Tyler Wenrich, a Virginia father detained in Turks and Caicos for stray bullets in his travel bag, expressed fear and uncertainty ahead of his potential 12-year prison sentence. Alongside four other Americans, Wenrich was arrested under a new ordinance imposing harsh penalties for possessing ammunition.
Tyler Wenrich, a Virginia man detained in Turks and Caicos over stray bullets in his travel backpack, is speaking out as he faces a potential 12-year prison sentence.
Wenrich, a father with a wife and 1-year-old son, told Fox News Digital that the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence is "scary and daunting."
"It's scary and uncertain. I'm kind of in a lull right now because I don't have a [sentencing] date yet set. It's just a roller coaster," Wenrich said. "And it'll get that way again when we have a sentencing date and, and have to go into the courtroom to kind of figure out what my fate is going to be."
Wenrich and the other Americans arrested must prove that they were detained under extraordinary circumstances to receive a lighter punishment.
Wenrich flew from Virginia to Florida, where he boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise for a "wedding party," all without the bullets being detected.
He was arrested on April 20 following a wedding party in Turks and Caicos and pleaded guilty in court on Monday, where prosecutors and his defense team presented oral arguments.
Wenrich's bag was scanned by cruise ship security as he prepared to board the ship to return home, and two stray bullets were discovered.
Wenrich was then turned over to local police.
The other Americans arrested in Turks for having stray ammo were apprehended at airports on the islands.
Wenrich emphasized that his case differs as he was arrested after the cruise ship authorities discovered the bullets.
"Everybody else has been at the airport, so that's a lot different than their cases," Wenrich said. "But as far as the charge goes, it's very similar."
Despite the charges, Wenrich expressed gratitude for the support he and his family have received from friends, locals, and the other Americans detained in Turks and Caicos.
"Our friends and family have been phenomenal taking care of them, and the people in the community have been nothing short of just helpful and supportive of [my wife and children], bringing them food and and everything," Wenrich said. "Taking care of the house. And then us here… we've had a bunch of support from the other Americans that are involved in this. And we keep in contact every day, try to encourage each other and keep each other in our prayers."
He acknowledged the mistakes made but emphasized the need for better safeguards to prevent such incidents.
"Everybody does make mistakes," he said. "And that's what this was for all of us. And we just have to be cognizant of what we're traveling with. And I think some of our systems need to be in cahoots to have a better fail-safe in place just in case this happens."
Wenrich's plea came after a bipartisan congressional delegation visited TCI on Monday to request the release of the detained Americans.
The delegation expressed concern for their well-being and sought clarification on the legal process.
Turks and Caicos officials stated that they could not intervene in ongoing legal cases and emphasized the strict laws against possessing firearms and ammunition.
Last week, governors from Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia sent a letter to the Turks and Caicos governor, urging the release of Watson, Hagerich, and Wenrich. They maintained that the individuals had no intention of violating laws and had unknowingly carried ammunition into the territory.
