(NewsNation) — The first of five Americans detained and charged with concealing ammunition in their luggage was convicted and fined Friday.
Brian Haegerich, 39, received a 52-week suspended prison sentence and a $6,700 fine, according to a spokesman. He is due to be released shortly and return to the United States.
“I am thrilled that Brian Haegerich can return to Pennsylvania and be reunited with his wife and two children, but this horrific situation should never have happened to him or the four other Americans who are still awaiting sentencing,” said Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Pennsylvania.
Strict firearms and ammunition laws
Firearms, weapons and stray ammunition are prohibited in the British territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and local authorities strictly enforce firearms and ammunition laws.
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In a statement, the Turks and Caicos Islands said it was “the responsibility of travellers to ensure that their luggage does not contain weapons or ammunition” and that bringing weapons or ammunition without prior authorization was “strictly prohibited”.
Even in the United States, if airport security finds ammunition or firearms that are not properly stored or declared, you could be subject to fines and criminal charges.
Spokesman Jonathan Franks said the judge in Hagelich’s case acknowledged “exceptional circumstances” and called the 12-year sentence arbitrary.
Hagerich’s sentence offers hope for the three other Americans who remain in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and a fifth defendant who was charged was able to return to the United States due to terminal health issues.
“It was a very simple and honest mistake.”
Haegerich was on vacation with his wife and two young children in February when hunting ammunition was found in his luggage. He was arrested by authorities and held for eight days before posting bail.
Hagerich has remained on the island ever since, missing some life events in the United States, including his children’s birthdays.
Hagerich previously told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo that he was “very scared” about the possibility of prison time.
According to the Turks and Caicos Islands government, Hagerich pleaded guilty to having 20 rounds of rifle ammunition in his luggage.
Hagerich will learn his fate on Friday and could face a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison.
Hagerich is not alone: four others are also trapped on the tropical island for the same reason.
Ryan Watson, Tyler Wenrich, Michael Evans and Shalitta Sinise Greer were also detained and charged with possession of ammunition in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Ryan Watson
Watson, 40, and his wife Valerie had visited the island for a birthday trip in early April, but were stopped by airport security as they were leaving on April 12 and taken to a police station.
Airport officials claimed to have found ammunition in Ryan Watson’s carry-on luggage. Watson described this as a “stupid mistake” and an accident. Locals helped him pay bail. Watson said he was grateful to those he met, but wanted to return home.
Watson’s next court date is scheduled for June 7.
Tyler Wenrich
Wenrich, 31, has been in the Turks and Caicos Islands since April 20. His father told NewsNation that Wenrich spent three days in custody before being transferred to prison, where he spent a total of 14 days in jail. Wenrich has been released on bail and is staying with his father while awaiting sentencing.
Wenrich said the bullets had been “unknowingly left in a duffel bag on a deer hunting trip” and were not noticed by airport authorities when they left the United States.
Michael Evans
Evans, 72, was also detained and charged in December after authorities said they found a bullet in his luggage. He was released on $20,000 bail and allowed to return to the U.S. for medical reasons because he has terminal cancer.
He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June.
Shalitta Sinice Grier
According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police, Greer, 45, of Orlando, was arrested on May 13 and charged with possession of ammunition. She was traveling with her daughters and was visiting them for Mother’s Day when she was arrested.
Police said Greer appeared in Magistrates Court last week and was remanded in custody, with a hearing scheduled for July 5.
The Turks and Caicos Islands said it would leave it to a judge to decide.
The Turks and Caicos Islands government’s latest statement said no Americans have ever been sentenced to 12 years in prison for illegally possessing ammunition, and judges can impose lighter penalties that can include fines.
But the possibility of receiving a prison sentence of 10 years or more remains a worry for all the families.
Oklahoma’s governor said he is working behind the scenes to help secure the release of the four Americans.
Gov. Kevin Stitt previously called the charges against the four people, including one Oklahoman, “absurd.”
“We need to put pressure on the Turks and Caicos Islands to put a travel ban in place because it’s really, really, really bizarre that they’re trying to detain this guy, all of these guys,” he told “Morning in America.”
Earlier this week, a delegation of U.S. representatives and senators traveled to the Turks and Caicos Islands in an unsuccessful attempt to bring the Americans home.
“[I]am embarrassed by the weakness and incompetence of your department. Prove me wrong. Issue a ‘travel ban’ and bring them home,” Reschenthaler told Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a House hearing this week. As the US’s representative abroad, Blinken has the power to affect the release of the five Americans.
Responding to the call to action, Blinken said, “We have brought Americans home from all over the world. This is our top priority, and I make no apologies to anyone for the efforts our citizens do every day to help Americans in danger.”
