Orlando Woman leaves TCI, pays $1,500 fine for two bullets found in Luggage

Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal

#TurksandCaicos, July 19, 2024 – Thursday, July 11th, 2024, the last of five American tourists arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) for being in unlawful possession of ammunition was expected to leave the island on Thursday July 11, following her sentencing.

Sharitta Grier, 46 pleaded guilty since June 25, to having two rounds of .38 caliber ammunition in her bag, at the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales on Monday May 13th, 2024.  Grier was leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands after a surprise gift of a Mother’s Day vacation from her daughters.

Her Ladyship The Hon. Ms. Tanya Lobban-Jackson agreed with senior defense counsel, Ms. Sheena Mair that there were exceptional circumstances in Grier’s case, by this, the Court departed from the mandatory minimum sentence of twelve years imprisonment and ordered a lighter sentence of $1,500.00 or six months imprisonment if the fine was not paid.

The Orlando resident also faced a 23 week suspended sentence of imprisonment.  It is suspended for one year.

Holding for the office of the Director of Public Prosecution via link was Dr. Angela Terry Brooks, deputy director of the DPP’S office.