US tourist tells story with NBC10 Boston – NBC Boston

In his first interview since his arrest on April 20, Tyler Wenrich tells his story of being arrested and detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands on charges of possession of ammunition.

“I can barely understand it anymore, and I live in it. You know, it's hard. It's hard to believe it's happening. And it’s definitely a nightmare,” Wenrich told NBC10 Boston’s Leslie Gaydos.

The 31-year-old has been on Grand Turk Island since his arrest more than two weeks ago after two 9mm cartridges were found in his bag as he tried to return aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship following a trip to the beach.

“I used to use this bag to go to the shooting range with friends and carry my firearm. So it was like, you know, I checked it before I left and it was just a complete oversight on my part. TSA and port security, you know, three groups missed this munitions,” Wenrich said.

Following our series of reports about Americans detained in the Turks and Caicos Islands for ammunition possession, U.S. officials say they will first investigate how the ammunition made it through airport checkpoints in the first place.

Wenrich posted bail pending a court hearing last week. He told Gaydos that Royal Caribbean security had turned him over to Turks and Caicos authorities. NBC10 Boston reached out to Royal Caribbean about the incident and did not receive a response.

“I spent about three nights in jail and then moved to jail for about nine nights. “It was extremely difficult,” said Wenrich. “The conditions were difficult, but the people were phenomenal, which helped.”

“It was still a very difficult situation,” said Wenrich. “It’s definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through.”

Wenrich is a paramedic and said it has been hard being away from his wife and 1 1/2-year-old son, who live back in Virginia.

“They're not doing well. “You know, my son is having trouble sleeping that night… something’s wrong,” Wenrich shared. “He’s old enough to know something’s wrong, and my wife is trying to do her best.”

Wenrich said that while his wife had a strong support system, it was difficult to have him live in uncertainty thousands of miles away.

Wenrich now lives on the island with his father while his case is heard in court. He said the situation has taken an emotional and financial toll.

“Tens of thousands of dollars we're dealing with here and the legal fees we're dealing with here,” he explained.

He and his family have set up a crowdfunding website to cover legal fees and expenses while he awaits his fate.

Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania and Ryan Watson of Oklahoma both pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition after bullets were found in their bags as they tried to fly home after vacationing on the island earlier this year. Hagerich will be sentenced on May 29 and Watson will be in court next month. NBC10 Boston was the first to break the story of her incarceration.

U.S. officials apologize to the family of Michael Grimm, who is charged with violating the Turks and Caicos Islands' ammunition possession law, for the way they handled the case and communicated with his mother.

The TSA opened an investigation after our story aired. She confirmed that she had conducted a screening of the airport from which Watson departed and issued a statement saying, “TSA takes its security mission very seriously.” TSA can confirm that at security checkpoint at Will Rogers World Airport (OKC), the departure airport, no four rounds of ammunition were discovered in the traveler’s bag.”

“TSA is here to protect our transportation security systems and an oversight has occurred that the agency is addressing internally.” They confirmed it

A fourth American, Michael Evans, was arrested in December and pleaded guilty to possession of seven rounds of ammunition, according to police. He is out on bail in the US and will be sentenced on June 18. All men face a possible 12 years in prison under TCI's Firearms and Ammunition Act, but judges can consider exceptional circumstances.

The Attorney General of Turks and Caicos and the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a statement last month saying that the islands' firearms regulation “requires the Supreme Court to impose a mandatory minimum sentence and fine for certain firearms offenses unless: the court determines this there.” are exceptional circumstances…”

The statement added that there have been five separate cases in two years in which the Supreme Court of the Islands has found exceptional circumstances. Four of the perpetrators were fined and one was given a prison sentence below the prescribed minimum.

Michael Grim of Indiana was arrested last August for ammunition possession and sentenced to eight months in prison.

It's a scary wait, but Wenrich said he's grateful for all the support he's received.

“It's overwhelming. I am surprised and grateful at how many people and organizations have supported us all,” said Wenrich. “My boss and my work have been phenomenal and they've helped us so much through this and I just can't thank people enough for spreading the word, supporting us and praying that we get through this.”

Wenrich said, “I'm just trying to lean on my faith and pray, and I'm grateful for the support system we have.”

“I hope for the best outcome for everyone… it is an unimaginable situation we are in and we are all trying to get through it day by day.”

Separate from their cases, there have been a number of bomb threats in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Police Commissioner of the Royal TCI Police Force issued a statement regarding a series of bomb threats against officers and the island's two airports in recent weeks. They said no devices were found and asked the public for information about the hoaxes.

Since then, there have been a number of social media posts making claims that the threats were linked to the American tourists, prompting Hagerich and Watson to issue a statement:

“We condemn recent threats against Turks and Caicos Islands officials and locations, including airports and schools. We have nothing to do with them and hope that the authorities bring the perpetrators to justice. Our families use Turks and Caicos airports, we are parents of young children and we take the safety of TCI and all passengers seriously.”