An Oklahoma man, Ryan Watson, and his wife Valerie were on vacation in Turks and Caicos when they were arrested at the airport for having ammunition in their carry-on bag. The couple, who were traveling home with their two young children after celebrating a friend’s birthday, claimed that the four rounds of ammunition were mistakenly left in the bag from a previous deer hunting trip. Despite the ammunition not being noticed by TSA when leaving America, the couple now faces legal issues in Turks and Caicos, where strict firearm laws are in place. The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a travel alert warning Americans not to bring ammunition to the islands, which can result in a minimum custodial sentence of twelve years.
Valerie Watson was released from jail in Turks and Caicos, but her husband remains in custody with no indication of when he may be granted bail or a trial date. Ryan Watson, a 40-year-old Oklahoma resident, appeared in magistrate court and was charged with one count of ammunition possession. He was granted bail under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport, reporting to the police station on specific days, and residing at a specific address. Ryan is set to appear in court again for a “sufficiency” hearing on June 7. The family has created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the stress of their situation as they face the uncertainty of their future.
The travel alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas warned Americans to carefully check their luggage for any stray ammunition or weapons before traveling to Turks and Caicos. The Watsons maintain that they made a mistake and did not intentionally bring the ammunition to the islands. While the family appreciates the support they have received, they have asked supporters not to reach out to the Turks and Caicos government officials during this time. The legal system in Turks and Caicos is unfamiliar and expensive, posing a daunting challenge for the couple as they try to navigate the process.
The Watson family’s GoFundMe page highlights the emotional and financial toll the situation has taken on them, putting their family at risk of losing everything. The couple faces mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the stress of not knowing when Ryan will be released from custody or how the situation will be resolved. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of local laws and regulations when traveling to foreign countries, as even unintentional mistakes can have serious consequences. The Watsons are struggling to cope with the impact of the situation on their family and are in need of support as they navigate the legal process in Turks and Caicos.
