The mother of Sharitta Shinese Grier, a Florida woman who was arrested for carrying ammunition at an airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands, shared her plea for help and expressed her heartbreak at having to leave her daughter behind on the island. Grier was the fifth American to be detained in TCI for a similar offense since February. Willie Lucas, Grier’s mother, urged people to keep her family in their prayers and to be safe when traveling. Chanchy Willis, Grier’s cousin, described the incident as a “horrible mistake” and emphasized that the five detainees, including Grier, were close-knit and supportive of each other during this difficult time.
After posting bail, Grier joined four other Americans in a rental property on the island as they awaited an uncertain future. The five detainees face the possibility of up to 12 years in prison. Willis expressed gratitude for the support shown by the other detainees towards Grier, stating that it brought joy to her heart to see them all reaching out and showing Grier she was not alone in this situation. Grier is scheduled to appear before a judge on July 5 to argue that her arrest was under “exceptional circumstances” and provide evidence to support her case.
Chanchy Willis, Grier’s cousin, chimed in with understanding and support, painting the detainees’ situation as a group of individuals who had made a genuine mistake. Lucas also shared her hope that Grier would stay safe in the TCI and asked people to keep her family in their prayers. Grier, along with four other Americans who were detained for similar reasons, faces the potential of a lengthy prison sentence. The detainees must prove before the TCI Superior Court that they did not intend to bring ammunition into the airport, have no prior criminal record, and argue why a 12-year sentence would be excessive in their cases.
Ryan Watson, Tyler Wenrich, and Bryan Hagerich, the other American detainees, explained their situations on how they unknowingly brought ammunition into the TCI airport due to forgotten items from previous hunting trips. They all maintained that they had no intention of bringing ammunition to the islands and were solely focused on vacationing. The detainees have received support from locals in the TCI, who have shown kindness and empathy towards their predicament. The community rallied around the detainees, offering assistance and understanding during a challenging time.
The detainees’ families have spoken out about the unfortunate circumstances and have emphasized their loved ones’ innocence in the matter. The detainees have all expressed regret over their oversight and have been working to demonstrate their genuine intentions to the TCI authorities. With the support of their families, legal representation, and the broader community, the detainees are hopeful for a fair resolution to their cases. Grier’s upcoming court appearance will provide her with an opportunity to present her case and argue for leniency in her sentencing. The situation serves as a cautionary tale for travelers to be vigilant about their belongings and to adhere to local laws and regulations while visiting foreign countries.
