Bryan Hagerich, a Pennsylvania father of two, discusses his experience being arrested and detained for over 100 days in Turks and Caicos over stray ammunition in his luggage. He criticizes the State Department for lack of support and alleges anti-American sentiment among Turks and Caicos government officials.
Bryan Hagerich, a 39-year-old former baseball pro and father of two from Pennsylvania, recently returned home after a harrowing experience being arrested and detained in Turks and Caicos for over 100 days. He was accused of possessing stray ammunition in his luggage at an airport on the islands, a crime that carries a minimum 12-year sentence in TCI.
Hagerich vehemently denies any knowledge of the ammunition and asserts that it was an unintentional oversight. However, he was forced to defend himself against the severe charges. Eventually, a judge ordered him to pay a $6,500 fine and allowed him to return home.
Now, Hagerich is speaking out about his experience, criticizing the State Department for a lack of support during his ordeal and alleging anti-American sentiment among TCI government officials.
"I wasn't contacted by the State Department once I was detained for over two months," Hagerich told Fox News Digital. "Once I was initially contacted, it was after the story had gathered national media attention."
Hagerich also recalled a State Department official joking, "Why don't you guys just hop on a boat? If you show up on the U.S. soil, they have to let you back in."
This comment, he said, begs the question of whether the State Department is on the side of American citizens or foreign governments in such situations.
Hagerich further alleges that TCI government officials exhibited anti-American sentiment throughout his case. Prosecutors compared him to American murderer and Brittney Griner, he claims.
"They need to look at a different approach to solve this," Hagerich said. "They're doing a better job of capturing American fathers, mothers, grandmothers, than they are their own people [committing crimes]."
Hagerich's account echoes those of other recently detained Americans in Turks and Caicos. Michael Wenrich, a Virginia father, was also arrested for having ammo in his luggage. He was released after paying a $10,000 fine.
Wenrich said he was fortunate to have his father reach out to the State Department on his behalf. However, he also felt the need to push for their help.
Both Hagerich and Wenrich expressed gratitude to state and federal lawmakers, as well as their friends and family, for their assistance in their return.
The State Department declined to provide specific comments on the Americans detained in Turks and Caicos, citing privacy concerns. However, it emphasized its commitment to providing consular assistance to U.S. citizens arrested abroad.
The five Americans detained in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammo in their luggage include Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Sharitta Grier of Florida, Michael Lee Evans, Bryan Hagerich, and Tyler Wenrich. Two, Watson and Grier, still face their sentencings.
