Michael Wenrich, the father of a one-year-old son, faces 12 years in Turks and Caicos prison after airport security found stray bullets in his luggage. Wenrich is one of five Americans arrested since February for possessing ammunition on the islands under a new ordinance imposing a 12-year minimum sentence.
Michael Wenrich, the father of a one-year-old son, faces 12 years in Turks and Caicos prison after airport security found stray bullets in his luggage. Wenrich is one of five Americans arrested since February for possessing ammunition on the islands under a new ordinance imposing a 12-year minimum sentence.
Wenrich pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition in Turks and Caicos (TCI) on Monday. He is expecting his sentencing hearing to be scheduled within the next week.
Wenrich flew from Virginia to Florida, where he boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise for a wedding party. The stray bullets were not detected during any of his flights or stops.
Upon returning home, Wenrich was detained at the airport when security found two stray bullets in his bag. He was arrested on April 20 and has been in custody since then.
The strict ammunition law in Turks and Caicos has sparked controversy and concern. A bipartisan congressional delegation recently visited TCI to ask government leaders to release the detained Americans.
Last week, the governors of Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia sent a letter to Turks and Caicos Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam urging the release of Watson, Hagerich, and Wenrich.
The governors argued that the Americans did not intend to bring ammunition into Turks and Caicos and that any ammunition left in their luggage was the result of lawful conduct in the United States.
The U.S. State Department has issued a public service announcement warning Americans that they can be arrested for possessing any ammunition in many countries, even a single stray shell or casing.
The State Department advises travelers to check pockets and "every nook and cranny" of suitcases before traveling to avoid problems overseas.
The case of Tyler Wenrich has raised concerns about the fairness of the new ammunition law in Turks and Caicos and the potential impact it could have on tourism.
