PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — A judge ruled Friday that an American living in Oklahoma who was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands after four bullets were found in his luggage will avoid further prison time.
Judge Roban Jackson sentenced 40-year-old Ryan Watson to prison and a $2,000 fine, or $500 each, which Watson paid shortly after court adjourned.
Watson is scheduled to return to his home in Oklahoma on Friday afternoon.
“I’m really glad the judge took a holistic approach. I still got nervous knowing the prosecution was still seeking a 12-year sentence,” a relieved Watson told reporters outside court.
“I’m going to pay the fine and go home and see my kids,” Watson added.
Watson’s wife, Valerie, cried tears of joy as Judge Jackson handed down the sentence in court, holding hands with Shalitta Greer, a Florida grandmother who was also recently arrested on the island with two rounds of ammunition.
“This is something we’ve been waiting for for a really long time and it’s just the biggest relief,” his wife, Valerie Watson, said.
Watson was arrested under the territory’s Firearms Act while on the island in April and faced a possible 12-year prison sentence.
Two other cases of Americans detained under similar circumstances were recently concluded with judges granting clemency.
Judge Jackson found there were exceptional circumstances which warranted a prison sentence and said the 12-year sentence was “arbitrary and disproportionately” harsh.
The judge said he also considered the testimony of more than a dozen character witnesses who testified for Watson.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said Watson is of “impeccable character” and has a “history of community service” that includes working with the homeless.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt described Watson, a constituent, as a man of “unwavering moral character.”
Watson said he was grateful to all of his supporters on the island and on the U.S. mainland.
“Oklahoma has been so committed throughout this time,” he said, “and there are people on this island who have been committed in ways beyond our understanding.”
Watson had many loved ones in the gallery supporting him, including his wife, mother, father-in-law, sister, brother-in-law and several friends.
Throughout his sentence, Judge Jackson repeatedly mentioned the possibility of a 12-year prison sentence, causing anxiety for the victim’s family.
Her loved ones could finally breathe a sigh of relief when she finally received a suspended sentence.
“I want to jump for joy,” said Watson’s mother, Susan Fendley. “I thought he was going to be in prison for 12 years.”
Watson was well-dressed, wearing a suit and tie, along with a pocket square and tie bar, while in court.
But a few minutes after court adjourned, he changed into a distinctly Oklahoman outfit: jeans, a cowboy hat and boots.
Watson was arrested at the airport after police found a plastic bag containing four bullets in his duffel bag, which he claimed were for deer hunting and that he had accidentally left in his luggage.
Possession of ammunition is illegal in the Caribbean island and British overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the law carries a mandatory 12-year prison sentence unless exceptional circumstances are proven.
The government amended the law this week to remove the 12-year minimum prison sentence.
Earlier, Americans Brian Haigerich and Tyler Wenrich were not given any additional prison time despite authorities saying they had illegally brought in ammunition: Haigerich received a suspended sentence and Wenrich was given a three-week sentence.
Hagerich, a Pennsylvania native and former major league draft pick, and Wenrich, a paramedic from Virginia, pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition.
In both defendants’ cases, the judge found that there were exceptional circumstances that justified the non-imposition of a prison sentence.
A total of five Americans have been arrested in the region since December on suspicion of illegally possessing ammunition.
Two other cases remain pending in Florida against Shalitta Greer and Michael Lee Evans. Greer has not pleaded guilty, and Evans has pleaded guilty but has not been sentenced. Neither is serving time in prison. Evans has been allowed to return to Texas for medical reasons.
In media reports, Chancellor C. Washington Misick sought to assure Americans that the region cherishes visitors from around the world.
In a statement last month before the 12-year prison sentence was removed from the law, Judge Misick said judges were allowed discretion.
“In fact, in cases prior to the five reported in the media, the courts have never imposed the 12-year minimum sentence because the judges in each case found that a shorter sentence was appropriate in exceptional circumstances,” he said.
About 1 million people visit the Turks and Caicos Islands each year, about half of them Americans, he said.
Among them were Mr. Watson and his wife, who were there with friends to celebrate his 40th birthday.
Watson and his wife, Valerie, were initially charged with possession of ammunition, but the charges against Valerie were dropped and she returned to her home in Oklahoma City to live with her two children, ages 9 and 7.
Last month, several U.S. lawmakers traveled to the Turks and Caicos Islands to campaign for the release of the five Americans.
Juliet Arcodia reported from Providenciales, Phil Helsel from Los Angeles and David K. Lee from New York City.
