January 1, Oklahoma Father Faces 12 Years in Prison Over Ammunition Found in Bag at Airport

An Oklahoma man could face 12 years in prison after authorities found ammunition in his carry-on bag at a Turks and Caicos airport. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family.

Ryan and Valerie Watson, parents of two young children, were arrested on April 12 as they were flying home from vacation. Airport security found four rounds of ammunition in a duffle bag from a previous deer hunting trip, according to the GoFundMe page.

In September 2023, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a travel alert. The alert warned Americans not to bring ammunition to the islands, stating that the penalty is a minimum 12-year custodial sentence.

The Watsons claim it was a terrible mistake. Valerie was released from jail, while her husband remains in custody with no current bail or trial date. The family has urged supporters not to contact Turks and Caicos government officials.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed Ryan Watson’s arrest. He was charged with one count of ammunition possession and granted $15,000 bail under specific conditions. These include not traveling outside the islands without court permission and reporting to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ryan is scheduled for a “sufficiency” hearing on June 7. In the meantime, the couple faces mounting legal fees, living expenses, and stress due to their situation, as stated on their GoFundMe page.

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