Oklahoma gov says Americans’ arrests in Turks and Caicos ‘absurd’
- Americans face charges in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammo in luggage
- Gov. Kevin Stitt said 'punishment does not fit the crime'
- Jailed Americans face minimum sentence of 12 years in prison
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(NewsNation) — The governor of Oklahoma says he is working behind the scenes to help free four Americans who have been jailed in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition they say was accidentally left their luggage.
Gov. Kevin Stitt during an appearance Tuesday on “Morning in America” called the charges against the four men, which includes one Oklahoman, “absurd.”
Michael Lee Evans, Bryan Hagerich, Tyler Scott Wenrich and Ryan Tyler Watson were charged for collectively carrying 33 rounds of ammunition after authorities found the bullets in their bags when they tried to return home after a trip to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
The men said the bullets were “unknowingly left in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip” that went unnoticed by airport authorities when they left the United States.
In Turks and Caicos Islands, which is a British territory, no firearms, weapons or stray bullets are allowed on the islands. Local authorities strictly enforce firearms and ammunition-related laws.
Turks and Caicos said in a statement that it is “the travelers’ responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of” weapons and ammunition, which is “strictly forbidden” without prior permission.
The men could face a minimum 12-year prison sentence.
“The punishment does not fit the crime,” Stitt said on “Morning in America.”
Stitt said he has been speaking with the governor of Turks and Caicos as well as the British government in an effort to bring the men home.
He is also working with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, several senators and the State Department to assist the men.
“We have to put pressure on Turks and Caicos and maybe have a travel ban there because this is just really, really, really odd that they are trying to put this guy away, all of these guys away,” he said.
“You would think there would be a fine and they would understand how this will affect their tourism industry,” Stitt added.
Pennsylvanian Bryan Hagerich was scheduled to be sentenced Friday, but that was postponed to the end of the month, signaling that the country does feel some “heat,” Stitt said.
Hagerich pleaded guilty to carrying 20 rifle rounds in his luggage.
