Another American arrested in Turks and Caicos, facing 12-year prison sentence
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Another American man is in custody in Turks and Caicos after he allegedly brought ammunition to the British overseas territory.
According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, 31-year-old Tyler Scott Wenrich, of Richmond, Virginia, was charged with possession of ammunition on Tuesday.
Police said Wenrich traveled to the island of Grand Turk on a cruise ship and, while going through a security checkpoint, it was discovered that he had ammunition in his possession.
While U.S. incidents involving ammunition in airport security checkpoints usually result in a fine, Turks and Caicos has laws that could result in 12-year minimum prison sentences.
Wenrich is the vice president of Emergency Services Solutions, Inc., which is based in Virginia. The company’s CEO, Blanton Marchese, confirmed to Nexstar’s WRIC Friday that Wenrich is based in the Richmond area.
He is scheduled to appear in court on June 7.
US traveler facing 12 years in jail for carrying ammo to Turks and Caicos: ‘Boneheaded mistake’
The news comes after a similar incident involving a man from Oklahoma, Ryan Watson. He was traveling to Turks and Caicos with his wife on a birthday trip this month, and was stopped by airport security as he was trying to leave the country. Ammunition was found in his carry-on luggage.
The family contends the ammo was left there by mistake, and told NewsNation it had been missed by TSA on their way out of the U.S.
Watson is also being held in Turks and Caicos awaiting his June 7 court date, NewsNation reports. Both men face a possible 12-year sentence.
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