Turks and Caicos: American Man Arrested for Carrying Ammunition Set to Skip 12-Year Jail Time
Tyler Wenrich, an American man, was sentenced to time served and a $9,000 fine by a Turks and Caicos judge for unintentionally having ammunition in his luggage during his visit to the islands. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Beaches Turks & Caicos

An American man, Tyler Wenrich, escaped a potential 12-year sentence and a significant fine in Turks and Caicos after he was found with ammunition, which violated the island's strict gun laws, ABC News reports.

Wenrich, a 911 operator and emergency medical technician from Richmond, traveled to Grand Turk on a cruise ship for a bachelor party in late April.

During a routine security check, authorities discovered ammunition in his possession.

He remained on the island following his arrest and pleaded guilty on May 21 to two counts of possession of ammunition, related to two 9 mm rounds.

A judge sentenced Wenrich, American man, to three weeks in prison, which equated to time served given his time in custody since his arrest.

Additionally, he was fined $9,000 and allowed to return home.

Wenrich, accompanied by his wife during the sentencing, expressed relief after the verdict.

"I feel very, just relieved," he said after the sentencing. "A weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and my wife."

Advocates Pleased with Outcome

Republican Virginia Representative Bob Good expressed satisfaction in a statement on Thursday, stating he is "pleased" with Wenrich's outcome, per FOX News.

He noted Wenrich's sentence of a fine and time served, allowing him to return home and reunite with his family, friends, and community.

Good highlighted their efforts during a recent trip to Turks & Caicos, where they met with government officials to advocate for the release of American detainees facing lengthy prison terms for non-threatening offenses.

"This is the result we were seeking on my trip with congressional colleagues last week to the Turks & Caicos," Good said.

Specifically, in Wenrich's case, Good mentioned that it involved stray ammunition found in his backpack.

He extended gratitude to everyone who supported Wenrich's cause.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who recently sent a letter urging the release of Wenrich and two other Americans in Turks and Caicos, thanked his fellow governors and Democratic Virginia Senator Tim Kaine for their support in resolving the matter.

Youngkin expressed his satisfaction with Wenrich's imminent return to his family in Virginia, attributing it to their unwavering efforts in seeking his freedom.

"Tyler will soon be returning to his loving family in Virginia, thanks to their relentless efforts in seeking his freedom," Youngkin said.

Strict Laws and Other Cases

Turks and Caicos implemented a minimum 12-year sentence for firearm-related offenses at the end of 2022 due to a rise in homicides associated with international crime syndicates, gangs, firearms availability, and drug trafficking, according to BBC.

Despite this, as of Tuesday, no US citizen besides Wenrich had received the mandatory minimum sentence for such offenses.

However, in addition to Wenrich, four other American tourists have faced similar circumstances in recent months.

Officials found 20 rifle rounds in the checked bag of Bryan Hagerich, a tourist from Pennsylvania, in February.

Hagerich was fined $6,700 and given a one-year suspended sentence upon his return to the US.

Ryan Watson from Oklahoma and Sharitta Grier from Florida are also awaiting legal proceedings for ammunition possession.

Additionally, a fifth American was recently allowed to return home due to unspecified medical reasons.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: 2nd American freed after arrest in Turks and Caicos over ammunition in luggage - From ABC News