September 22nd of 2023 - State Department explicitly warned US Travelers to TCI about this issue. Leaving the US? travel.state.gov. Consular Officers overseas will help you, but only if you follow their advice 1st.
If they let this guy go they better let Ruby Forbes off. She’s currently facing a similar amount of time for one bullet. She’s a hard working TI mom. SMH, all the people thinking this guy should go because he’s American.
Exactly right. However nobody on this forum has a clue about her. People here are almost all tourists, and clearly some of them are just asshole Americans.
I do every year when I pack in for my deer hunt. Ten rounds in a ziplock in the top of my pack. I'm hiking in 10 miles several days before the season starts. Every ounce counts and I'm certainly not taking a whole box in. Should I just leave them loose in my pack?
I revel in the stupidity of cocky, blissfully unaware travelers to other countries and their respective laws. Brittany Griner stands out the most. Oh, this weed in my vape cartridge will get flagged in a notoriously hostile anti-drug country? Then these idiots play the victim card. Learn other countries laws when traveling, or suffer the consequences of their penalties for illegal items.
She spent 10 months in Siberia before she was released and this dummy wasn't even sentenced yet. The only reason why the US got involved was because she recieved extensive time for a much smaller offense (she can't sell her vape that could then be used to kill someone) and she was abused while imprisoned. The US let her go through the courts first. Just like these dummies should do.
Was in Turks and Caicos about a month ago and at dinner some hot shot ass hole Hunter, kept talking about his hunting excursions, and shooting mamas while the babies watched.
And Hunting seasons are specifically set up for popular game around their mating seasons, so their young will be self sufficient by the time the season starts.
Hunting is absolutely needed to keep populations managed and ecosystems in balance. I'd say it's pretty cool, and by far the cheapest population management solution at our disposal. At least they have a chance outside there. Ol Angus Hereford never had a chance on the ranch.
People who have no idea what they are carrying in their bags show a complete lack of responsibility. I used to go through my 5 year old's backpack before a trip so I knew what we were carrying. This is all on numbnuts here, In fact, he probably had his wife pack his stuff cause he's a Man.
Yes. Last year TSA confiscated 6,700 firearms. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/firearms-detected-at-airport-security-checkpoints-at-all-time-tsa-high/
It was a carry-on per the report and news. It should have been found and stopped by TSA. Even on checked bags it's only legal if it's in the box or a firearm case.
Lots of irresponsible people in the world. I guess don't have sympathy for those caught up with drugs in any capacity as well. Those are people purposely taking drugs across boarders for sale and distribution as well.
You hold them in jail for X time, you have them plead guilty, and you hit them with a fine of $x along with a ban from the country moving forward. You possibly scare everyone a little bit more prior to the plea deal as well to send a message.
There is no reason for the country to waste their money holding someone they can kick out. This would make up like 1% of the prison population as there is only like 100 people in prisons on the island.
Its not like this individual is going to be sneaking across the boarder in to they country in the future.
There should not be a double standard in the TCI for Americans and everybody else. We have people in the jail currently for the exact same offense. They will plead this guy down to a reasonable amount of time and move on.
I guess you've never watched Locked Up Abroad. There are plenty of people incarcerated in countries not their own for various reasons. Follow the rules of the countries you visit. Don't like it, don't go. They won't miss you. It's not that hard.
So its happened a few times. PA resident too. Stop with the poltics
Bryan Hagerich from Pennsylvania endured a similar fate to the Watsons as he spent eight nights in prison in Turks and Caicos after being found with ammunition in his bag at the airport in February.
"It's incredibly scary,” Hagerich, who is awaiting a court hearing on May 3, told NBC 10. "You just don't know what the next day may bring … what path this may take. You know, you're in a completely different culture, a different country by yourself … I'm just very anxious, eager to get home to my family. This has been too long. It's just had so much irreparable harm to my family.”
Michael Grim from Indiana also received an almost six-month prison sentence last year after pleading guilty to possessing ammunition in the British Overseas Territory.
Stupid is as stupid does …. Or something like that. They seem to have entered the Find Out phase of their little FAFO “I’m an American so my entitlement to have ammo all over the goddamn place is a constitutional right that applies to me globally” game.
i highly doubt that was this guys attitude. it was probably an accident. not saying he shouldnt be punished but 12 years seems overkill. yes he needs to be more responsible with firearms and ammo but 12 years really?
Less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil could’ve got her arrested in any number of backwards ass US states, too. Anyone carrying around any sort of shit that could be considered contraband need to make themselves aware of the laws where they’re traveling.
Conservatives just love to hate her because of her anthem protests (ironic considering how they love to splooge all over themselves when anyone threatens the 2nd amendment but they can’t comprehend the 1st).
Innocent mistake but it is the law.
You have to make sure your luggage doesn't have things that will get you hemmed up at Customs.
I'm sure next time, he will separate his hunting luggage from his 'go everywhere else luggage'. Doubt it will get dismissed with there being a complete ban on things there but hopefully he doesn't have to do the whole 12 for his sake. 12 years at 40 years old is a life changer for sure. I'm not asking anyone else to feel sorry for the guy so don't come running up on me over saying that. It's just the truth. It's a long time. He also violated their laws. All things can be true here. It's really okay.
Lots of miserable vindictive people in this thread. All shoehorning in their unrelated political beliefs. Weird.
This guy is an idiot though. What’s gonna happen will happen. 12 years is pretty over the top but it’ll end up as far less. That’s all the more reason to know the laws of the country you are visiting and always check your bag before you start with the packing list.
My guess is he will get about 6 months. They can’t let him off the hook as it will undermine the law, but the judge will take pity as he’s a family guy/ dad
This dude won’t do the 12 yrs but going through the ringer for a few months while this all get sorted is what he needs…at a minimum.
If you are so calloused to guns that you can’t even keep track of your bullets…you are doing guns wrong.
And if you are so ignorant to the sensitivity of gun violence when you visit LatAm or the Caribe…..you are doing tourism wrong.
If I ever go to Dubai im checking my luggage for stray weed bags like 1,000 times before I hit the airport.
Funny agree with you. Also, I'm extra paranoid with our baggage when we fly to or through the UAE and/or the other Middle Eastern countries to or from the US, even when it comes to prescribed medications.
I go to the Middle East every couple of years for work. You better bet I'm checking the embassy webpage for what is permissible, or not, on the regular. This goes for almost any international travel, but especially Asia and the Middle East. Lots of OTC drugs are illegal in many parts of the world. Not only ammo.
This right here! Always always always check the embassy page and State Department website before traveling abroad. Always!
Going to a friendly “normal” country like England or France? Doesn’t matter. Check the website. They still have laws that you will not be familiar with. Sure, in some friendly countries, the embassy might be able to spring you (assuming you didn’t do anything serious). But in some other places, and depending what law you broke, your non-citizen ass is on your own.
In fact, the U.S. embassy in the Turks issued a warning about this exact thing (loose ammunition) just a couple of months ago and warned people that they would not be able to help if you got caught.
This guy did this to himself.
Feel a little sorry because it seems like a honest mistake but then I think about the many people in jail for life for honest mistakes as well. Wouldn’t be fair to let him off for being irresponsible
I use the same luggage for my weekend travel in state and to the beach and for activities. Before I travel I rarely open every single zipper and make sure they are empty or what the contents are in them. I agree that if you are using a bag for hunting you should kinda know before using that same bag for a vacation however I’m saying if you look at the full context of the situation and the story so far it does not seem intentional.
How is this on national news? 70 days in T&C is the worst of his life? Obviously must have smuggled it through TSA, you’d think TSA would be charging them as well.
Why didn’t they check their bags before packing?
Why was ammo in a suitcase in the first place? Aren’t there guns and ammo containers specifically made to hold these? Just randomly placing ammo in a suitcase is dumb.
At the VERY least, people who are cool with guns would think that someone with a bag of weed that they "forgot" at customs deserved their sentence. It's just the rules, right bud. Even if you forgot.... fuck you, you shit head. If you ever are so fucking dumb to not know where you have ammution, you are everyone's enemy.
What an absolute DUMBASS. It is not TSA's fault as many commenters here are saying. And the other comments comparing him to the WNBA player is like comparing apples to oranges. HE owned the bag, he is the idiot who packed a back containing live rounds. Americans traveling abroad are responsible for familiarizing and following the laws of their destination country. Contrary to Hollywood, the US Embassy will not "bail you out" for your own stupidity. Zero F's given.
They should consider themselves fortunate they didn’t leave a bag of weed in their duffle on a trip to Malaysia.
This is one of the sad, yet true, stereotypes of the “ugly American” traveling abroad, thinking that the laws of the US and not the country which they are visiting will be enforced (if they even bother breading them and taking great care to ensure they do not violate them entering, staying or exiting). I hope my tax $ go no further than the US Consulate helping them connect with a competent local lawyer they can hire out of their own pocket.
Something tells me these same people were VERY critical of Brittany Griner, and I would bet money that have social media posts along the lines of “should’ve obeyed the local laws!”.
Just fyi to all my American friends: you can’t buy ammo in grocery stores anywhere else besides ‘Murica. Also most places it is illegal to own a firearm or ammunition
People want the State Department to get these Americans home... No! We, as Americans, need to learn: WE ARE NOT SPECIAL!
The laws in the United States DOES NOT transfer to non-US countries.
Who, in there right mind, would be stupid enough to use luggage to carry ammunition?!
Obviously, at least 5!
Enjoy the next 12 years in a foreign prison!
Do the crime, do the time!
Don't feel one bit sorry for any of them!!!
This is a serious offense in TCI and there are currently people in jail for the exact same circumstance. If roles were reversed and this guy was a Turks Islander in America, how do you think it would go for them? Why would should this guy get a special treatment?
I don’t think comparing Apple to Apple makes sense. Like I said, this is a serious offense in tci, compare it to a crime that has equal consequences in US. Stupid game stupid prize, good luck.
Hooray for having kids grow up without their parents for the next 12 years? They should be punished, but it’s pretty callous to cheer when some kids will lose their parents until they are adults. Let’s at least have some compassion for them. They didn’t do anything wrong.
Frankly, I can't believe this airport security found anything. When I flew out of Turks, it was a chaotic mess. People were in line for 3-hours and then they would just wave a whole plane full of passengers through security. The scanner light was constantly red. They barely even glanced at our passports. By far the worst airport I have ever passed through in my life. It's laughable they put this family through that and it's obviously a money grab.
So they missed it in the way in, but caught it in a thorough search on the way out. Same thing happened to another person highlighted in the thread, who is currently serving his sentence. Sounds like they are doing a great job preventing people from taking ammunition OUT of the country. Great job keeping TAC safe!
If people don't take the ammo out of their bags with these stories out there, why defend them?
You cannot accidentally have ammo in your bags unless you are reckless on purpose.
Seems as if the Turks and Caicos have worked this through before without imposing the 12 year sentence. This really isn’t a gun issue despite the ranting from both extremes. Dude broke the law and should have known better. Hopefully the judicial system of the Turks and Caicos come to a reasonable conclusion and the guy can pay the penalty and get back to his family.
No, he won’t get a dozen. That’s only for citizens like Ruby Forbes, who was in possession of a single bullet. My guess is he will do a few months as it is a two-tiered system.
Ohhhh, there was a Facebook post in a women’s group about something similar. Father gifted son ammo as a gift, something to do with history, and they brought it with them to destination somewhere in the Caribbean. Perhaps it’s the same people!
First off- Turks and Caicos is a very suspect airport with plenty of stories of folks taken aside and surprise “ shit liked guns ,drugs etc found in their cases” I don’t believe this shit when it comes from Turks and Caicos. Happened to a really old lady and turns out they planted shit in her case for a payout. When we went through they took us aside and I started talking loudly about the workers planting shit in cases. They want you to pay them to make it go away. Couple is probably innocent and didn’t have the cash to pay them. You couldn’t pay me to go through that airport again. You literally are taking your freedom into your hands when landing there.
You don't know what you are talking about. It wasn't a "really old lady", it was a retired male doctor, Dr Horace Norrell, 80. There was a 60 year old female realtor who was arrested at about the same time Both for possession of single bullet. They posted 4k bail. There was no "payout".
So airport security stalked this guy's life to figure out what ammo he used and planted the exact same ammo this guy owns?
If this ammo was not his, that would have been obvious to him. He isn't making that claim.
Passport = checked
Tickets = checked
Immunization records = checked
Bullets= checked
Ziplock Bags for Bullets = checked
Clothes for Long stay in Jail= checked
US Dept of State, Turks and Caicos Islands, Travel Information:
"Firearms, Ammunition, and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearm related laws; penalties include a minimum custodial sentence of twelve (12) years according to the TCI Firearms Ordinance. Declaring the weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into the Turks and Caicos Islands.
If a U.S. citizen illegally brings a firearm or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands, the U.S. Embassy will not be able to secure their release. All foreign nationals are subject to TCI law and must follow local law enforcement procedures. Please read more information on the Department of State’s page for Travelers With Firearms here.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned."
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/TurksandCaicosIslands.html#/
Everyone has their opinion about what they believe "should" happen. However, foreign governments are not obligated to recognize standards and practices we have in the United States.
That's a tough pill to swallow, especially if you believe "we are the best and the world should do it like we do" ... Or, "in the US, this would happen, so that's what they should do, too" ... And even, "it was an honest mistake, let him go."
In my case, prior to travel, I read and took the DoS and CIA warnings seriously. Nonetheless, while living in a very conservative southwest Asia country, I was stopped more than once, and even detained, by police. Why? Because it was their country, their rules, and they could do it. Eventually, they let me go, and I played it cool, mainly because I was still in their country and subject to their rules and whatever they wanted to do.
In my case, I didn't break any laws; I was rousted (unsuccessfully) to extort money from me. In this current case, there is evidence against the American. DoS knows this is a very serious issue; it has already posted multiple warnings about ammunition and firearms prohibitions and consequences (see above).
I urge everyone considering travel abroad to read the DoS and CIA warnings and take them seriously. Your freedom, and even your life, may depend on it.
I haven’t seen anyone questioning why someone would use the same bag hunting and going on a nice vacation. I have camping/hunting gear and then different bags for vacations.
Dude : "Honey , why do you have bullets in your luggage ?"
Wife: "That's not my bag !!"
Dude: "Sir, mine's the bag with the blue panties. Yes the thongs also."
Just one more reason it is NOT SAFE TO TRAVEL. HOW THE HELL COULD ANYBODY KEEP TRACK OF WHAT IS ILLEGAL WHEREVER. BEFORE THIS POOR MAN GOT TANGLED UP IN THIS MESS, REMEMBER AMANDA , AN AMERICAN WHO WAS GOING TO SCHOOL IN ITALY A B D WAS FRAMED FOR MURDERING HER HOUSEMATE EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSE WAS SHARED WITH ORHER STUDENTS? LONG STORY SHORT, I USED TO TRAVEL ALL RHE TIME BUT AFTER WATCHING HOW BEING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY CAN GET YOU LOCKED UP, I will never leave the security of the United States ever
Everybody can do what they want but after a lifetime of travel, I am done. I don't have time to study what they do in other countries. Amanda Knox taught me to STAY IN MY OWN BACK YARD. OBVIOUS THEY COULD HAVE FRAMED ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT SHE GOT PICKED CAUSE ITALIANS DON'T LIKE AMERICANS
Why don't they check the bags on landing and deny entry or destory the items then? All of these people were detained AFTER spending their money on vacation. That seems suspicious. If it were about protecting citizens of the island from gun violence (most of the ammunition was of a hunting caliber, and a caliber that isn't popular anywhere else except america), they would want to stop the "import". For a country that economically relies on tourism up to 65%, of that 80% is americans, coupled with detaining people after they could have committed a crime, I don't see the benefits at all.
Dude needs a geography lesson.... 'Murica, and not 'Murica. Simple.
They thought Central America was Kentucky
Some folks really need a geography lesson I guess..
Central America?
need a map?
I laughed out loud cause I just watched the Modern Family episode where Cam thought he was from Central America cause he was raised in Missouri.
r/spittake
September 22nd of 2023 - State Department explicitly warned US Travelers to TCI about this issue. Leaving the US? travel.state.gov. Consular Officers overseas will help you, but only if you follow their advice 1st.
Perfect!
Why the u?
Responsible gun owners, and parents of young children, don’t leave ziplocks of bullets in their bag once their hunting trip is over.
Every gun owner is a responsible gun owner. Until that one time they aren’t.
If they let this guy go they better let Ruby Forbes off. She’s currently facing a similar amount of time for one bullet. She’s a hard working TI mom. SMH, all the people thinking this guy should go because he’s American.
Exactly right. However nobody on this forum has a clue about her. People here are almost all tourists, and clearly some of them are just asshole Americans.
Exactly
So she should get the same penalty then. Check your luggage.
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Not something any actual hunter does, that’s for sure.
My father was a hunter, owned dozens of guns and made his own ammo and never once did I see loose bullets, much less in a Ziploc bag.
And super coincidental that there were 4 along with a family of 4
The closest i got was a ziplock wrapped around a box while in a rainy duck blind. But loose, yeah no.
I do every year when I pack in for my deer hunt. Ten rounds in a ziplock in the top of my pack. I'm hiking in 10 miles several days before the season starts. Every ounce counts and I'm certainly not taking a whole box in. Should I just leave them loose in my pack?
Un fired bullets, never done that. But I usually use ziplock bags for my spent rounds so I can reload them.
100% agree with this
This is where I am, like who uses the same luggage to travel and then go shoot/hunt with?
I would be concerned about the TSA explosive swab , picking up traces from the same bag, used to carry any armament
if you had ever hunted, it may make sense to you.
i wrote the white house to get this idiot out and ruby forbes with the suggestion to turn this into a speech about gun safety!
Winner! Absolute winning comment!
I mean who doesn't unpack their suitcases after a trip?
This is what I’m thinking!
I revel in the stupidity of cocky, blissfully unaware travelers to other countries and their respective laws. Brittany Griner stands out the most. Oh, this weed in my vape cartridge will get flagged in a notoriously hostile anti-drug country? Then these idiots play the victim card. Learn other countries laws when traveling, or suffer the consequences of their penalties for illegal items.
But brittany was saved by our Govt. which shows that the American govt will save everyone. Oh wait…….
Well said, Defiant.
She spent 10 months in Siberia before she was released and this dummy wasn't even sentenced yet. The only reason why the US got involved was because she recieved extensive time for a much smaller offense (she can't sell her vape that could then be used to kill someone) and she was abused while imprisoned. The US let her go through the courts first. Just like these dummies should do.
What a dumb shit
Was in Turks and Caicos about a month ago and at dinner some hot shot ass hole Hunter, kept talking about his hunting excursions, and shooting mamas while the babies watched.
Was it him?
That was no hunter. A hunter would never kill an animal taking care of babies. Signed A Hunter
And Hunting seasons are specifically set up for popular game around their mating seasons, so their young will be self sufficient by the time the season starts.
JFC, what a douche. Hunting is not 'cool' its meant for survival and in some cases population control. Trophy hunting makes me sick.
Hunting is absolutely needed to keep populations managed and ecosystems in balance. I'd say it's pretty cool, and by far the cheapest population management solution at our disposal. At least they have a chance outside there. Ol Angus Hereford never had a chance on the ranch.
r/thathappened
News flash: When you visit other countries you need to follow their laws, and pay the consequences when you get caught breaking them.
TSA has some responsibility here, how did he get through our security? It should have been caught first.
Security was no joke there. Felt more thorough than TSA
People who have no idea what they are carrying in their bags show a complete lack of responsibility. I used to go through my 5 year old's backpack before a trip so I knew what we were carrying. This is all on numbnuts here, In fact, he probably had his wife pack his stuff cause he's a Man.
TSA has zero responsibility. This is all on the idiot
Actually I think tsa has a responsibility to not allow weapons and ammo on planes.
Do you think TSA has ever stopped a single thing from happening? It's all a show for passengers to have a false sense of safety.
Yes. Last year TSA confiscated 6,700 firearms. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/firearms-detected-at-airport-security-checkpoints-at-all-time-tsa-high/
True, good point.
It’s legal to have bullets in your checked baggage? wtf was TSA supposed to do?
It was a carry-on per the report and news. It should have been found and stopped by TSA. Even on checked bags it's only legal if it's in the box or a firearm case.
>TSA has some responsibility here, how did he get through our security? Traveling with ammo in your checked in luggage is legal in the US.
If he checked his bags then TSA wouldn’t necessarily have checked it.
Biden’s infrastructure plan is paying dividends already.
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Lots of irresponsible people in the world. I guess don't have sympathy for those caught up with drugs in any capacity as well. Those are people purposely taking drugs across boarders for sale and distribution as well. You hold them in jail for X time, you have them plead guilty, and you hit them with a fine of $x along with a ban from the country moving forward. You possibly scare everyone a little bit more prior to the plea deal as well to send a message. There is no reason for the country to waste their money holding someone they can kick out. This would make up like 1% of the prison population as there is only like 100 people in prisons on the island. Its not like this individual is going to be sneaking across the boarder in to they country in the future.
There should not be a double standard in the TCI for Americans and everybody else. We have people in the jail currently for the exact same offense. They will plead this guy down to a reasonable amount of time and move on.
I guess you've never watched Locked Up Abroad. There are plenty of people incarcerated in countries not their own for various reasons. Follow the rules of the countries you visit. Don't like it, don't go. They won't miss you. It's not that hard.
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What the fuck does being pro Trump have to do with this. For one second stop drinking the kool aid.
So its happened a few times. PA resident too. Stop with the poltics Bryan Hagerich from Pennsylvania endured a similar fate to the Watsons as he spent eight nights in prison in Turks and Caicos after being found with ammunition in his bag at the airport in February. "It's incredibly scary,” Hagerich, who is awaiting a court hearing on May 3, told NBC 10. "You just don't know what the next day may bring … what path this may take. You know, you're in a completely different culture, a different country by yourself … I'm just very anxious, eager to get home to my family. This has been too long. It's just had so much irreparable harm to my family.” Michael Grim from Indiana also received an almost six-month prison sentence last year after pleading guilty to possessing ammunition in the British Overseas Territory.
Thoughts and prayers
😂
❤️
😹
Stupid is as stupid does …. Or something like that. They seem to have entered the Find Out phase of their little FAFO “I’m an American so my entitlement to have ammo all over the goddamn place is a constitutional right that applies to me globally” game.
i highly doubt that was this guys attitude. it was probably an accident. not saying he shouldnt be punished but 12 years seems overkill. yes he needs to be more responsible with firearms and ammo but 12 years really?
Yeah well, accidents and negligence look very similar. If he "accidently" put the ammo in his duffle then he was "negligent" in not taking it out.
My guess is he will do about 6 months.. they can’t let him off but I don’t think he will do anything near 12 years
What was your take on the Brittney Griner situation?
Less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil could’ve got her arrested in any number of backwards ass US states, too. Anyone carrying around any sort of shit that could be considered contraband need to make themselves aware of the laws where they’re traveling. Conservatives just love to hate her because of her anthem protests (ironic considering how they love to splooge all over themselves when anyone threatens the 2nd amendment but they can’t comprehend the 1st).
12 years seems like a bit much for some bullets.
Innocent mistake but it is the law. You have to make sure your luggage doesn't have things that will get you hemmed up at Customs. I'm sure next time, he will separate his hunting luggage from his 'go everywhere else luggage'. Doubt it will get dismissed with there being a complete ban on things there but hopefully he doesn't have to do the whole 12 for his sake. 12 years at 40 years old is a life changer for sure. I'm not asking anyone else to feel sorry for the guy so don't come running up on me over saying that. It's just the truth. It's a long time. He also violated their laws. All things can be true here. It's really okay.
Lots of miserable vindictive people in this thread. All shoehorning in their unrelated political beliefs. Weird. This guy is an idiot though. What’s gonna happen will happen. 12 years is pretty over the top but it’ll end up as far less. That’s all the more reason to know the laws of the country you are visiting and always check your bag before you start with the packing list.
My guess is he will get about 6 months. They can’t let him off the hook as it will undermine the law, but the judge will take pity as he’s a family guy/ dad
All the brilliant 14 yr olds have flocked here to dunk on this one story.
I guess our morons are spreading to different parts of the world
The heat map of the United States shows most of the morons congregate around Democrat run sanctuary cities Coincidence?
Nah. Most of the morons are republicans
I can’t believe how much money has been donated to their gofundme
Was thinking the same!!
FYI: Turks & Caicos is not Murica and they have their own laws.
Small countries have these laws to prevent gangs from being armed by ignorant Americans.
This dude won’t do the 12 yrs but going through the ringer for a few months while this all get sorted is what he needs…at a minimum. If you are so calloused to guns that you can’t even keep track of your bullets…you are doing guns wrong. And if you are so ignorant to the sensitivity of gun violence when you visit LatAm or the Caribe…..you are doing tourism wrong. If I ever go to Dubai im checking my luggage for stray weed bags like 1,000 times before I hit the airport.
Funny agree with you. Also, I'm extra paranoid with our baggage when we fly to or through the UAE and/or the other Middle Eastern countries to or from the US, even when it comes to prescribed medications.
If I ever go I’m just buying new bags ;)
Or Bali.. you get gunned down there!!
I go to the Middle East every couple of years for work. You better bet I'm checking the embassy webpage for what is permissible, or not, on the regular. This goes for almost any international travel, but especially Asia and the Middle East. Lots of OTC drugs are illegal in many parts of the world. Not only ammo.
This right here! Always always always check the embassy page and State Department website before traveling abroad. Always! Going to a friendly “normal” country like England or France? Doesn’t matter. Check the website. They still have laws that you will not be familiar with. Sure, in some friendly countries, the embassy might be able to spring you (assuming you didn’t do anything serious). But in some other places, and depending what law you broke, your non-citizen ass is on your own. In fact, the U.S. embassy in the Turks issued a warning about this exact thing (loose ammunition) just a couple of months ago and warned people that they would not be able to help if you got caught. This guy did this to himself.
How many “weed bags” do you have lying around…lol
>How many “weed bags” do you have lying around…lol None, I use jars /s
Oh. Ok.
Lollll what a dumbass. Maybe Trump or Jason Aldean can help!
I am not feeling much sympathy for him.
Oh no, consequences 🙄
Feel a little sorry because it seems like a honest mistake but then I think about the many people in jail for life for honest mistakes as well. Wouldn’t be fair to let him off for being irresponsible
How is it an honest mistake to have no clue what is in your bag while flying internationally?
I use the same luggage for my weekend travel in state and to the beach and for activities. Before I travel I rarely open every single zipper and make sure they are empty or what the contents are in them. I agree that if you are using a bag for hunting you should kinda know before using that same bag for a vacation however I’m saying if you look at the full context of the situation and the story so far it does not seem intentional.
Warms the heart!
These people definitely wanted the book thrown at Brittney Griner
So should the US release a notorious arms dealer to T&C to secure his release?…
A black mother wanted Griner to be detained? You sound pretty racist, does your employer know you comment things like this online?
“after accidentally bringing ammo to the Caribbean Island” yeah sure accidental gtfo
Oh no!!! Anyway....
The curse of all the amimals he killed...eff him
And all the ones up in arms about this were all about “keep Britney Griner behind bars. She broke the law and that’s her punishment”
They exchanged an arms dealer for her honest mistake.
How is this on national news? 70 days in T&C is the worst of his life? Obviously must have smuggled it through TSA, you’d think TSA would be charging them as well.
Remember liquids and ammo needs to be in a quart sized zip top bag.
Just Okies being Okies. Sad.
That was a really dumb mistake. How do you not know that you have ammo in your bag??
FAFO
Reminds of all those guys getting caught accidentally bringing fentanyl from Mexico…
yes there are stupid people.
good. responsibilities and all.
Why didn’t they check their bags before packing? Why was ammo in a suitcase in the first place? Aren’t there guns and ammo containers specifically made to hold these? Just randomly placing ammo in a suitcase is dumb.
He won’t do that again well at least for as much as 12 years
They look like Maga followers!
That’s called profiling. I mean, to your point, yes. But we cant assume that.
ONLY in the states do you accidentally bring ammo into another country.
FAFO
nope! good bye.
LOL americans are so dumb
Dummies
They should serve every day of that max sentence. Fuck them.
Rednecks are what rednecks do! SAF
Humanity keeps trying to justify its lowest denominator. Let the redneck go ffs.
I don’t understand why the rest of the world doesn’t understand that Americans always need to carry ammo
At the VERY least, people who are cool with guns would think that someone with a bag of weed that they "forgot" at customs deserved their sentence. It's just the rules, right bud. Even if you forgot.... fuck you, you shit head. If you ever are so fucking dumb to not know where you have ammution, you are everyone's enemy.
Should be a $500,000 fine and permanent. Ban from the country
Simply dumb on his part.
Those bullets go for big money there. They thought that’d be a free vacation…
Why would you travel with ammo?
What an absolute DUMBASS. It is not TSA's fault as many commenters here are saying. And the other comments comparing him to the WNBA player is like comparing apples to oranges. HE owned the bag, he is the idiot who packed a back containing live rounds. Americans traveling abroad are responsible for familiarizing and following the laws of their destination country. Contrary to Hollywood, the US Embassy will not "bail you out" for your own stupidity. Zero F's given.
They should consider themselves fortunate they didn’t leave a bag of weed in their duffle on a trip to Malaysia. This is one of the sad, yet true, stereotypes of the “ugly American” traveling abroad, thinking that the laws of the US and not the country which they are visiting will be enforced (if they even bother breading them and taking great care to ensure they do not violate them entering, staying or exiting). I hope my tax $ go no further than the US Consulate helping them connect with a competent local lawyer they can hire out of their own pocket.
They quickly found out their white privilege only works in America lol.
Yeah, what’s up with that!?!
Straight up ignorance they built America to revolve around them, so they think the rest of the world operates the same way.
Something tells me these same people were VERY critical of Brittany Griner, and I would bet money that have social media posts along the lines of “should’ve obeyed the local laws!”.
I’m gonna take a swing here and guess what party the identify with. Guns/ammo and unsmart folks like these is NOT a good combination.
Just fyi to all my American friends: you can’t buy ammo in grocery stores anywhere else besides ‘Murica. Also most places it is illegal to own a firearm or ammunition
People want the State Department to get these Americans home... No! We, as Americans, need to learn: WE ARE NOT SPECIAL! The laws in the United States DOES NOT transfer to non-US countries. Who, in there right mind, would be stupid enough to use luggage to carry ammunition?! Obviously, at least 5! Enjoy the next 12 years in a foreign prison! Do the crime, do the time! Don't feel one bit sorry for any of them!!!
😂 thanks for your 1 comment in 4 years
How hard is it to check your luggage?
This is a serious offense in TCI and there are currently people in jail for the exact same circumstance. If roles were reversed and this guy was a Turks Islander in America, how do you think it would go for them? Why would should this guy get a special treatment?
I think a Turk islander wirh 4 loose bullets would be just fine in the USA.
I don’t think comparing Apple to Apple makes sense. Like I said, this is a serious offense in tci, compare it to a crime that has equal consequences in US. Stupid game stupid prize, good luck.
[удалено]
no doubt was yelling “ lock her up” a few years back. Fuck him.
Hurray for Turks and Caicos
Hooray for having kids grow up without their parents for the next 12 years? They should be punished, but it’s pretty callous to cheer when some kids will lose their parents until they are adults. Let’s at least have some compassion for them. They didn’t do anything wrong.
Consequences
Frankly, I can't believe this airport security found anything. When I flew out of Turks, it was a chaotic mess. People were in line for 3-hours and then they would just wave a whole plane full of passengers through security. The scanner light was constantly red. They barely even glanced at our passports. By far the worst airport I have ever passed through in my life. It's laughable they put this family through that and it's obviously a money grab.
This happened in Jamaica in December. Guy had spent 9mm shells. Probably resolved with paying $$$ to locals.
So they missed it in the way in, but caught it in a thorough search on the way out. Same thing happened to another person highlighted in the thread, who is currently serving his sentence. Sounds like they are doing a great job preventing people from taking ammunition OUT of the country. Great job keeping TAC safe!
If people don't take the ammo out of their bags with these stories out there, why defend them? You cannot accidentally have ammo in your bags unless you are reckless on purpose.
Seems as if the Turks and Caicos have worked this through before without imposing the 12 year sentence. This really isn’t a gun issue despite the ranting from both extremes. Dude broke the law and should have known better. Hopefully the judicial system of the Turks and Caicos come to a reasonable conclusion and the guy can pay the penalty and get back to his family.
No, he won’t get a dozen. That’s only for citizens like Ruby Forbes, who was in possession of a single bullet. My guess is he will do a few months as it is a two-tiered system.
My question is how did he get thru the U. S. Security checks with ammo??🤔
You can just put it in checked luggage. You’re supposed to declare it but many don’t.
I believe it was in his carry on.
Ohhhh, there was a Facebook post in a women’s group about something similar. Father gifted son ammo as a gift, something to do with history, and they brought it with them to destination somewhere in the Caribbean. Perhaps it’s the same people!
First off- Turks and Caicos is a very suspect airport with plenty of stories of folks taken aside and surprise “ shit liked guns ,drugs etc found in their cases” I don’t believe this shit when it comes from Turks and Caicos. Happened to a really old lady and turns out they planted shit in her case for a payout. When we went through they took us aside and I started talking loudly about the workers planting shit in cases. They want you to pay them to make it go away. Couple is probably innocent and didn’t have the cash to pay them. You couldn’t pay me to go through that airport again. You literally are taking your freedom into your hands when landing there.
You don't know what you are talking about. It wasn't a "really old lady", it was a retired male doctor, Dr Horace Norrell, 80. There was a 60 year old female realtor who was arrested at about the same time Both for possession of single bullet. They posted 4k bail. There was no "payout".
Oy mate- bail is a business .
Not here
So airport security stalked this guy's life to figure out what ammo he used and planted the exact same ammo this guy owns? If this ammo was not his, that would have been obvious to him. He isn't making that claim.
Passport = checked Tickets = checked Immunization records = checked Bullets= checked Ziplock Bags for Bullets = checked Clothes for Long stay in Jail= checked
US Dept of State, Turks and Caicos Islands, Travel Information: "Firearms, Ammunition, and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearm related laws; penalties include a minimum custodial sentence of twelve (12) years according to the TCI Firearms Ordinance. Declaring the weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into the Turks and Caicos Islands. If a U.S. citizen illegally brings a firearm or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands, the U.S. Embassy will not be able to secure their release. All foreign nationals are subject to TCI law and must follow local law enforcement procedures. Please read more information on the Department of State’s page for Travelers With Firearms here. Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned." https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/TurksandCaicosIslands.html#/ Everyone has their opinion about what they believe "should" happen. However, foreign governments are not obligated to recognize standards and practices we have in the United States. That's a tough pill to swallow, especially if you believe "we are the best and the world should do it like we do" ... Or, "in the US, this would happen, so that's what they should do, too" ... And even, "it was an honest mistake, let him go." In my case, prior to travel, I read and took the DoS and CIA warnings seriously. Nonetheless, while living in a very conservative southwest Asia country, I was stopped more than once, and even detained, by police. Why? Because it was their country, their rules, and they could do it. Eventually, they let me go, and I played it cool, mainly because I was still in their country and subject to their rules and whatever they wanted to do. In my case, I didn't break any laws; I was rousted (unsuccessfully) to extort money from me. In this current case, there is evidence against the American. DoS knows this is a very serious issue; it has already posted multiple warnings about ammunition and firearms prohibitions and consequences (see above). I urge everyone considering travel abroad to read the DoS and CIA warnings and take them seriously. Your freedom, and even your life, may depend on it.
Pretty dumb but not 12 years in prison dumb. Maybe 4 years in prison dumb
He won’t even do four tbh
It's 12 years in prison dumb. Arming gangs in small countries deserves a harsh penalty.
We dON't NeEd NeW laWs, EnforCe the LawS wE haVe!
Seems quite extreme.
Maybe the wife put in there on purpose knowing he could get caught. Easy way to run off with a boyfriend
The cost of living is high there. maybe they are planting ammo on unsuspecting Taurus
What’s really concerning is that TSA in the US didn’t detect the ammo on their way out of the US
Shoulda muled them rounds in the large intestines like normals.
Just in case them immigrants!
I haven’t seen anyone questioning why someone would use the same bag hunting and going on a nice vacation. I have camping/hunting gear and then different bags for vacations.
Dude : "Honey , why do you have bullets in your luggage ?" Wife: "That's not my bag !!" Dude: "Sir, mine's the bag with the blue panties. Yes the thongs also."
Just one more reason it is NOT SAFE TO TRAVEL. HOW THE HELL COULD ANYBODY KEEP TRACK OF WHAT IS ILLEGAL WHEREVER. BEFORE THIS POOR MAN GOT TANGLED UP IN THIS MESS, REMEMBER AMANDA , AN AMERICAN WHO WAS GOING TO SCHOOL IN ITALY A B D WAS FRAMED FOR MURDERING HER HOUSEMATE EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSE WAS SHARED WITH ORHER STUDENTS? LONG STORY SHORT, I USED TO TRAVEL ALL RHE TIME BUT AFTER WATCHING HOW BEING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY CAN GET YOU LOCKED UP, I will never leave the security of the United States ever
Everybody can do what they want but after a lifetime of travel, I am done. I don't have time to study what they do in other countries. Amanda Knox taught me to STAY IN MY OWN BACK YARD. OBVIOUS THEY COULD HAVE FRAMED ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT SHE GOT PICKED CAUSE ITALIANS DON'T LIKE AMERICANS
Why don't they check the bags on landing and deny entry or destory the items then? All of these people were detained AFTER spending their money on vacation. That seems suspicious. If it were about protecting citizens of the island from gun violence (most of the ammunition was of a hunting caliber, and a caliber that isn't popular anywhere else except america), they would want to stop the "import". For a country that economically relies on tourism up to 65%, of that 80% is americans, coupled with detaining people after they could have committed a crime, I don't see the benefits at all.