American returns home after suspended sentence for possession of ammunition at TCI

An American, Bryan Hagerich of Somerset, Pennsylvania, who was arrested in the Caribbean for illegally transporting ammunition, returned home Friday evening.

“You know, as a father, as a husband, finally reunited, after 101 days, I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders,” Hagerich said after reuniting with his family at the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Hagerich was given a suspended sentence Friday, according to a Turks and Caicos Islands spokesperson.

He is one of five Americans to face similar munitions-related criminal charges in the Turks and Caicos Islands while visiting the upscale tourist destination located about 600 miles (965 km) southeast of Miami.

“The darkest eight days of my life. Even apart from that, you know, you think you're on this beautiful island, but there's nothing beautiful when you don't have family,” he said. he declared.

The British territory passed stricter gun laws in 2022 following a rise in gun violence and arms trafficking, and the US State Department has warned travelers to the Turks and Caicos to be vigilant and keep weapons and ammunition out of their luggage.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania met with Hagerich and other Americans facing similar charges earlier this week.

“To bring together the congressional delegation to come to Turks and Caicos, never in a thousand years did I expect this type of support. And they played such an important role in bringing me home, and I hope that the others will follow soon,” Hagerich said.

He has paid his fine of US$6,700 and if he does not get into trouble over the next year, he will not have to serve his sentence.

Hagerich had previously pleaded guilty to possessing 20 shotgun shells, according to an April 26 news release from the Department of Communications. He was out on bail.

“In just 12 hours, my life has done a complete 180. In 12 years, my biggest concern is coaching my kids to tomorrow's baseball games. And it's such a relief,” said Hagerich said.

The governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia wrote to the islands' governor this month on behalf of three of the indicted men from their states. They claimed they had mistakenly taken ammunition with them on vacation and had no firearms.

AP video by Jessie Wardarski