Current:Home > InvestAmerican arrested in Turks and Caicos after ammo found in luggage out on bail, faces June court date -ProgressCapital
American arrested in Turks and Caicos after ammo found in luggage out on bail, faces June court date
View
Date:2025-04-22 13:51:37
Ryan Watson, the American tourist who is facing a possible 12-year prison term in Turks and Caicos after ammo was allegedly found in his luggage by airport security, is out on bail.
Watson, 40, secured a $15,000 bond on Wednesday after spending two nights in jail. The Oklahoma father of two must stay on the island and has to check in every Tuesday and Thursday at the Grace Bay Police Station while his case moves forward. Watson's wife, Valerie Watson, is not facing any charges and was able to return home to Oklahoma on Tuesday.
His next court date is scheduled for June 7.
Watson's bond comes as Tyler Wenrich, a 31-year-old from Virginia, was charged with the same count of possession of ammunition earlier this week, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police announced Thursday. According to police, Wenrich was allegedly found with ammo when he went through a security checkpoint after arriving on the island of Grand Turk from a cruise ship on Tuesday.
Bryan Hagerich, yet another American who was also arrested for allegedly having ammo in his luggage back in February, goes before a judge May 3, with sentencing likely to happen shortly after. Ryan Watson is hoping his case can be expedited based on the outcome of Hagerich's case.
A GoFundMe page set up for the Watson family had, as of Thursday evening, raised more than $175,000.
"I'm completely humbled and feel so incredibly blessed that people have been responding in such a powerful way," Ryan Watson told CBS News. "I am still very prayerful that the State Department can help us find a solution to get back home."
Valerie Watson previously told CBS News the ammo was brought to the island by mistake.
"Packing ammunition was not at all our intent," she said.
Following a CBS News report on Ryan Watson, the State Department on Wednesday sent a tweet warning American tourists traveling to Turks and Caicos to check their luggage for stray ammunition and firearms.
Turks and Caicos authorities "strictly enforce all firearms-and-ammunition-related laws," the State Department wrote. "Declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in your arrest."
Possessing a gun or ammunition is prohibited in Turks and Caicos. In February, a court order mandated that even tourists in the process of leaving the country, who had previously been able to just pay a fine, are subject to prison time.
At least one gun rights group is urging its members not to travel to Turks and Caicos because of the recent arrests.
"To all U.S. gun owners, Do Not Travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory located southeast of the Bahamas, and if you have already made plans, reconsider your destination," the Second Amendment Association wrote.
- In:
- Turks and Caicos
- Guns
Kris Van Cleave is CBS News' senior transportation and national correspondent based in Phoenix.
TwitterveryGood! (47)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Chevrolet Bolt owners win $150 million settlement after electric vehicles caught fire
- Proud Patrick Mahomes Supports Brittany Mahomes at SI Swimsuit Party
- U.S. announces effort to expedite court cases of migrants who cross the border illegally
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Caitlin Clark back in action: How to watch Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty on Saturday
- Sen. Bob Menendez's corruption trial continues with more FBI testimony about search of home
- Nadine Menendez, wife of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, being treated for breast cancer
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Bridgerton Season 3 vs. the books: Differences in Colin and Penelope's love story
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Bridgerton Season 3 vs. the books: Differences in Colin and Penelope's love story
- Donald Trump will address the NRA in Texas. He’s called himself the best president for gun owners
- UFL schedule for Week 8 games: Odds, times, how to stream and watch on TV
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- 5 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza by their own army's tank fire
- Khloe Kardashian Reacts to Kim Kardashian’s “Wild” Met Gala Shoe Detail
- Riley Strain’s Family Accepts His College Diploma at Emotional Graduation
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Messi napkin sells for nearly $1 million. Why this piece of soccer history is so important
West Virginia governor calls special session for school funding amid FAFSA issues, other proposals
Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan Reveals the Surprising Way She Learned About Lady Whistledown Twist
Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
Potential signature fraud in Michigan threatens to disrupt congressional races
Caitlin Clark isn't instantly dominating WNBA. That's not surprising. She wasn't going to.
Supreme Court backs Biden on CFPB funding suit, avoiding warnings of housing 'chaos'