Turks and Caicos Islands slams US lawmaker's remarks ahead of American's munitions conviction

Turks and Caicos Islands officials have criticized remarks by U.S. lawmakers who visited the islands earlier this week to push for the release of Americans who were arrested there — and could potentially face 12-year sentences .

In a speech to the Legislative Assembly, the islands' Prime Minister, Washington Misick, said: “Congressman (Guy Reschenthaler)'s accusations against the government and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are nothing more than evil lies. »

The comments come after Reschenthaler said in an interview with ABC News earlier this week that “we're at the point now, (where) every three weeks, an American is unjustly detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands.” » Reschenthaler told CNN this week that the Turks and Caicos Islands prison had been flagged by the UN on humanitarian grounds.

A U.S. congressional delegation traveled to the islands to meet with officials earlier this week to press for the release of Americans detained and charged with possessing munitions.

Three of the Americans – Michael Lee Evans, Bryan Hagerich and Tyler Wenrich – pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition while traveling in the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to the Turks and Caicos government. Hagerich is expected to be sentenced Friday at 10 a.m. ET, his attorney Oliver Smith told CNN.

A fourth person, Ryan Tyler Watson, will have a hearing May 28 to determine whether he will enter a plea or go to trial, Smith said. A fifth person, Sharitta Shinese Grier, was arrested last week and is awaiting trial after being released on bail, according to Kimo Tynes​​​​, director of communications at the Office of the Prime Minister and Public Policy.

The five Americans were each arrested in recent months in the British Overseas Territory, where the carrying of firearms is prohibited. Each is accused of transporting various quantities of munitions to the chain of 40 islands in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas.

On Monday, Reschenthaler told CNN's Manu Raju that he wanted to see a “resolution here where Americans would have no prison time.” They should serve time in prison and be returned home to the United States.

Reschenthaler continued: “These were innocent mistakes. Any other country would face a fine by sending this person back to their country of origin. Here, that doesn't happen.

The Americans face a fine for violating the government's firearms order, in addition to possible sentences of 12 years, but the court could hand down lighter sentences if it determines there are exceptional circumstances related to the offense, according to Smith, who also represents Evans.

Evans is currently out on bail and has been allowed to return to the United States due to a “serious” medical condition, but he will have to return to the Turks and Caicos Islands for his next hearing, Smith said.

The court is also expected to rule on a legal challenge brought by Smith regarding the constitutionality of the legislation as it relates to how defendants can be sentenced, according to Smith.

The group of U.S. lawmakers who traveled to the Turks and Caicos Islands this week to push for the charges to be dropped said the arrested Americans had the munitions in their luggage “inadvertently.”

One of the US lawmakers, Senator Markwayne Mullin, said in a statement on Monday: “Unfortunately, despite our willingness to work with Turks and Caicos officials to bring our voters home, we have been unable to find a way forward today. »

Reschenthaler said the 12-year minimum sentence imposed on the munitions charges is “totally unacceptable” and that the Americans brought the munitions unknowingly.

Turks and Caicos Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratna said in a press release Wednesday that the Turks and Caicos Islands values ​​its relationship with the United States and that the two countries work in a “strong partnership to address threats communities in the region.

The statement said the Turks and Caicos Islands did not target U.S. citizens and called Reschenthaler's remarks regarding the congressional delegation's trip to the islands to meet with officials “highly regrettable.”

“His description of our meeting is not one we recognize,” the statement said.

“Our discussions were professional and respectful and focused on clarifying the legal situation and the well-being of individuals,” the statement continued.

The governor added that the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years for possession of firearms and/or ammunition is in place to protect island residents and that the law gives the judge discretion, in “exceptional circumstances.” , to impose a reduced sentence.

No American citizen has been sentenced to 12 years in prison to date, according to the release.

Prime Minister: “The law must be applied fairly”

Misick said that of a total of 195 people convicted of gun offenses in the past six years, only seven were U.S. citizens. The prime minister said on Thursday that no special treatment should be given to any group.

“The law must be applied fairly,” Misick said.

Bringing firearms or ammunition, including stray bullets, into the Turks and Caicos Islands without prior police authorization is “strictly prohibited,” according to a government statement, previously reported by CNN.

People who break the law face a minimum sentence of 12 years in prison, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas said in an advisory issued in April.

While the United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands work together in the fight against narcotics, terrorism and money laundering, “our laws and our processes are not consistent,” Misick said. “We are a distinct sovereignty. We respect the laws of the United States and we would never think of interfering with its operation.”

The Turks and Caicos government, Misick said, would take “decisive and comprehensive action to preserve the safety and security of our nation,” adding that while the country does not manufacture firearms or ammunition, the number of firearms arriving in the islands has increased. increase.

Opposition Designate MP Alvin Garland has expressed concern over US citizens arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition over the past six months.

Garland said the islands' governor was right not to interfere in ongoing court cases in order to respect the government's separation of powers, but added that he believed most, if not all, cases involving of American tourists would fall under “exceptional circumstances”. category” and sentences could be shorter than the mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN's Manu Raju, Fabiana Chaparro and Amanda Musa contributed to this report.

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