Ryan Watson, the American tourist who may face a twelve-year prison sentence in Turks and Caicos Islands Ammunition was reportedly found in his luggage by airport security, has been released on bail.
Watson, 40, secured $15,000 bond Wednesday after spending two nights in jail. The Oklahoma father of two must remain on island and check into the Grace Bay police station every Tuesday and Thursday as his case continues. Watson’s wife, Valerie Watson, is not charged and was able to return home to Oklahoma on Tuesday.
His next court hearing is scheduled for June 7.
Watson’s bond comes after Tyler Wenrich, a 31-year-old from Virginia, was charged with the same possession of ammunition earlier this week, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police announced Thursday. Police say Wenrich was allegedly found with ammunition when he went through a security checkpoint Tuesday after arriving on Grand Turk Island from a cruise ship.
Bryan Hagerich, another American who was also arrested for having ammunition in his luggage in February, will appear in court on May 3, with sentencing likely to take place shortly thereafter. Ryan Watson hopes his case can be expedited based on the outcome of Hagerich’s case.
A GoFundMe page for the Watson family had raised more than $175,000 as of Thursday evening.
“I am completely humbled and feel so incredibly blessed that people have responded in such a powerful way,” Ryan Watson told CBS News. “I still pray very much that the State Department can help us find a solution to get back home.”
Valerie Watson previously told CBS News that the ammunition was accidentally brought to the island.
“Packaging ammunition was not our intention at all,” she said.
Following a CBS News report about Ryan Watson, the State Department sent a message on Wednesday tweet warning American tourists traveling to Turks and Caicos to check their luggage for stray ammunition and firearms.
Turks and Caicos authorities “strictly enforce all firearms and ammunition laws,” the State Department wrote. “Declaring a weapon in your luggage to an airline does not grant permission to bring the weapon into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in your arrest.”
Possession of a firearm or ammunition is prohibited in Turks and Caicos Islands. In February, a court order determined that even tourists about to leave the country who previously could only have paid a fine should face a prison sentence.
At least one gun rights organization is urging its members not to travel to Turks and Caicos due to the recent arrests.
“To all American gun owners: Do not travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory southeast of the Bahamas, and if you have already made plans, reconsider your destination,” the Second Amendment Association wrote.
Kris Van Cleave
