American arrested in Turks and Caicos over ammo found in bag gets suspended sentence of 52 weeks

An American tourist who was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition was sentenced on Friday to a 52-week suspended sentence and left British territory after a month-long ordeal, a spokesman said. posted on social media. A spokesman for Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania initially said the sentence was 52 months and later corrected the length of the sentence.

Hagerich was one of several Americans facing a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in prison on ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos. According to spokesperson Jonathan Franks, the judge discovered that the case had exceptional circumstances and that the long sentence would be arbitrary. The father of two, who also had to pay a $6,700 fine, was scheduled to land in Pittsburgh on Friday night.

Before leaving the islands, Hagerich told reporters he was elated with the outcome of his case.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for the last 101 days, and to experience this here and eight hours to be home and hug my kids, it’s the best day,” Hagerich said.

He said he would tell his children he loved them.

“We have a lot of time to make up,” said his wife Ashley Hagerich.

Hagerich pleaded guilty to possessing 20 rifle cartridges, according to the Turks and Caicos government. He was arrested in February when ammunition was found in his checked bag, and said he spent eight nights in jail before being released on bail.

“Some of the darkest, hardest moments of my life, frankly,” Hagerich told CBS News last month.

Premier C. Washington Misick said in a statement Friday that justice was “done as the law intended.”

“Today’s decision reflects our commitment to judicial independence, along with upholding the rule of law,” Misick said in a statement. “Residents and visitors can rest assured that the Turks and Caicos Islands are dedicated to safety and compassion as we protect the safety and rights of all.”

Hagerich told media outlets that he did not know he brought the hunting ammunition on a family vacation to Turks and Caicos, but recognized it when authorities found it in his bag.

Who are the Americans trapped in Turks and Caicos?

Hagerich is the first of several Americans arrested on ammunition charges in recent months to be sentenced. Three other American cases are pending in the archipelago southeast of the Bahamas. A fifth American who was also recently charged was allowed to return home for medical reasons.

Tyler WenrichA Virginia father accused of having two 9mm bullets in his backpack as he tried to board a cruise ship pleaded guilty this week and awaits sentencing.

Ryan Watsonan Oklahoma father is expected to plead guilty next week after four rounds of hunting ammunition were found in his carry-on luggage last month.

Sharitta GrierA Florida grandmother who allegedly had two bullets in her carry-on luggage when she returned home from a surprise Mother’s Day vacation has a hearing scheduled for July.

The cases caught the attention of parliamentarians, who recently visited Turks and Caicos and met with authorities. Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, issued a statement Friday expressing gratitude for the judge’s ruling.

“When we met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made it clear they wanted this situation resolved,” Fetterman said in a statement. “They recognized that Bryan and the other Americans detained are not arms dealers – they are just people who made a mistake.”

Hagerich’s congressman, Republican Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, said the ordeal was avoidable.

“While I am very happy to see that Bryan Hagerich will return to Pennsylvania and be reunited with his wife and two children, this terrible situation should never have happened to him,” Reschenthaler said on social media.

Travel advice for Turks and Caicos

Before Friday’s sentence was handed down, Reschenthaler called on the Biden administration to stop Americans from traveling to Turks and Caicos. He told CBS News that he wants the U.S. State Department to issue a ban on travel to the islands.

“Without a doubt, Americans should not travel to Turks and Caicos until two things happen,” Reschenthaler told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave on Thursday. “Number one, all of our detainees need to be released immediately to the United States, and the Turks and Caicos need to repeal this draconian law that is completely out of step with other nations.”

The State Department has a travel advice in effect for Turks and Caicos, urging Americans to exercise greater caution in that country, which is similar to what the department has in place for some European countries and elsewhere.

In a similar case last year, an Indiana man served more than five months in prison.

“Without clean running water, you are exposed to the environment 24/7, mosquitoes and tropical diseases are a real concern,” Michael Grim told CBS News.