4 weeks ago
An Oklahoma man is facing up to 12 years successful situation for having ammunition successful his carry-on container astatine a Turks and Caicos airport, according to a GoFundMe page for his family.
Ryan and Valerie Watson, nan parents of 2 young children, were flying location from their land vacation, wherever they were celebrating a friend's 40th birthday, connected April 12 erstwhile they were arrested astatine nan airport.
"They had their lives turned upside down erstwhile they tried to return home, arsenic section airdrome information recovered 4 rounds of ammunition unknowingly near successful a duff[le]bag from a cervid hunting trip," a explanation connected nan family's GoFundMe page states. "It was not noticed by TSA erstwhile leaving America. Now, they are facing a ineligible strategy that is unfamiliar, daunting, and costly that operates otherwise than nan American Justice System."
The U.S. Embassy successful nan Bahamas issued a recreation alert successful September 2023 telling Americans not to bring ammunition to nan islands.
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Ryan and Valerie Watson were arrested successful Turks and Caicos connected April 12 aft land airdrome officials recovered ammunition successful Ryan's carry-on bag. Ryan faces up to 12 years successful prison. (GoFundMe)
"TCI authorities strictly enforce each firearms related laws," the alert states. "The punishment for walking to TCI pinch a firearm, ammunition, aliases different limb is simply a minimum custodial condemnation of 12 (12) years."
The embassy further stated that Americans should "carefully check" their luggage "for stray ammunition aliases forgotten weapons earlier departing for TCI."
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But nan Watsons insist they made a unspeakable mistake. Valerie Watson was released from jailhouse successful Turks and Caicos connected Tuesday, but her hubby remains successful custody "with nary existent timetable for immoderate anticipation of bail aliases proceedings date."
A Turks and Caicos tribunal confirmed that Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail connected Tuesday for nan ammunition possession charge (Turks and Caicos police)
"While we admit your support and willingness to help, please do not scope retired straight to immoderate of nan TCI authorities officials during this time," nan family wrote connected their GoFundMe page.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force connected Wednesday confirmed Ryan Watson's arrest, saying nan 40-year-old Oklahoma resident appeared successful magistrate tribunal Wednesday, erstwhile he was charged pinch one count of ammunition possession. He was besides granted $15,000 bail nether nan information that he does not recreation extracurricular nan islands without nan court's permission, he surrenders his passport, he reports to nan Grace Bay Police Station connected Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides astatine a circumstantial address.
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Ryan is owed backmost successful tribunal for a "sufficiency" proceeding connected June 7, officials said.
Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail nether nan information that he does not recreation extracurricular nan islands without nan court's permission, he surrenders his passport, he reports to nan Grace Bay Police Station connected Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides astatine a circumstantial address. (Getty Images)
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The Wastson family's GoFundMe page says nan mates faces "mounting ineligible fees, surviving expenses, and nan overwhelming accent of their situation."
"The affectional and financial toll is immense, and they are astatine consequence of losing everything," nan page reads.
Audrey Conklin is simply a integer newsman for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com aliases connected Twitter astatine @audpants.
