Oklahoma man arrested at Turks in Caicos returning home

An Arcadia man who was arrested two months ago in the Turks and Caicos Islands after ammunition was found in his luggage will return to Oklahoma Friday evening.

According to the public relations firm representing Watson's family, Ryan Watson arrived at the court around 10 a.m. Friday to be present for his sentencing.

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Watson was taken into custody after ammunition from a previous hunting trip was found in his carry-on bag as he went through airport security on his way back to the United States .

Watson is not the only American tourist to face ammunition charges in the Turks and Caicos Islands, as four others were arrested after bullets were found by airport security.

U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin and Representative Josh Breechen, both lawmakers representing Oklahoma in Washington, D.C., visited the island in May to discuss the arrests and, although they were unable to negotiate the release of the Americans detained, two of them returned home after being arrested. fines and reduced sentences.

Turks and Caicos Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam defended the country's laws and said no American had received the full sentence of 12 years in prison until last week, when the island's government amended its gun control law to allow for more lenient sentences. sentencing in this type of case.

The case led to changes at Will Rogers World Airport, where Watson and his family departed on their trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and led to action by U.S. lawmakers.

U.S. Senator James Lankford sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration, asking how it managed to allow citizens to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands with ammunition in their bags.

The TSA said agents will receive additional training on how to retrieve these items or risk being placed on administrative leave or being terminated from their position.