NEVER Travel to the Turks & Caicos
Bryan Hagerich, a 39-year-old father of two from Pennsylvania, is confronting the possibility of a minimum 12-year jail sentence in Turks and Caicos after authorities uncovered ammunition in his luggage during a routine search in February. Hagerich, who was returning from a family vacation with his wife and children when he was apprehended, raised concerns about the unintended ramifications of the island’s legislation designed to combat illegal firearm trafficking.
In a recent court appearance in Turks and Caicos, a judge ruled that Hagerich must remain on the islands for an additional three weeks until his sentencing. During this period, he will discover whether he will be subjected to the mandatory 12-year sentence for possessing ammunition in his bag at the airport, or if his case can be resolved through other means.
This is Bryan Hagerich
He’s a married father of 2 from Pennsylvania who is rotting away in a Turks & Caicos jail cell after some stray ammunition from a prior hunting trip was found in a random pocket of his checked bag while he was on a family vacation
He faces 12 years in… pic.twitter.com/VPQppygohF
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) May 14, 2024
Speaking to “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday, Hagerich recounted the shock of the discovery, emphasizing that the ammunition was found during a random search of his checked luggage. He expressed his family’s bewilderment at the situation, stating that they were abruptly separated without the opportunity to comprehend or address the unfolding events.
While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandates that ammunition be stored in a secure case within checked luggage, the laws in Turks and Caicos differ significantly. The U.S. Embassy in Nassau has issued a travel advisory cautioning against the possession of firearms, ammunition, or other weapons in Turks and Caicos, emphasizing the strict enforcement of related laws.
Hagerich acknowledged the intent behind the stringent regulations, aimed at curbing violence and firearm trafficking. However, he underscored the unintended consequences of a law that adopts a uniform approach without considering individual circumstances. Despite the ordeal, he emphasized that he and his family pose no threat to the island or its inhabitants, characterizing themselves as law-abiding citizens who inadvertently made a mistake.
In addition to Hagerich, three other Americans are awaiting sentencing for similar charges. Tyler Wenrich, a 31-year-old father from Virginia, was permitted to return home after posting bail. Meanwhile, Ryan Watson, a 40-year-old father of two from Oklahoma, remains on the island after being arrested for inadvertently carrying ammunition in his bag. Another individual, Michael Lee Evans, 72, pleaded guilty to a similar offense, with his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 18, according to local media reports.