An American vacationer who was arrested within the Turks and Caicos Islands for possessing ammunition was given a suspended sentence of 52 weeks on Friday and left the British territory following a monthslong ordeal, a spokesperson posted to social media. The spokesperson for Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania initially mentioned the sentence was 52 months lengthy after which corrected the size of the sentence.
Hagerich was one among a number of People dealing with a possible necessary minimal sentence of 12 years in jail on ammunition prices in Turks and Caicos. In line with spokesperson Jonathan Franks, the decide discovered that the case had distinctive circumstances and that the prolonged sentence could be arbitrary. The daddy of two, who additionally needed to pay a $6,700 positive, was heading again to the U.S. by Friday afternoon, Franks mentioned.
Hagerich had pleaded responsible to possessing 20 rifle rounds, in keeping with the Turks and Caicos authorities. He was arrested in February when the ammunition was present in his checked bag, and he mentioned he spent eight nights in jail earlier than he was launched on bail.
“Among the darkest, hardest instances of my life, fairly frankly,” Hagerich advised CBS Information final month.
Premier C. Washington Misick mentioned in an announcement Friday that justice had been “served because the regulation supposed.”
“At the moment’s choice displays our dedication to judicial independence together with upholding the regulation,” Misick mentioned in an announcement. “Residents and guests may be assured that the Turks and Caicos Islands are devoted to security and compassion as we shield the security and rights of all.”
Hagerich advised information shops he did not know he introduced the searching ammunition on a household trip to Turks and Caicos however he acknowledged it when authorities discovered it in his bag.
Who’re the People arrested in Turks and Caicos?
Hagerich is the primary of a number of People arrested on ammunition prices in current months to be sentenced. Three different People’ circumstances are pending within the archipelago southeast of the Bahamas. A fifth American who was additionally just lately charged was allowed to return dwelling for medical causes.
Tyler Wenrich, a father from Virginia accused of getting two 9 mm bullets in his backpack when he was making an attempt to board a cruise ship, pleaded responsible this week and is awaiting sentencing.
Ryan Watson, a father from Oklahoma, is anticipated to plead responsible subsequent week after 4 rounds of searching ammunition have been present in his carry-on baggage final month.
Sharitta Grier, a grandmother from Florida who allegedly had two bullets in her carry-on bag when she was going dwelling from a shock Mom’s Day trip, has a court docket date scheduled for July.
The circumstances caught the eye of members of Congress, who just lately visited Turks and Caicos and met with officers. Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, issued an announcement Friday expressing gratitude for the decide’s choice.
“After we met with TCI officers a number of days in the past, they made clear that they needed this case resolved,” Fetterman mentioned in an announcement. “They acknowledged that Bryan and the opposite detained People aren’t gunrunners – they’re simply individuals who made a mistake.”
Hagerich’s congressman, Republican Rep. Man Reschenthaler, mentioned the ordeal was avoidable.
“Whereas I’m overjoyed to see Bryan Hagerich can be returning to Pennsylvania and reuniting together with his spouse and two kids, this terrifying state of affairs ought to have by no means occurred to him,” Reschenthaler mentioned on social media.
Turks and Caicos journey advisory  Â
Earlier than Friday’s sentence was handed down, Reschenthaler referred to as for the Biden administration to cease People from touring to Turks and Caicos. He advised CBS Information he needs the U.S. State Division to subject a no-travel order for the islands.
“With out query, People mustn’t journey to Turks and Caicos till two issues occur,” Reschenthaler advised CBS Information senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave on Thursday. “Primary, all our detainees have to be launched to america instantly, and Turks and Caicos must repeal this draconian regulation that is completely out of step with different nations.”
The State Division has a journey advisory in place for Turks and Caicos urging People to train elevated warning there, which has similarities to what the division has in place for some European nations and different locations.
In the same case final 12 months, an Indiana man served greater than 5 months in jail.
“No clear operating water, you are sort of uncovered to the surroundings 24/7, mosquitoes and tropical sicknesses are an actual concern,” Michael Grim advised CBS Information.
