Mom asks for prayers for daughter's Turks and Caicos arrest for 2 rounds of ammo in luggage, 5th American facing 12 years in prison

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A U.S. citizen is facing up to 12 years in prison after she was arrested in Turks and Caicos for having stray ammunition in her luggage. The mother of the detained American is speaking out and asking others to pray for her daughter – who was arrested on the Caribbean island for allegedly having two rounds of ammo in her luggage.

Sharitta Shinise Grier – a 45-year-old woman from Orlando, Florida – is currently being detained in Turks and Caicos. Grier was on vacation on the Caribbean island and attempted to fly back to Florida on Monday.

However, two rounds of ammunition were reportedly discovered in her luggage during a routine security search at the Howard Hamilton International Airport, according to the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police.

Grier was arrested and charged with one count of ammunition possession.

Turks and Caicos has strict gun control laws.

Last month, the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas issued an emergency advisory to Americans regarding bringing ammo to Turks and Caicos.

"If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands], even inadvertently, we will not be able to secure your release from custody," the advisory states. "You are subject to TCI laws and must follow local law enforcement procedures."

The advisory comes after several Americans were detained in Turks and Caicos for having stray ammunition in their luggage.

Grier is the fifth American to have been arrested and detained in Turks and Caicos after being caught with ammo in an airport since February. The other U.S. citizens are Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Tyler Wenrich of Virginia, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, and Michael Lee Evans of Texas.

As Blaze News previously reported, Watson was arrested in April after authorities discovered four rounds of ammo in his luggage. Watson said the ammunition was "unknowingly left in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip." He also contended that he had been subjected to "terrifying interrogation" and exorbitant living fees after his arrest.

The five Americans face up to 12 years in a Turks and Caicos prison because of the Caribbean country's strict firearm laws.

Last week, three U.S. governors this week sent a joint letter to the governor of Turks and Caicos to request mercy on the five Americans arrested after bringing ammo to the island.

The governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oklahoma wrote: "Like thousands of Americans each year, these individuals traveled to your beautiful territory for leisure. We humbly ask that your government – in its wisdom – temper justice with mercy and recognize that these men made mistakes but had no apparent malicious intents."

Chanchy Willis, Grier's cousin, said Grier moved into a rental property on the island with the other detained Americans after posting bail.

"Watching the others and how they are close-knit, and reaching out to her, showing her that she's not alone, they are all in this together, that brings joy to my heart," Willis told WOFL.

Willis added, "Whew. Just for two bullets? It was just a horrible mistake for all five."

Willie Lucas, the mother of Grier, is asking others to pray for her daughter.

"Be safe when you go out of town. Just be safe. Be careful and keep us in your prayers, cause God knows we sure gonna need it," Lucas told the news outlet.

Grier is scheduled to appear in court on July 5.

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'Terrifying' interrogation': American faces 12 years in Turks and Caicos prison after 4 rounds of hunting ammo found in his luggage

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An American man's dream vacation has turned into a nightmare. He is now facing 12 years in a Turks and Caicos prison after four rounds of hunting ammunition were found in his luggage.

Ryan Watson, 40, was looking for rest and relaxation when he went on a tropical vacation with his wife to the Caribbean island of Turks and Caicos. However, Watson said that he had been subjected to "terrifying interrogation" and exorbitant living fees after Turks and Caicos authorities discovered four rounds of hunting ammo in his luggage.

Watson and his wife traveled to Turks and Caicos in early April to celebrate friends' 40th birthdays. On April 12, security at the Howard Hamilton International Airport found four rounds of ammo "unknowingly left in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip," according to a GoFundMe post made on behalf of the family.

The couple – from Oklahoma – were able to get through security with the ammo at their local Will Rogers World Airport. The TSA is currently reviewing protocols at Will Rogers World Airport to determine how the ammunition was able to sneak through security.

"TSA is conducting a review at OKC, which was the originating airport," the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.

Ryan and Valerie Watson were both charged with possession of ammunition – a charge that carries a minimum of 12 years in prison in Turks & Caicos.

Watson told the Daily Mail that he and his wife were subjected to a "terrifying interrogation" after their arrest. He added, "It was all pretty intimidating."

Valerie told WBTS-TV, "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified because I was like, we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home. And this is such an innocent mistake that we didn't even know we weren't – we didn't even know it was there. So yeah, my immediate thought was our kids and them being, you know, parentless for, for that long."

Ultimately, the charges were dropped against Valerie Watson – an elementary school teacher. She has since returned to Oklahoma to be with her children.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt – a Republican – sent a letter to the Turks and Caicos Islands government in an attempt to "vouch" for Watson and have him released.

"The Watsons are upstanding members of their community and the State of Oklahoma, and I can assure you countless others stand willing to confirm their high moral characters," Stitt wrote.

"First and foremost, the Watsons are devoted parents," Stitt said. "Their two young children, Van and Ellie, need their parents home without delay. Mr. and Mrs. Watson would never intentionally break the law. Again, they are unwavering in moral character, reliable neighbors, and devoted community members."

Stitt concluded, "Like many in Oklahoma, Mr. Watson is an avid outdoorsman. We learn to safely use and transport firearms from a young age. To the extent Mr. Watson possessed ammunition, it would have been due to an inadvertent oversight, not an intentional attempt to break the law. The Watsons are great Oklahomans, and their children and community need them home soon."

After spending nearly two weeks in detention, Watson paid a $15,000 bond to be released from jail, according to the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force. His release has conditions, including surrendering his passport and not being able to leave the country. He also must check in with local authorities.

Forced to reside in Turks and Caicos has been costly for Watson.

Watson has reportedly been staying at a $500-a-night AirBnB with the financial assistance help of his in-laws.

At the time of publication, the GoFundMe campaign had raised nearly $210,000 for the Watson family to assist him with legal fees and provide money for his living expenses.

Watson's next court appearance is scheduled for June 7.

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American woman reportedly brutally beaten by growling, 'pure evil,' fake taxi driver on Caribbean island: 'I fought for my life'

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An American woman vacationing on a Caribbean island was brutally beaten by a man claiming to be a taxi driver, according to authorities.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said 29-year-old Davidson Martin was charged with one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Suyapa Ramos, from New Jersey, went on a vacation on the Caribbean island of Turks and Caicos this month.

Ramos was enjoying her vacation — visiting pristine beaches and dancing.

On the evening of March 10, Ramos attempted to take a taxi cab back to her hotel from a bar.

Ramos noted, "I believe after 10 they don't run, and that was something I found out the hard way. I trusted someone who said they were a taxi."

Apparently, the man who offered to drive Ramos back to the hotel was not a legitimate taxi driver.

Ramos said that people at the bar seemed to know the alleged taxi cab driver.

Suddenly, the alleged taxi driver began attacking her during the drive.

"That was the scariest thing I had to encounter to come face to face with evil. Pure evil," Ramos told WABC-TV.

"While he was beating me, he was growling at me, he was trying to poke my eye out," Ramos said.

Thankfully, Ramos was able to break free from the brutal attack.

However, Ramos suffered a major injury and lost vision in her left eye.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force noted, "Based on the information received and interviews conducted, Mr. Martin is alleged to have attacked the female victim."

Ramos said, "I fought for my life. It was so scary to feel yourself so close to death."

"It wasn't just a woman, it was a mom, a daughter, a grandmother, a sister, a friend and an American tourist," Ramos added.

The suspect reportedly stole the victim's cell phone.

Martin's bail was set at $10,000. He is scheduled to appear in court in May.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory about Turks and Caicos in July.

The Department of State warned: "Exercise increased caution in the Turks and Caicos Islands due to crime."

The warning advises Americans not to walk alone at night and "do not physically resist any robbery attempt."

Ramos warned other Americans, "Be careful where you travel to because paradise can turn into a nightmare for anyone but especially a woman and tourists."

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20 people, including 2 children, found dead on a drifting boat off the coast of Turks and Caicos



A boat carrying 20 deceased people — including two children — was found drifting off the coast of Grand Turk island on Thursday morning.

Officials are still working to determine what happened but have ruled out foul play, and according to the Associated Press, authorities are working to determine the identities and home origin of the dead.

What are the details?

Area fisherman spotted what they said was a small boat in the early hours of Thursday morning and notified the Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force.

Police Commissioner Trevor Botting said that the vessel was towed ashore and that the boat appeared to originate from outside the Caribbean. Botting added that investigators do not believe that Turks and Caicos was the vessel's final destination.

"My investigators are working to establish their identities and how they met their death," Botting said in a statement. "This work will take some time to complete. Whatever the circumstances, this is a tragic situation where many people have lost their lives, and the thoughts and prayers of the Force go out to t hose families who have lost a loved one."

"This incident was a human tragedy and a very distressing scene," Botting added.

According to the news agency, the islands are often a "magnet for desperate Haitians seeking to flee that poverty-stricken nation" and pointed out that the territory has also been used as a "transshipment point by human traffickers."

It is not clear at the time of this reporting whether the vessel began its ill-fated trip in Haiti.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said that "investigators are keeping an open mind as to how these people met their deaths."

Botting in the statement added, "In dealing with this situation, I want to pay tribute to my policing team on Grand Turk and those from Health and other TCIG agencies who assisted in the recovery of the bodies."

Further to a Press Release issued on Thursday, June 24th, 2021, the Royal Turk and Caicos Islands Police Force confirms that the human remains of 20 persons were recovered from the vessel yesterday. Work is now underway to establish their identity, the cause of death and the circumstances that led them to be found in the Turks and Caicos Islands waters.

Whilst the deaths are unexplained, there is no indication of foul play, and Investigators are keeping an open mind as to how these people met their deaths.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said, "It is believed that the boat originates from outside of the Caribbean Region and that neither the Turks and Caicos Islands nor the Region was their intended destination. My investigators are working to establish their identities and how they met their death. This work will take some time to complete. Whatever the circumstances, this is a tragic situation where many people have lost their lives, and the thoughts and prayers of the Force go out to those families who have lost a loved one. We will do all we can to identify them and contact their families."

Commissioner Botting added, "In dealing with this situation, I want to pay tribute to my policing team on Grand Turk and those from Health and other TCIG agencies who assisted in the recovery of the bodies. This incident was a human tragedy and a very distressing scene. However, my officers have acted with professionalism, humanity and care in the very upsetting work they did yesterday to recover those who have died. I thank them for a job well done for the humanity and professionalism they have shown."