Pennsylvania man released from Turks and Caicos after possessing ammunition
(WHTM) – A Pennsylvania man has been released from custody in Turks and Caicos after possessing ammunition in his luggage.
Bryan Hagerich of Somerset County, who had been detained on the island for three months, was fined $6,700 and received a 52 week suspended sentence after pleading guilty to possessing 20 rounds of rifle ammunition. Hagerich had been free on bail before receiving his sentence.
The news was announced by U.S. Senator John Fetterman, who recently visited Turks and Caicos with a congressional delegation to advocate for the release of five Americans arrested for possessing ammunition.
“This is great news. Bryan is coming home to his family. It was an honor to meet Bryan and the other detained Americans in TCI this week,” said Fetterman. “When we met with TCI officials a few days ago, they made clear that they wanted this situation resolved. They recognized that Bryan and the other detained Americans are not gunrunners – they are just people who made a mistake. I’m grateful that the judge recognized that the right thing to do was to send Bryan home. I’m also grateful to the U.S. State Department which has been a critical partner in bringing Bryan home. I’m hopeful that TCI expedites the rest of these cases and that the other detained Americans will soon be released and reunited with their families as well.”
Governor Josh Shapiro, who also called for the release of all five Americans, released a statement welcoming Hagerich home.
“So glad Bryan is coming back home to his wife Ashley and their kids in Somerset County,” said Shapiro on X.
The Governor also reminded everyone to check other countries’ laws before traveling abroad.
The British territory significantly tightened its gun laws in 2022 following a jump in gun violence and weapons trafficking. The strict penalties were meant to protect the community by deterring gun crimes, the government has said.
The British territory significantly tightened its gun laws in 2022 following a jump in gun violence and weapons trafficking. The strict penalties were meant to protect the community by deterring gun crimes, the government has said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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