The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has lifted mandatory minimum 12-year prison penalties for firearms offences after at least five American tourists fell victim to the law after stray bullets were found in their luggage at an airport in the Caribbean war zone, local reports said.
The country’s parliament is made up of American and Chinese lawmakers. Newsline TCI reported.
In May, a bipartisan congressional delegation flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands to personally appeal for the release of U.S. citizens.
The change came just before Oklahoma resident Ryan Watson was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. Watson is one of five Americans charged under the law in the past few months.
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Ryan and Valerie Watson on vacation in Turks and Caicos. (Facebook)
Watson, 40, of Edmond, was released on bail but has been asked to remain in the island nation since his arrest in April at the airport after authorities found ammunition in his bag.
He could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Watson and others like him had several stray bullets in their bags when they were arrested by local authorities. Under the old law, it was necessary to prove that an arrest was made under “exceptional circumstances” to avoid harsher penalties. Under the revised law, courts now have the discretion to impose lighter penalties.
“This change to the law is an important step in ensuring our legal system is fair and flexible,” said Edwin Astwood, leader of the opposition in parliament. The Sun TCI, “Recognizing that not all cases are the same, judges must be able to consider all factors and reach a truly fair and appropriate sentence,” said another local paper.
He said the goal is to uphold the rule of law, but also to distinguish between real threats and people who have made mistakes.
Ryan Watson’s mugshot in Turks and Caicos. He was given $15,000 bail on a charge of possession of ammunition that could carry a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. (Turks and Caicos Islands Police)
According to Newsline, the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Chief Prosecutor, Attorney General Ronald Reathwaite Knowles, led the amendments.
Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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The “exceptional circumstances” requirements included the defendants having no criminal record, not intending to bring ammunition into the airport, and proving why a 12-year sentence would be excessive in their case.
Watson previously told Fox News Digital that the ammunition was left over from a previous hunting trip and was not part of his vacation plans.
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Brian Haigerich is greeted by his family upon arriving in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Friday, May 24, 2024. Haigerich was detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands for having ammunition in his luggage and was released to the United States on probation. (Matthew Simmons, Fox News Digital)
“We had no intention of bringing anything into the country. We just packed our board shorts and flip flops and that’s all we could bring,” Watson previously told Fox News Digital. “So it never occurred to us to look into any of this stuff. And we have a lot of local people who have been such a blessing to us and have such kind hearts.”
Other Americans charged under the statute include Brian Haigerich, a 39-year-old Pennsylvania resident and former professional baseball player who is a father of two. Haigerich returned home after serving more than 100 days in jail after a judge agreed to a $6,500 fine and avoided prison time.
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Ryan Watson, Shalitta Greer and Brian Hagerich were photographed together in Turks and Caicos. Greer said he never fired a gun. (Handouts)
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Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas, pleaded guilty to possessing seven rounds of ammunition. The Sun Turks and Caicos IslandsThe man is still awaiting sentencing, but has been allowed to return to the US due to his serious illness, authorities said.
Tyler Wenrich of Virginia was released in May after paying a $10,000 fine.
Watson expects to learn her fate on Friday. Shalitta Greer of Florida is also awaiting sentencing.
