- The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, nestled between the Bahamas to the northwest and Haiti to the southeast
An American tourist, Ryan Watson, is confronting the possibility of over a decade in prison in the Turks and Caicos islands following the discovery of ammunition in his luggage. Watson, a 40-year-old father of two from Oklahoma, is currently out on bail but cannot leave the country. He must report to a local police station twice a week. The mandatory minimum sentence he faces is 12 years.
Possession of guns or ammunition by tourists in Turks and Caicos is strictly prohibited. Although previously addressable by fines, a recent court ruling now enforces prison sentences for such violations.
Expressing deep remorse, Watson told CBS News, “I completely respect their laws and support their goals regarding gun control. I’m praying for understanding that this was a genuine mistake with no ill intent.” Watson was in the country with his wife earlier this month and insists he had no intention of breaking the law.
The situation unfolded on April 12 when security discovered four rounds of hunting ammunition in Watson’s carry-on during their return journey. The ammunition was likely left over from a prior hunting trip in Texas, a fact overlooked by TSA in Oklahoma City at the beginning of their trip.
Watson’s predicament is not isolated; several Americans have faced similar situations in Turks and Caicos recently. Conditions in local detention are tough, with exposure to the elements and health risks from mosquitoes and tropical diseases.
While his wife Valerie has returned to Oklahoma with their children, aged 9 and 7, Watson is desperately trying to maintain contact through FaceTime, aware that prison may severely restrict communication. He expressed hope that the U.S. State Department will intervene to resolve the cases of Americans detained under these circumstances, highlighting the emotional toll it’s taking on families, “My kids don’t understand what’s happening, and it’s breaking our hearts.”
