to come here with ammunition,” Hagerich previously told FOX News Digital. “This is just a tragedy. The loss to his wife and family was devastating.”
Brian Hagerich, a 39-year-old former professional baseball star and father of two from Pennsylvania, appeared in court in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Friday, and a judge ordered him to stay on the island for three more weeks before handing down his sentence. He said it must be done. (Distribution to family)
Wenrich — 31-year-old father of a 1-year-old son from virginia — An oral hearing will be held on May 21st.
Oklahoma airport subject to TSA microscopic inspection after father found in Turks and Caicos Islands prison with ammunition
“We had no intention of bringing anything into this country. … We were just trying to pack board shorts and flip-flops, and that’s all we were concerned about bringing,” Watson previously said. He told FOX News Digital. “So…it never occurred to us to look into these things. And there are a lot of local people who have been blessed just like that and have very benevolent hearts.”
Tyler Wenrich also faces a minimum of 12 years in prison after two stray bullets were found in his bag while returning from the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Michael Wenrich)
Other Americans held in the Turks and Caicos Islands include Michael Lee Evans, who recently pleaded guilty to possessing seven rounds of ammunition and is awaiting sentencing.
The men must argue that they were arrested under “exceptional circumstances”, including that they have no criminal records, that they did not intend to bring ammunition into the airport, and why 12 years in prison is too harsh for their case. Must be. All three said they unknowingly had ammunition in their bags, but it passed through the U.S. TSA, and before they could return home, Turks and Caicos security guards discovered the ammunition in their luggage and they were detained. ing.
Following news of the American arrest, the government said in a press release in April that people in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to bear firearms.
“The Government reminds Turks and Caicos Islands that there are clear laws and strong penalties prohibiting the possession of firearms and ammunition to serve and protect the community,” the press release said. “Firearms and ammunition offenses carry a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The State Department recently issued a PSA on . The State Department urged travelers to check the pockets and “every nook and cranny” of their suitcases. Be sure to check before traveling to avoid any problems abroad. ”
“Our State Department should be involved,” Stitt said. “We have reached out to them. They need to put pressure on.” [the Turks and Caicos government]. As governor, I’ve been doing everything I can, talking to the State Department, talking to the Turkish governor, … calling contacts, calling members of Congress. we are doing the best we can. ”
