Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
CBS DFW
American arrested over ammo in Turks and Caicos gets suspended sentence
By Alex Sundby,
5 days ago
Another American who was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands in recent months for possessing ammunition was given a suspended sentence of 33 weeks in prison Monday, the court confirmed to CBS News. Michael Lee Evans of Texas had pleaded guilty and potentially faced prison time over seven 9 mm rounds that were found in his luggage when he visited the British territory late last year.
Evans, who is terminally ill, was allowed to return to the U.S. while he was out on bail, local news outlet Magnetic Media reported . He attended Monday's hearing from Texas via video link.
He was arrested in December when the ammunition was found in his luggage at the airport as he was trying to leave the islands after he and his wife renewed their vows, according to Magnetic Media .
Four other Americans who faced similar charges have had to stay on the islands as their cases made their way through the Turks and Caicos legal system.
Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania received a suspended sentence last month and a $6,700 fine for possessing 20 rifle rounds that were found in his checked bag on a family vacation. Tyler Wenrich of Virginia was sentenced to time served and a $9,000 fine also in May over two 9 mm rounds that were found in his backpack as he was trying to board a cruise ship.
The three men have since returned to the U.S. They had faced potential mandatory minimum sentences of 12 years in prison, but the courts found that there were exceptional circumstances in their cases, which resulted in lighter punishments for the Americans.
Amid calls from members of the U.S. Congress to show leniency to the Americans, island lawmakers removed the mandatory minimum sentence for firearms offenses, according to local news outlet The Sun . Now judges can decide whether sentences should be prison time, a fine or both.
Alvin Hegner, a co-chairman of the islands' tourism agency, told CBS News the 12-year sentence was intended to address a surge in crime a few years ago.
"Am I happy that it's tweaked now? Yes," Hegner told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave in a recent interview. "… Sometimes, you know, everything doesn't go as planned, but we are receptive to new ideas, we are receptive to changing policies that, you know, that continue to make everyone feel safe."
Florida grandmother Sharitta Grier is expected in court Tuesday for a sentencing hearing. She was arrested in May after two bullets were allegedly found in her carry-on bag when she was going home from a surprise Mother's Day vacation.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0