Turks and Caicos authorities have detained another American citizen, Sharitta Shinise Grier, after discovering two rounds of ammunition in her luggage at the Howard Hamilton International Airport. Grier, a 45-year-old woman from Orlando, Florida, now faces the prospect of up to 12 years in prison under the Caribbean island’s stringent firearm laws.
Grier’s arrest is part of a concerning trend, with several other Americans finding themselves in similar legal predicaments in recent months. The U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas issued a stern warning to American travelers, emphasizing the severe consequences of inadvertently bringing firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos.
Among those previously detained are Ryan Watson, Tyler Wenrich, Bryan Hagerich, and Michael Lee Evans, all of whom are grappling with the possibility of extended prison sentences. Despite their pleas of innocence or ignorance, they remain subject to the laws of Turks and Caicos.
This is Bryan Hagerich
He’s a married father of 2 from Pennsylvania who is rotting away in a Turks & Caicos jail cell after some stray ammunition from a prior hunting trip was found in a random pocket of his checked bag while he was on a family vacation
He faces 12 years in… pic.twitter.com/VPQppygohF
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) May 14, 2024
In a gesture of solidarity, governors from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oklahoma have joined forces to advocate for leniency on behalf of the detained Americans. They acknowledge the mistakes made but stress the absence of malicious intent behind their actions.
Chanchy Willis, Grier’s cousin, shared insights into the detainees’ collective experience, highlighting their mutual support and camaraderie amidst the legal proceedings. Willis emphasized the emotional toll of the situation, underscoring the need for compassion and understanding.
Willie Lucas, Grier’s mother, has appealed for prayers and support for her daughter’s well-being during this challenging time. She urged caution to travelers and implored others to keep her family in their thoughts.
As Grier awaits her court appearance scheduled for July 5, the outcome of her case remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the lives of those involved and serving as a cautionary tale for future travelers to Turks and Caicos.
