Pennsylvania father-of-two Brian Hagerich, who was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison in the Turks and Caicos Islands after airport security found ammunition in his luggage in February, was charged with illegal gun trafficking. He says the island’s laws aimed at deterring have had “unintended consequences”.
Hagerich, 39, appeared in court in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Friday, where a judge said he must stay on the island for three more weeks before sentencing, at which point Hagerich would be sentenced to at least 12 years for carrying charges. He said he would know if he needed to submit to the law. whether he had ammunition in his bag at the airport or whether his case could ever be tried.
“It was found in checked baggage after a random search, but what happened next was because the family was effectively just taken away without even a chance to say goodbye or explain what was going on. I had no idea what was going to happen,” Hagerich said. He was returning home from a family vacation with his wife and children when he was arrested in February, he told “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday.
Although the TSA requires ammunition to be kept in a secure case in checked luggage, the laws in Turks and Caicos Islands are different.
Court hearing of American arrested with ammunition in bag in Turks and Caicos Islands could set new precedent
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 told him he must stay on the island for three more weeks before sentencing. said. (Handouts for families)
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau currently has the following travel alert in place:[f]”Firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons are not permitted in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI),” and “TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearms and ammunition-related laws.” added.
“The penalty is Traveling to TCI with a firearm“Possession of firearms, ammunition or other weapons may result in a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison,” the embassy said in its warning. be released from detention. You are subject to her TCI laws and must follow local law enforcement procedures. ”
American arrested in Turks and Caicos Islands could face 12 years in prison for ‘innocent mistake’: ‘He never disrespected us’
Brian Hagerich was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands in February on his way home from a family vacation when he was found to have ammunition in his luggage at the airport. (Handouts for families)
“These are very strict laws. They’re trying to combat violence…gun trafficking and all that, and I have the utmost respect for that, but there are laws that basically take a one-size-fits-all approach. And that could lead to unintended problems.” That’s the outcome,” Hagerich said. “We’re not a threat to the island. We’re not a threat to the people. We’re good, loving people, and we just made a mistake.”
Three other Americans are also awaiting their verdict in the same matter.One such American, 31-year-old Tyler Wenrich, is the father of a 1-year-old son. from virginia His father told Fox News Digital that he was allowed to return home last week after posting bail. Ryan Watson (40) from Oklahoma, a father of two who was recently arrested on April 12 for allegedly carrying ammunition in his bag without his knowledge, remains on the island. Both men previously told Fox News Digital that they had ammunition in their bags from previous hunting trips.
Oklahoma airport subject to TSA microscopic inspection after father found in Turks and Caicos Islands prison with ammunition
Four Americans are currently awaiting sentencing in the Turks and Caicos Islands for bringing ammunition in bags into the island’s airport. (Dimitrios Kambris/Turks and Caicos Islands Beach Getty Images/Facebook/Family Handout)
Michael Lee Evans, 72, pleaded guilty on April 24 to having ammunition in his bag, according to local news outlet Turks and Caicos Sun. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 18th.
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Four additional Americans detained under the Firearms and Ammunition Act since it was enacted last year were also sentenced and ordered to pay fines in lieu. An American was sentenced to eight months in prison.
“I’m a human being. … I made a very honest mistake,” said Haglich, who has been detained since February. “I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know there was ammunition in my checked baggage.”
