International Courant
An Oklahoma man is going through as much as 12 years in jail for having ammunition in his carry-on bag at a Turks and Caicos airport, in keeping with a GoFundMe web page for his household.
Ryan and Valerie Watson, the mother and father of two younger youngsters, had been flying residence from their island trip, the place they had been celebrating a good friend’s fortieth birthday, on April 12 after they had been arrested on the airport.
“That they had their lives turned the wrong way up after they tried to return residence, as native airport safety discovered 4 rounds of ammunition unknowingly left in a duff[le]bag from a deer searching journey,” an outline on the household’s GoFundMe web page states. “It was not seen by TSA when leaving America. Now, they’re going through a authorized system that’s unfamiliar, daunting, and costly that operates in a different way than the American Justice System.”
The U.S. Embassy within the Bahamas issued a journey alert in September 2023 telling People to not convey ammunition to the islands.
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Ryan and Valerie Watson had been arrested in Turks and Caicos on April 12 after island airport officers discovered ammunition in Ryan’s carry-on bag. Ryan faces as much as 12 years in jail. (GoFundMe)
“TCI authorities strictly implement all firearms associated legal guidelines,” the alert states. “The penalty for touring to TCI with a firearm, ammunition, or different weapon is a minimal custodial sentence of twelve (12) years.”
The embassy additional acknowledged that People ought to “rigorously examine” their baggage “for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons earlier than departing for TCI.”
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However the Watsons insist they made a horrible mistake. Valerie Watson was launched from jail in Turks and Caicos on Tuesday, however her husband stays in custody “with no present timetable for any chance of bail or trial date.”
A Turks and Caicos court docket confirmed that Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail on Tuesday for the ammunition possession cost (Turks and Caicos police)
“Whereas we recognize your assist and willingness to assist, please don’t attain out on to any of the TCI authorities officers throughout this time,” the household wrote on their GoFundMe web page.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Drive on Wednesday confirmed Ryan Watson’s arrest, saying the 40-year-old Oklahoma resident appeared in Justice of the Peace court docket Wednesday, when he was charged with one rely of ammunition possession. He was additionally granted $15,000 bail beneath the situation that he doesn’t journey outdoors the islands with out the court docket’s permission, he surrenders his passport, he reviews to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides at a selected handle.
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Ryan is due again in court docket for a “sufficiency” listening to on June 7, officers stated.
Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail beneath the situation that he doesn’t journey outdoors the islands with out the court docket’s permission, he surrenders his passport, he reviews to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides at a selected handle. (Getty Photographs)
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The Wastson household’s GoFundMe web page says the couple faces “mounting authorized charges, residing bills, and the overwhelming stress of their scenario.”
“The emotional and monetary toll is immense, and they’re liable to dropping all the things,” the web page reads.
Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox Information Digital and FOX Enterprise. Electronic mail tricks to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.
