An American woman, Sharitta Shinise Grier, was visiting Turks and Caicos with her daughter for Mother’s Day when officials found two rounds of ammunition in her luggage during a routine search at the Howard Hamilton International Airport. Both Grier and her daughter were arrested, but the daughter was later released. Grier has been charged with ammunition possession, a crime that carries a minimum penalty of 12 years in prison in Turks and Caicos. She is expected to appear in court on Thursday, and attorney information for her was not immediately available. This incident marks the fifth time an American has been charged under Turks and Caicos’ gun laws this year.
Turks and Caicos has strict gun laws that prohibit civilian firearms or ammunition, with a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison for offenders. It is illegal to transport firearms or ammunition to or from any of the Caribbean countries without a license, according to U.S. laws. Several U.S. governors have released a joint letter asking the Caribbean island’s governor to release three men who have been jailed for weeks over similar charges. Among them are Ryan and Valerie Watson, Bryan Hagerich, Michael Lee Evans, and Tyler Scott Wenrich, all facing legal consequences for carrying illegal ammunition in their luggage while visiting Turks and Caicos.
Ryan Watson and Valerie Watson of Oklahoma were arrested on April 24 after hunting ammunition was found in Ryan’s carry-on bag. Valerie’s charges were dropped, and she was allowed to return to the U.S., while Ryan Watson was released on bail. Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to possession of 20 rounds of ammunition and is awaiting sentencing. Michael Lee Evans of Texas has also pleaded guilty to possession of seven 9mm rounds of ammunition and is awaiting sentencing. Tyler Scott Wenrich was charged on April 23 when officials found illegal ammunition in his baggage during a checkpoint on Turks and Caicos while he was traveling on a cruise.
The incidents involving Americans being charged under Turks and Caicos’ gun laws have sparked concerns from the defendants’ families and U.S. officials over the strictness of the laws and penalties in the Caribbean country. The governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have sent a joint letter to the Turks and Caicos governor, urging the release of Watson, Hagerich, and Wenrich. They believe that releasing these individuals would help in fostering mutual interest in justice and goodwill between the jurisdictions. The defendants have maintained that they did not have any intent to carry illegal ammunition and that they simply forgot it was in their bags while traveling.
The charges against Grier and other Americans highlight the importance of understanding and respecting the local laws and regulations of the countries visited while traveling. Ignorance of the laws is not an excuse, and travelers should be diligent in researching and complying with the legal requirements of the places they visit. The strict penalties for gun-related offenses in Turks and Caicos serve as a reminder to all travelers to be mindful of what they bring with them and to follow the rules and regulations of the destinations they travel to, to avoid facing legal consequences.
