American Tourist Fined and Given Suspended Sentence in Turks and Caicos Ammunition Case

In a recent sentencing hearing on Thursday, Sharitta Grier, an American tourist who had been charged with bringing ammunition to Turks and Caicos, narrowly avoided being sent to jail. Grier, who has been on the islands since her arrest in May, was instead fined $1,500 and given a 23-week suspended sentence.

Grier, accompanied by her daughter, had been visiting Turks and Caicos to celebrate Mother's Day when authorities at the Howard Hamilton International Airport discovered two rounds of ammunition in her bag during a routine search. The tourist pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition but maintained that she had no knowledge of the bullets being in her duffel bag.

Grier is one of five American tourists who have recently faced charges under the gun laws of Turks and Caicos. However, while the law stipulates a mandatory 12-year prison sentence, the court has found "exceptional circumstances" in a number of cases and opted for alternative penalties.

Three other American tourists who faced similar charges and detainment were able to avoid jail time and return home. Tyler Wenrich was sentenced to time served and fined $9,000, Bryan Hagerich received a suspended 52-week sentence and a fine of $6,700, and Ryan Watson was fined $2,000 for carrying four bullets in his luggage. Michael Lee Evans, another American tourist, was allowed to return to Texas during his legal proceedings and received a 33-week suspended sentence with no fine.

In response to these cases, the Turks and Caicos government implemented a bill amending their firearms ordinance, allowing the court more discretion when "exceptional circumstances" arise. This amendment grants the court the power to impose fines, custodial sentences, or both, depending on the circumstances.

Grier, who expressed her happiness at being able to go home following her sentencing, can now finally leave Turks and Caicos after being released. The fine and suspended sentence serve as a reminder of the strict gun laws and the potential consequences for inadvertently violating them.

The cases of these American tourists have shed light on the need for clear guidelines regarding "exceptional circumstances" in the application of firearm laws. With the amended firearms ordinance in place, the court in Turks and Caicos now possesses a wider range of discretionary powers when sentencing individuals convicted of firearms violations.