Preparedness
Paradise Nightmare: US Tourist Faces 12 Years for Forgotten Ammo
For Ryan Watson, an American tourist, a dream Caribbean vacation quickly turned into a distressing ordeal filled with ‘terrifying interrogations’ and substantial living expenses, when four rounds of hunting ammunition were found hidden in his luggage. Watson and his wife had travelled to the island of Turks and Caicos for a leisure trip, one that saw them landing a potential 12-year prison term.
The couple, hailing from Oklahoma, made the journey in early April to join friends in celebrating their 40th birthdays. On the 12th of April, security personnel at Howard Hamilton International Airport discovered the ammunition, which had been inadvertently left in a duffel bag post a deer hunting trip, as detailed on a GoFundMe page set up on the family’s behalf.
Surprisingly, the ammunition made its way through security checks at their home airport, Will Rogers World Airport. The Transportation Security Administration is currently investigating this lapse in security.
“TSA is conducting a review at OKC, which was the originating airport,” the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.
In Turks and Caicos, both Ryan and Valerie Watson faced charges for possession of ammunition, an offence that carries a minimum sentence of 12 years behind bars.
Watson reported to the Daily Mail that their arrest was followed by a “terrifying interrogation”. He added, “It was all pretty intimidating.”
Valerie commented on WBTS-TV, “When I heard that, I immediately was terrified because I was like, we can’t both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home. And this is such an innocent mistake that we didn’t even know we weren’t – we didn’t even know it was there. So yeah, my immediate thought was our kids and them being, you know, parentless for, for that long.”
Valerie, an elementary school teacher, was eventually cleared of the charges and returned home to be with their children.
In an attempt to secure Ryan’s release, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt reached out to the Turks and Caicos Islands government.
“The Watsons are upstanding members of their community and the State of Oklahoma, and I can assure you countless others stand willing to confirm their high moral characters,” Stitt wrote.
“First and foremost, the Watsons are devoted parents,” Stitt said. “Their two young children, Van and Ellie, need their parents home without delay. Mr. and Mrs. Watson would never intentionally break the law. Again, they are unwavering in moral character, reliable neighbors, and devoted community members.”
Ryan Watson, after nearly two weeks in custody, was able to secure his release by paying a $15,000 bond. There were conditions attached, including forfeiting his passport and staying within the country’s boundaries, while also regularly reporting to local authorities.
The involuntary extended stay in Turks and Caicos has resulted in significant expenses for Watson. He has reportedly been residing in a $500-a-night Airbnb, financially supported by his in-laws.
A GoFundMe set up for the Watson family has garnered close to $210,000 in donations to cover legal and living expenses.
The next court appearance for Watson is slated for June 7th.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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