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Two American Tourists charged with Ammo Possession will know their fate in SEVEN days

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2 years ago

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Photo by Wilke Arthur

Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicosIslands, May 22, 2024 – Two American tourists from two separate arrests and both charged with possession of ammunition in two separate matters demanding the expertise of two local attorneys making their cases before two high court justices.

The defendants are from two different States and their matters were called on the same date while unfolding in the courtroom on two different islands.

PROVIDENCIALES PROCEEDINGS FOR RYAN WATSON

RYAN TYLER WATSON of Oklahoma and TYLER WENRICH of Virginia both appeared in the Turks and Caicos Islands Supreme Court on the same date of Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.

WATSON was in the Providenciales Supreme Court before her Ladyship Ms Tanya Lobban Jackson and TYLER WENRICH was in Grand Turk before his Lordship The Hon Mr Justice Davidson Kevin Baptiste.

Their attorneys are Mr. Oliver Smith KC and Senior Human Rights Attorney Ms Sheena Mair, respectively.

For RYAN WATSON, the case was listed for an application filed by his attorney KC Smith to expedite the proceedings. We can recall that he was remanded to prison on April 23rd and released on bail on the 24th by the Supreme Court.

Watson’s case was adjourned to a sufficiency hearing date of June 7, 2024.

The case was moved to Tuesday May 21st on an application by his defense counsel and the matter is now set for Plea and Directions Hearing ( PDH) in seven days which is May 28th, 2024.

This is indeed a jump from the June sufficiency hearing date, now WATSON if he pleads guilty, could be sentenced soon and his matter expedited for a quick close.

TYLER WENRICH GRAND TURK PROCEEDINGS

As for TYLER WENRICH in the Grand Turk Supreme Court, his judge heard sentencing submissions from his attorney, Ms. Sheena Mair and Mr Clement Joseph of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

We will outline some of the arguments put forward by the defense and the prosecution in the Grand Turk Supreme Court.

At the conclusion of both sides’ arguments, the judge adjourned the actual sentence for a date to be fixed within the next seven days.

Here are the arguments his Lordship Justice Davidson Kevin Baptiste are considering for or against TYLER WENRICH.

He was supported in court by his father, Michael Wenrich, and a United States of America Embassy representative, Mr. Lance Petererson, who flew in from Nassau Bahamas for the proceeding which was also being covered by a leading American broadcaster station, ABC News.

The Court proceeding was delayed some 30 minutes at 10am to ensure the indictment read, the charge of two counts of possession of ammunition was worded correctly (there was a difference between the police report and court’s indictment).

Tyler, a cruise ship passenger at the time of his arrest is charged with having two rounds of 9mm bullets in his carry-on bag.

Human Rights Senior Defense Sheena Mair begins her oral argument, having previously filed her written submissions.

Ms. Mair urged the Court to accept exceptional circumstances in this case for a lesser sentence.

She referred to the Attorney General’s reference that protect against an arbitrary and disproportionate sentence. She submitted that, “A mandatory minimum of 12 years in this case is not what Parliament intended with the firearm ordinance change in October 2022.”

“Tyler’s sentencing will not fix the gun issue in this jurisdiction,” argued Ms.Mair.

Adding that the court would not be undermining Parliament’s decision by using a holistic approach to this case, taking all that was presented into consideration as especially exceptional circumstances.

Mair dealt with the fact that Tyler’s carry-on bag, both TSA/Port Authority, missed the bullets in his flight to Miami from Virginia and him boarding the cruise. He did check his bag, but because the two bullets fell into the lining of a small pocket of the bag, it was impossible to see them.

“This is an offense of inadvertence,” as it is Tyler’s first trip outside the continental United States. He was only on the island for nine hours.

Mair then detailed Tyler’s great character, as a paramedic and volunteer EMT for underserved communities in Virginia. He had 17 character references submitted to the judge. He has no criminal record. She classified these characteristics as “mitigating circumstances,” a reason for a lesser sentence.

He does yard work for elderly homes.

Mair commented on the mandatory minimum of 12 years: “That is not required as a deterrent.”

She made several points on how the Ordinance is meant to deter offenders with criminal intent, not tourists.

“If Tyler knew the bullets were in the bag, he would have removed them immediately.”

Counsel Mair then detailed and outlined previous case authorities such as Michael Grimm and Dave O’Connor.

O’Connor had 44 rounds (received a fine) and Grimm had 20 rounds (8 months custodial sentence). In both cases, she said, the Court of Appeal defended the finding of exceptional circumstances.

Mair described the exception circumstance of health – relating to the impact Tyler’s absence has had on his 18-month-old son Everett.

“He’ll never get that time back with his son.”

Tyler’s 14 days in custody between jail at the police station and on remand at His Majesty’s Prison were also documented. Mair argued that since Tyler spent nearly a month of a custodial sentence, that time should be considered in the sentencing or act as the sentencing itself.

The Attorney General’s report on the Court of Appeal ruling does not specify how long a sentence should be. The Court of Appeals is open to a short, lesser sentence.

“However small” was repeated by Mair, highlighting that any amount of time, even a day of custody would be deemed proportionate.

“How does a 12-year sentence deter a mistake?”

General deterrence has already worked for Tyler, he has learned his lesson and paid the ultimate price, rested the Defence.

PROSECUTION BEGINS SUBMISSIONS

Principle Public Prosecutor, Mr. Clement Joseph who appeared remotely, offered three pillars in his argument: knowledge, custody, and control.

He maintained that there are no exceptional circumstances to prove that Tyler did not possess those three aspects relating the two rounds of ammo.

Joseph began by clarifying Parliament’s definition of exceptional “something that is completely out of the ordinary.”

Joseph argued that since the cases of Americans being detained have exploded in the past two months, these circumstances/mistakes cannot be unique.

“The circumstances the defendant has provided are truly not exceptional.”

Joseph blamed the State Department, the US Embassy, and even travel booking websites for not providing a more clear travel advice including the punishment for possession of ammo.

“Re-boarding a cruise to leave Turks & Caicos is not unique or exceptional. Ammo is more dangerous than a firearm. We are not bound by US laws, we cannot be bound by rules that do not apply in Turks and Caicos,” he said.

Prosecutor Joseph then made claims against the American security apparatus, saying that security efforts in TCI are more effective than those in the US.

“If the US found ammo coming back in from a foreign country, the US would be threatened. Security is paramount to the US.”

The uptick in gun murders in 2022 led to the Turks and Caicos parliament instituting the 12-year sentence in October 2022.

The dominant purpose to go from 7 to 12 years was the “deterrence of future offenders”

A “harsh and draconian punishment is proportionate.”

Mr. Joseph argued that Tyler’s guilty plea should not reduce his sentencing whatsoever.

He stated that parliament did not differentiate between ammo and a firearm in the Ordinance. The two are on equal footing in the eyes of the law, he confirmed.

He then went on to invite the Court to consider a new line of argument never advanced before in any of the other firearms cases regarding the prison ordinance. He said. Secondary legislation (Prison Conduct Regulations) cannot trump or usurp primary legislation (Firearms Ordinance), the required custodial sentence should not be impacted by lower-level rulings.

The principal public prosecutor offered that Tyler’s previous 14-day custody should be subtracted from his overall sentence and not be considered the sentence in itself as submitted by defence attorney Sheena Mair.
On that note, the Prosecution then rested its case.

DEFENSE RESPONDS

Ms. Mair in her closing submissions said Grand Turk prison rules/regulations (involving a lighter sentence for good behavior, where the detainee serves 2/3 of their sentence) are not in the judge’s jurisdiction.

She outlined that Michael Grimm received a shorter sentence due to good behavior.

These exceptional circumstances must be looked at individually and holistically, she reiterated.

It is exceptionally unique that Tyler’s case took place at a cruise port and his bag check was initiated by Royal Caribbean security.

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise Targets Illegal Occupation of Crown Land in Five Cays

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2 days ago

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October 25, 2026

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorised use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land throughout Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorised use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of forty (40) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorised Occupation were served in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to various forms of unauthorised occupation and use of Crown land, including incomplete structures, shipping containers, derelict vehicles, trailer chassis, building materials and other items.

Where persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items. The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that identified instances of unauthorised occupation are appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that Crown land must not be occupied, developed or otherwise used without lawful authority.

The Crown Land Unit, supported by the ISU and its other partner agencies, will continue to identify and address instances of illegal occupation of Crown land across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Persons affected by notices issued during enforcement exercises are encouraged to comply with the requirements outlined and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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BermudAir Launches Service to the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 26th, Expanding Air Connectivity Ahead of Winter Season

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5 days ago

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October 22, 2026

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 22nd, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes BermudAir as the airline begins its service to the destination on Monday, October 26th, marking the start of a wider expansion that will connect us with additional cities across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

BermudAir’s service will begin with a new nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Providenciales. The flight will depart from the Howard Hamilton International Airport at 8 am on Monday morning and arrives at 7.40 pm. Aboard the inaugural flight will be a delegation from the Turks and Caicos Islands led by Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA), and will include Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, as well s representatives of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), the board of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourism Authority, Invest TC and local media.

BermudAir will operate the Fort Lauderdale–Providenciales route three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, through May 3rd, 2027. making it easier for business travellers with the schedule offering the potential for same-day return trips. The airline is also launching nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, Belize, on the same schedule, offering travellers in South Florida direct access to both destinations.

The new service introduces BermudAir’s premium leisure inflight experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flights will operate on Embraer E190 aircraft configured without middle seats, giving every passenger a window or aisle seat, alongside complimentary snacks and beverages.

Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the airline’s arrival, noting the importance of expanding airlift to support the continued development of the destination’s tourism industry.

“Air connectivity remains one of the most important factors in the continued development of our tourism industry. BermudAir’s expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen our connections with key international markets while opening new doors for our sister islands. I am particularly encouraged by the planned direct service between Newark and South Caicos, which speaks directly to our vision of expanding tourism opportunities across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our objective is to ensure that improved connectivity translates into greater economic activity, stronger local businesses and more opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to participate in and benefit from tourism.” said Minister Jolly.

Commenting on the significance of the new route for the country’s development, the Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID), stated: “The introduction of BermudAir’s new service is a testament to the continued growth and development of our aviation sector. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, remains dedicated to enhancing our airport infrastructure to accommodate increased airlift. We are committed to working to ensure that our facilities provide a seamless, world-class experience for all incoming passengers and we warmly welcome BermudAir to our shores.”

The Fort Lauderdale launch is the first of several new services BermudAir plans to introduce to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the 2026–2027 winter season. Additional connections to Providenciales are scheduled from:

  • Bermuda to TCI and Grand Cayman: Beginning December 18th, 2026
  • Anguilla: Beginning December 19th, 2026
  • Boston, Massachusetts: Beginning December 19th, 2026
  • Toronto, Canada: Beginning December 19th, 2026
  • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina: Beginning December 20th, 2026
  • Newark, New Jersey to South Caicos: Beginning December 20th, 2026
  • St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida: Beginning December 21st, 2026
  • Baltimore-Washington: Beginning December 24th, 2026

The expansion will give travellers more options for reaching the destination during the winter travel season, while broadening access from established and developing source markets. The additional routes also create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to reach new audiences and encourage visitors to explore more of the islands.

For flight schedules and bookings, visit www.flybermudair.com.

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DDME Celebrates International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

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5 days ago

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October 22, 2026

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Emcee and members of the panel (L-R): Ms. Arnisiqua Selver, Mistress of Ceremony; Mr. Andrew Gardiner, TCI Red Cross; Mr. Garry McLean, Department of Planning and Ms. Kevaun Lucas, Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 22 October 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) joined the global observance of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) on October 13th.    Various initiatives were held throughout the islands to bring awareness to the public, including panel discussions, community engagement activities, school visits, essay writing and an original video submission from the Eliza Simons School in Grand Turk.

Disaster Risk Reduction is a people-centred endeavour; it emphasises that policies, systems and investments must be designed around the needs and capabilities of individuals and communities, according to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.  Each year, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), as the implementing agency for the Sendai Framework, issues a call to action encouraging individuals, communities, and countries to become resilient.

The 2026 IDDRR theme, ‘Resilience Starts at Home’ seeks to bring global and national awareness of the core role of households in disaster risk reduction, advocating for stronger governance and investment in resilient housing, reducing housing-related risk and empowering households to take risk-informed actions to protect themselves and strengthen community resilience.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, in an effort to reduce disaster risk, seeks to observe the concepts and core principles of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030. Throughout the years, many initiatives have been taken through the various stages of the disaster cycle from preparedness to recovery in an effort to strengthen the resilience of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  Initiatives such as the creation and consistent updating of building codes, the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Housing Project following major hurricanes such as Ike in 2008, the creation of an early recovery framework, as well as strengthening CCRIFF insurance were all implemented to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands were on the path to build back stronger and better.

This year’s theme underscores the roles governments, the private sector, and individuals play in ensuring communities and homes are safe and more resilient. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has made significant strides in ensuring that homes are constructed through the use of risk-informed planning, land use planning and construction practices. The Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Housing Project, which facilitated the construction of twenty-four (24) completely rebuilt homes and repaired thirty-four (34) homes, provided a baseline for future housing initiatives such as Programme 3. This programme includes community renewal and infilling under the National Housing Policy and seeks to repair property that has sustained physical damage for vulnerable people.

Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands are reminded of the individual role that they can play in ensuring that their homes are resilient.

  • Ensure that you obtain the proper approvals from the Planning Department before building.
  • Ensure that you utilise the standards and building codes of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
  • Include proper drainage systems and other methods to reduce flooding and water pooling near your home.
  • Update your family emergency plans and ensure that everyone in your household is aware of its contents.

Let us all do our part in ensuring that all homes across the Turks and Caicos Islands are resilient.

Highlights from IDDRR can be seen on the Official DDME Social media accounts: Facebook @ddme.tci_official and Instagram @ddm.tci

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