American man who travelled to Caribbean faces 12 years for bullets accidentally left in luggage

A man from Oklahoma (United States) who travelled on vacation to Turks and Caicos (a small island country in the Caribbean) faces a mandatory 12 year prison sentence because he accidently left four bullets in his luggage, which customs officials found.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him. Under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence. "They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday. "I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

Both he and his wife were arrested. His wife was released and allowed to travel back to the U.S. about 10 days later. They have two children.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt sent a letter to government officials in Turks and Caicos on April 16 in support of Ryan Watson, arguing the ammunition was "an inadvertent oversight, not an intentional attempt to break the law."

U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos, Patrick Smith, NBC News, April 24, 2024
American Ryan Watson stuck in Turks and Caicos jail and facing 12 years in prison after airport staff found four rounds of ammo in his luggage as he tried to return home, Will Potter, Daily Mail, April 24, 2024
Mom reunited with kids after husband arrested in Turks and Caicos for ammunition, kktv, channel 11 News

 

I went quail hunting in Arizona back in like 2007 or so. Had a handful of spare 20g shells in my little day pack. I took them out after ...or thought I did. I found 2 of them still there, kinda wedged under the seem of the 3D pocket inside the smaller rear pouch, in like 2018 when I finally retired it and emptied everything out. I dunno how many airports that pack went with me through, how many flights it sat with me under my seat over those ~11 years.

Prison for that? That's just flat out absurd. And all while we're letting rapists and murderers out early because of overcrowding...

 

governments that impose sentences like that are disgusting.

 

And if you are found with certain substances whilst travelling to many Asian countries then,,,,,

 

Why? Their country - don’t like it? Don’t go there. I am assuming you will not be visiting my country anytime soon as you would NOT be allowed to carry your gun

 

can you justify such a moronic law?

 

Another question for you to mull on...

If this man had come from New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or California, does anyone think the governor of his state would have sent a letter to government officials in Turks and Caicos, in support of this man?

 

If you have trouble understanding the outrage from this story, try this, Bowerbird:
Imagine if instead of four bullets it had been four Plan B pills that a woman accidentally left in her purse.

 

Similar incidents HAVE happened - that is why you google travel restricrptions before going to a country.

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/health/medications

 

Yep! What is the murder rate plus their country their rules.

 

so if we passed a law imposing the death penalty for any illegal alien, you'd be ok with that?

 

Well, Turks and Caicos is 87.6% black (racially speaking), which might have something to do with their strict gun control rules.

It's because in the 1700s the islands used to have cotton plantations, and slaves were brought there from Africa. (Sugar plantations were common in the neighboring Carribean islands during their colonial history)

 

You just HAD to go there with a racial slur…….

 

Are we going to refuse to examine the reasons why things are because the possible explanations may be offensive?

 

There are a myriad of alternative explanations so why pick the most offensive?

 

You seem to have some double standards, Bowerbird.
In another thread you seemed to express great concern (to put it mildly) that abortion restrictions were being tightened on women in some U.S. states. Despite the fact you live in Australia, 12,000 kilometers away.

So seems your principles change depending on whether it is an issue you care about, or which side of the issue you are on.

Anyway, it is likely that the prison conditions in Turks and Caicos are not too good.
Grand Turk Prison in Breach of Human Rights Standards, investigation finds – Magnetic Media (magneticmediatv.com)

"The visit revealed that the facility is currently overcrowded with a total of 131 inmates, which included persons on remand. Some of the prisoners had been on remand for significant lengths of time impeding their access to justice, and the facilities themselves were found wanting. One of the major issues and concerns identified by the Commission was the back-up of sewage at the facility. The issue was picked up on when videos of the gray sludge, and overflowing bathrooms where inmates had to contend, were shared by inmates and their relatives. Most of the showers are in disrepair except for the White Wing, and currently on one wing, every toilet on the left-hand side fails to flush."​

 

well maybe the USA should threaten that banana republic with some nasty sanctions.

 

What is the murder rate? I care for the living not the possible. If they have a low murder rate (seems it is 0.0) then they are justified in restrictions
Plus this is a BRITISH territory so likely to have severe firearm restrictions

 

Go for it

I am sure the NRA would love to back you with this after all they have their backers, the gun manufacturing industry to keep happy. But again this is a BRITISH territory and lots of luck bringing ammunition into Britain

 

the USA needs to flex its muscles

 

Why? Aren’t you the one though that criticises me for “interfering” in USA gun discussions? Thought you would lead by example?

 

IF and I repeat IF you can back your assertions with peer reviewed research……. And lols lots of fun with that since science has settled on the belief that there is no such thing as differen races of humanity

 

we are talking about a US citizen with no criminal intent getting more time than the average murderer gets. The main purpose of the US government is to protect its citizens

 

And if you saw my earlier post there are countries out there that will lock you up for having your normal meds on you. Yes it is unfair but that is why we have embassies. It is also on the visiting tourist to ensure they are aware of local laws. I,e, we will sling your arse in jail if you bring some types of weapons into our country. We will fine you and it is big bucks if you bring or even try to bring in certain foods ie bananas

 

I don't care-clearly this man didn't intend to violate the laws. and I think the USA needs to start throwing its weight around. we could ruin that country in a week with economic sanctions. I would have no problem doing that if they continue to hold this man