In four days, an Orlando woman will learn from a Turks and Caicos judge when she can return home to her family after being arrested for having ammunition in her carry-on at Howard Hamilton International Airport.
Sharitta Grier spoke to WFTV via Facetime from her Airbnb after she was released from jail for having two bullets in her carry-on after flying to the Caribbean island for a Mother’s Day weekend getaway.
“I want people to understand: Don’t ever think that what happened to me can’t happen to you or someone you love, because it can,” Grier said.
Grier has now been released, but cannot yet leave the island. She has been staying in an Airbnb since then, but she says she is ready to be back home with her family, especially her grandchildren, who are not yet old enough to understand what happened.
Read: Orlando woman arrested on ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos speaks to WFTV
‘I have to tell my grandchildren [when they say] “When are we going to see your new house?” They think this is my new house and I just won’t let them come, but we know that’s not the case,” Grier said.
On Tuesday, Grier said she would appear before a Turks and Caicos judge to determine her next steps.
“During that period with the 25th, they are going to let me know when my sentencing date is. You won’t know until the actual date. When the judge spoke, she said $500 per bullet.
Read: Second American convicted of bringing munitions to Turks and Caicos gets jail term
In Grier’s case, it’s two bullets and the theory of paying $1,000 to get home to Orlando.
According to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas, firearms, ammunition and other weapons are not allowed in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearms laws. The penalty for traveling to TCI with a firearm, ammunition or other weapon is a minimum prison sentence of twelve (12) years.
“Despite everything, I still told God, ‘I trust Him.’ Even in the midst of everything that happened while I was chained to the chair. I still told God, ‘I trust him,’” Grier said.
Read: American arrested in Turks and Caicos Islands for ammunition in bag gets suspended sentence
Grier said she is one of five and the last American left on the island after being arrested for small amounts of ammunition.
On Friday, Ryan Watson was cleared to return to Oklahoma after being arrested.
Grier said she and Watson have grown close, and she’s happy he’s home with his family and has no doubt she’ll be back on the plane, too.
“Me and Ryan are like sisters and brothers. We bonded together. Me, him, his mother, his stepfather. We lived in the same Airbnb,” Grier said.
Grier said that aside from hugging her family and grandchildren, she can’t wait for a plate of soul food.
WFTV remains connected to Grier and expects to meet her at Orlando International Airport once she lands.
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