A Pennsylvania man who was recently reunited with his family in Pittsburgh after being detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this year was charged with possessing ammunition in a bag and could face up to 12 years in prison, police said. New York Post.
Brian Haegerich, 39, a former professional baseball player and father of two, was one of five Americans arrested and detained on the island in February for having ammunition in his luggage.
“When I met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made it clear they wanted this situation resolved.”
The other Americans detained in connection with the incident were Ryan Watson, 40, Shalitta Greer, 45, Tyler Wenrich, 31, and Michael Lee Evans, 72.
“It’s really amazing that 12 years of events have happened in just 12 hours,” Hagerich said after arriving in Pittsburgh on Friday.
“That was a huge relief because my biggest concern was coaching my kids’ baseball game tomorrow,” he continued, saying the hardest part of the ordeal has been being away from his family.
Pick up the kids, Embrace “We have a lot of catching up to do together and we have a lot of memories to make,” he said at the airport.
“It was really good to see them. They’ve remained so strong through all of this,” he added.
The daughter was holding a sign that read “I love you, Dad,” and the son was holding a sign that read “Welcome home,” CBS News.
“As a father, as a provider, to not be able to fulfill that role in your family’s life is very difficult to accept,” he added.
Hagelich reportedly described his detention abroad as “painful” and the “darkest days” of his life. He was eventually released, but four others remain held on the island.
After pleading guilty to possessing ammunition on the island, Hagerich was ordered to pay $6,500.
A bipartisan congressional delegation visited TCI on Monday to pressure government leaders to release the detained Americans.
Senator John Fetterman said,[t]”This is great news,” he said, adding, “Brian will be returning home to his family. I am honored to meet Brian and the other detained Americans at TCI this week.”
“When I met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made it clear that they wanted this situation resolved,” the senator added.
“They recognized that Brian and the other detained Americans are not gun traffickers, but simply people who made a mistake. We are grateful that the judge recognized that it was right to bring Brian home. We are also grateful to the U.S. State Department, which was a key partner in bringing Brian home.”
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler said it was good that Hagerich was able to return home, but noted that “this horrific situation should never have happened to him, or to the four other Americans still awaiting sentencing.”
“As the Turks and Caicos Islands Government deals with future cases, the British Territory must ensure the safety and health of American visitors. I will not rest until Americans can once again set foot on the islands without putting their livelihoods at risk,” Reschenthaler concluded.
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