Four Americans are facing legal issues in Turks and Caicos after being charged with carrying ammunition. The identified men are Michael Lee Evans, Bryan Hagerich, Tyler Scott Wenrich, and Ryan Tyler Watson. The families of the men claim that they were unjustly detained on the island, awaiting legal proceedings. The government of Turks and Caicos confirmed the charges last week, citing strict laws against the possession of firearms and ammunition in the country. Hagerich and Evans had already pleaded guilty to the charges.
The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives warns against transporting firearms or ammunition to or from any CARICOM countries, including Turks and Caicos, without a license. Violating this law could lead to a minimum 12-year prison sentence under the tightened gun laws implemented by the government in 2022. However, the government also mentioned the possibility of reducing the sentence in exceptional circumstances. The families claim that the men unknowingly left the ammunition in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip and were not aware of the presence of the ammunition when returning home.
Turks and Caicos reiterated that it is the travelers’ responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of weapons and ammunition, which are strictly prohibited without prior permission. The families have launched a fundraising campaign for legal fees and living expenses, raising over $220,000. Despite authorities stating that the men have been released on bail, the families believe that Hagerich has been unjustly detained for 81 days, and others have been stuck on the island for weeks awaiting legal proceedings. The families have expressed concerns about navigating a legal system that is unfamiliar, daunting, and expensive compared to the American justice system.
Jessica Byrd, the organizer of the funding campaign and Watson’s older sister, reported that Hagerich, who had pleaded guilty to possession of twenty rounds of rifle ammunition, was scheduled to go on trial the following day. It was anticipated that he would be sentenced shortly after his trial. The families of the detained Americans continue to express their frustration and worry over the situation, emphasizing the need for financial support to cover legal expenses and the challenges of navigating a legal system in a foreign country. They are hopeful for a resolution that will bring their loved ones back home soon.
