American sentenced to prison and fined $9,000 for bringing ammunition to Turks and Caicos

A Virginia man was sentenced to prison and fined $9,000 for bringing ammunition to the Turks and Caicos Islands, avoiding a potential 12-year prison sentence under strict gun laws. fire of the islands.

Tyler Wenrich, of Richmond, traveled to Grand Turk on a cruise ship for a bachelor party in late April when ammunition was found in his possession as he passed through a security checkpoint, said the police.

The 911 operator and emergency medical technician has remained on the island since his arrest and pleaded guilty May 21 to two counts of possession of ammunition, for two 9mm rounds.

A judge handed down a three-week prison sentence Tuesday morning, which amounts to time served when taking into account the time Wenrich spent in jail after his arrest.

The 31-year-old father will be able to return home after paying a $9,000 fine.

He and his wife, who was present for the sentencing, plan to return home Thursday, Wenrich told ABC News.

“I feel very relieved,” he said after the sentencing. “A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and those of my wife.”

MORE: What to know about Turks and Caicos' strict gun laws after US tourists charged with possessing ammunition

Wenrich has been separated from his 18-month-old son since his arrest.

“I’m happy to be able to come home and be reunited with my son,” he said.

Wenrich had gone shooting at a shooting range with friends and said he forgot he was carrying the ammunition.

The penalty for traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a firearm, ammunition or other weapon can result in a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison. However, the judge has the discretion to impose a more lenient sentence if he considers that exceptional circumstances exist.

“I have a lot of fear and anxiety about what's going to happen and I hope the judge shows compassion and leniency in the situation I find myself in,” Wenrich told ABC News more early this month.

Justice Davidson Baptiste “cited exceptional circumstances” in Wenrich’s case and “emphasized that the application of the mandatory minimum sentence would have been arbitrary and disproportionate and would not serve the public interest,” the islands government said Turks and Caicos in a statement following the conviction. .

“The Government of Turks and Caicos remains committed to enforcing its laws to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors,” the statement continued. “This case highlights the importance of vigilance and compliance with local regulations by all visitors.”

MORE: American detained in Turks and Caicos over ammunition speaks out after returning home

Wenrich is one of five Americans charged under the firearms ordinance for possession of ammunition in the past five months.

Bryan Hagerich — a Pennsylvania father who pleaded guilty to possessing 20 rounds of ammunition — was sentenced Friday to a 52-week suspended prison sentence and a $6,700 fine, which he promptly paid and has since returned in the USA.

Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Michael Lee Evans of Texas and Sharitta Grier of Florida were also charged after ammunition was found in their luggage.

Each of the defendants testified that he did not intentionally package the ammunition. Evans was able to leave the island due to health issues while on bail and awaiting sentencing.

Watson and Grier are also free on bail, but are not allowed to leave the Turks and Caicos Islands while their case progresses.

ABC News' Matt Rivers, Wilkie Arthur and Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.

American sentenced to prison, fined $9,000 for bringing ammunition to Turks and Caicos originally appeared on abcnews.go.com