During their vacation in Turks and Caicos, Ryan and Valerie Watson are unsure about the future after hunting ammunition was found in his carry-on luggage at the airport. The couple traveled to the island on April 7 to celebrate Ryan’s 40th birthday.
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The couple was detained for two weeks under the country’s 2022 gun and ammunition law, which prohibits the possession of such items and carries a minimum prison sentence of 12 years. Valeris was released to return home to their children after her charges were dropped on April 22, but Ryan remains in jail, awaiting a bail hearing set for April 24. During an interview with CBS News, Valerie said that their dream vacation turned into a “nightmare” and emphasized that they had no intention of packing ammunition. Ryan also admitted that it was an oversight and that the ammo found was meant for hunting whitetail deer, which he unknowingly left in his bag.
He also expressed concern about returning to work as the detainment has affected the couple’s financial situation, stating, “This is something that we may never recover from. I can’t even begin to think that this very innocent, regrettable mistake would prevent me from being able to watch my son graduate or teach him to shave or take my daughter to dances,”
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Other travelers from Pennsylvania and Indiana had faced similar circumstances due to ammunition found in their luggage. Brian Hagerich says he’s awaiting trial after ammo was found in his carry-on luggage in February. “I subsequently spent eight nights in their local jail. Some of the darkest, hardest times of my life, quite frankly. These last 70 days have been kind of a roller coaster, just the pain and suffering of having your family at home and I’m here,” he explained.
In 2022, Turks and Caicos significantly tightened their gun laws. Previously unlicensed firearm possession existed, but the new legislation made it illegal for anyone to possess firearms or ammunition without a strict local law enforcement license. This strict law, with a minimum 12-year sentence for violations, applies to both residents and visitors—the change aimed to decrease gun violence on the islands. Since the new law, there have been eight firearms and ammunition prosecutions involving tourists from the United States.
A travel alert from the US State Department was issued to warn travelers to follow the law when traveling to the country.
