Fetterman aids in releasing detained American in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition in luggage
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) successfully advocated for the release of a Pennsylvania detainee in Turks and Caicos who unintentionally carried ammunition. Bryan Hagerich, detained for three months, had the ammunition in his luggage by mistake. Fetterman’s visit led to Hagerich receiving a 52-week suspended sentence for the offense, amidst strict laws in the country prohibiting unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) celebrated that one Pennsylvania detainee has been released by authorities in the Turks and Caicos Islands after accidentally traveling with ammunition.
Bryan Hagerich, 39, has spent three months detained in the island territory since officials discovered ammunition in his luggage that he had accidentally packed. It is against the law for anyone in the country to own, discharge, or carry unlicensed ammunition or firearms. An amendment that went into effect in 2022 made the minimum sentence for violating this law 12 years in prison.
Fetterman visited the island last weekend to meet with officials over his release, along with the release of four other Americans detained for similar charges. A judge subsequently granted Hagerich a 52-week suspended sentence for the charge.
“When we met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made clear that they wanted this situation resolved,” Fetterman said. “They recognized that Bryan and the other detained Americans are not gunrunners – they are just people who made a mistake. I’m grateful that the judge recognized that the right thing to do was to send Bryan home. I’m also grateful to the U.S. State Department which has been a critical partner in bringing Bryan home.”
🚨🚨BREAKING🚨🚨
After traveling to Turks and Caicos to urge officials to release the five Americans detained for an honest mistake, they made the right move today and my constituent Bryan is heading back home to the Commonwealth.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/aSj5UV7sYt
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) May 24, 2024
Hagerich will have to pay a fine upon his return to the United States to commute his sentence permanently. Should he fail to pay the fine, he will have to serve a prison sentence in Turks and Caicos.
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Still, others remain detained, including Ryan Watson, 40; Tyler Scott Wenrich, 31; Sharitta Shinse Grier, 45; and Michael Lee Evans, 72. Evans and Wenwich have pleaded guilty to the charges against them, which resulted in officials allowing Evans to return to the U.S. to receive medical treatment, but he is expected to return to the island. Watson has been detained since April 12, with his next court date slated for June 7.
“I’m hopeful that TCI expedites the rest of these cases and that the other detained Americans will soon be released and reunited with their families as well,” Fetterman wrote.
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