Oklahoma man returns to US after ammo arrest in Turks and Caicos

The Oklahoma man who faced 12 years in a tropical prison after Turks and Caicos authorities found four stray bullets in his luggage is returning to the United States after a months-long ordeal.

Ryan Watson, 40, was arrested in April at the country's main airport.

At his sentencing hearing Friday, Watson was given a 13-week suspended prison sentence and a $2,000 fine — or $500 per bullet, according to family spokesman Jonathan Franks.

Watson had to pay the fine and catch a flight to Oklahoma City before the end of the day.

After the sentencing, the judge urged U.S. travelers to the Turks and Caicos Islands to double-check their bags and directed the Transportation Safety Administration to screen outgoing travelers.

Watson is one of five Americans arrested this year for violating the Turks and Caicos Islands' munitions law.

Watson previously told Fox News Digital that he had no plans to bring ammunition on his vacation and that the bullets had been forgotten in his bag after a previous hunting trip.

The country's parliament unanimously agreed earlier this week to revise the new order after “much hesitation” from US lawmakers, the country's TCI Newsline reported.

In May, a bipartisan congressional delegation visited the Turks and Caicos Islands and personally requested the release of U.S. citizens.

“This legislative change is a crucial step in ensuring that our legal system is both fair and flexible,” the leader of the opposition in Parliament, Edwin Astwood, told the Sun TCI, another local newspaper. “It recognizes that not all cases are the same and that our judges must have the ability to consider all factors and impose sentences that are truly just and appropriate.” »

He said the aim was to uphold the rule of law – but also to differentiate between real threats and people who made a mistake.

Other Americans charged under the order include Bryan Hagerich, a 39-year-old Pennsylvanian, father of two and former professional baseball player, who returned home after more than 100 days in jail after the court ruled agreed to fine him $6,500 and avoid prison.

Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas, pleaded guilty to possessing seven rounds of ammunition, according to The TCI Sun. He was still awaiting sentencing but had been allowed to return to the United States because of a serious illness, authorities said.

Tyler Wenrich, of Virginia, was released in May after paying a $10,000 fine. Sharitta Grier, of Florida, is also awaiting sentencing.