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

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1 year 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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103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

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2 weeks ago

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September 21, 2025

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Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

  • 75 males (including two minors)
  • 28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands.                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force

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Invest Turks and Caicos Celebrates a Decade of Innovation and Impact at 4th Annual General Meeting  

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3 weeks ago

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September 19, 2025

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – September 19, 2025 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Agency (Invest TCI) proudly hosted its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the Ritz Carlton, Turks and Caicos, marking a historic milestone, under the theme ‘ Celebrating a Decade of Innovation and Impact’.

The celebratory event brought together government officials, investors, developers, business leaders, and community stakeholders as the agency reflected on ten years of strategic growth and outlined its vision for the next decade.

The meeting was called to order by Chairlady, Ms. Cindy Ewing, who welcomed the full house with energy and gratitude. She acknowledged the partnerships which have fuelled Invest TCI’s success over its first ten years. In her remarks, she stated, ‘This agency was created with a clear purpose, to attract sustainable investment that would strengthen our economy and open new doors for our people’.

The evening continued with a powerful address from Honourable Premier Charles Washington Misick, emphasizing the role of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development as cornerstones of the country’s future. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment, community-driven infrastructure, and balanced growth. Building on that vision, Her Excellency, Acting Governor Anya Williams reflected on how the landscape has shifted from TCI once seeking foreign investors to now being actively pursued. She emphasized that with this new dynamic, growth must remain sustainable, protect the environment, and deliver lasting benefits for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Delivering the agency’s annual performance report, CEO Mrs. Angela Musgrove outlined achievements during the 2024–2025 financial year. These included the first Youth Business Summit, the opening of a new office in Grand Turk, the launch of the Community Pop-Up Series, the approval of the Heritage Turks and Caicos Islander Investment Policy, and advancement of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy. She also reflected on a decade of accomplishments, noting how Invest TCI has expanded its reach, strengthened its impact, and positioned the islands for greater opportunity.

A Ten Years in Review video presentation followed, sparking applause and pride as it highlighted milestones in national development. The film set the stage for an invigorating panel discussion under the theme “The Next Horizon: Catalyzing Economic Development through Investment,” moderated by financial expert Mr. Drexwell Seymour.

The panel featured an extraordinary lineup: Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, former Premiers Hon. Galmo Williams and Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, CEO Mrs. Angela Musgrove, and youth leader Ms. Arielle Neely. The discussion highlighted not only the perspectives of national leaders but also the entrepreneurial achievements of the former Premiers, both of whom have successfully built businesses that continue to contribute to the Turks and Caicos economy. The presence of three seasoned leaders alongside Invest TCI’s chief executive and a dynamic youth voice captivated the audience, underscoring both the depth of experience and the promise of the next generation.

The discussion was focused on how investment can power sustainable growth and resilience in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Key themes included sustainable development, innovation and technology, local business competitiveness, youth integration, and public-private collaboration. Panelists emphasized the need for robust legislative frameworks and compliance, while highlighting human capital development as the cornerstone of future progress. Ms. Neely added a compelling youth perspective, calling for measurable inclusion through Youth Impact data and innovative financing models to ensure young people are active stakeholders in shaping the economy.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Invest TCI also launched the Inaugural Developer Awards, created to recognize developers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive, responsible, and impactful development. The awards spotlighted projects that extended beyond commercial success to deliver meaningful community value.

Two award categories were introduced:

  • Sustainability Trailblazer: Recognizing developers who lead in building sustainable legacies through infrastructure, cultural preservation, and enduring community partnerships.
  • Community Impact Award: Honouring developers who have made the most visible social contributions through job creation, training, community programs, and philanthropy.

Submissions showcased initiatives such as recycling and composting programs, eliminating single-use plastics, landscaping with indigenous vegetation, and investments in renewable energy. Many also reflected consistent support for local charities, reinforcing the vision of development that uplifts both the economy and the community.

Nominees included The Hartling Group, Sandals Group (Beaches Turks and Caicos), Grace Bay Resorts, Waterloo Investments Holdings Ltd., and JEM TCI Holdings Ltd. (Salterra Resort & Spa). Grace Bay Resorts received the Sustainability Trailblazer Award, while Sandals Group (Beaches Turks and Caicos) was honoured with the Community Impact Award.

Other memorable moments of the evening included two luxury raffle draws and a special recognition presented to Ms. Sheryl McLaughlin for five years of dedicated service to the agency.

The evening concluded with closing remarks from Deputy Chair Mr. Walter Gardiner, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and extended appreciation to the organizers for delivering a successful and memorable celebration.

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Hair Evolution 2025: Beauty, Fashion, and Community Take Center Stage in Turks and Caicos

Published

3 weeks ago

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September 16, 2025

By

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Providenciales will come alive this September as the Hair Evolution International Beauty Education Expo & Hair Show takes center stage for two days of creativity, culture, and community impact. Hosted by New Light Entertainment, the highly anticipated event runs from September 26–27, 2025, blending artistry with empowerment while spotlighting some of the region’s brightest talents and industry pioneers.

Day One, set for Friday, September 26 at Graceway Sports Centre, will feature the International Beauty Education Expo, an immersive program dedicated to skill-building and professional growth. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., attendees can take part in live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions led by international experts. Highlights include the discussion “Where Style Meets Strategy: Elevating Beauty, Business & Wellbeing” featuring renowned panelists such as dermatologist Dr. Marsha Barnett, cosmetologist and educator Dr. Kym Stubbs, Jamaica International Beauty Expo founder Suzette Brown, Toronto-based event producer Keisha Pinto, and educator Orica Smart. Celebrity stylists will also lead specialized trade classes, including a wig installation masterclass taught by Sophia Kay.

The Expo’s mission goes beyond beauty. It provides networking opportunities, showcases local and international vendors, and connects aspiring professionals—particularly youth—with career pathways in the creative industry. Part proceeds will benefit the Cancer Society of the Turks and Caicos Islands, ensuring that the event makes a lasting impact both inside and outside the beauty arena.

On Saturday, September 27, the spotlight shifts to Brayton Hall for the dazzling Main Stage Hair & Fashion Showcases. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the night promises high-energy runway performances, fantasy hair creations, cutting-edge barbering, and striking fashion presentations. Local and international talents will converge, blending artistry with entertainment for an unforgettable show.

The evening will also honor trailblazers who have made extraordinary contributions to the beauty industry. This year’s Hair Evolution Honourees include:

  • Commenci Duncan-Hanfield, recipient of the Legacy in Beauty & Community Impact Award, recognized for her lasting influence and service.
  • Camille Swann, awarded the Beauty & Influence Trailblazer Award, celebrating her innovative leadership and impact on the industry.
  • Fior Rivas, recipient of the Outstanding Service & Industry Impact Award, for her dedication to advancing the beauty profession.
  • Dr. Kym Stubbs, honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Beauty & Education Award, for decades of excellence as a cosmetologist and educator.
  • Kareem Higgs, receiving the Barbering Legacy & Trailblazer Award, recognizing his contributions to elevating barbering within the community.

Founder and Executive Director Natasha Bien-Aimé expressed her excitement about the show’s return, emphasizing its role as more than entertainment. “Hair Evolution is about celebrating artistry, but also about education, empowerment, and building opportunities for the next generation,” she said.

With its dynamic blend of education, fashion, and recognition, Hair Evolution 2025 promises to inspire, entertain, and uplift. Tickets are available now, with limited space for attendees eager to witness the Caribbean’s premier beauty showcase.

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