
A 45-year-old woman from Orlando, Florida, Sharitta Shinise Grier, is facing the possibility of a 12-year prison sentence in Turks and Caicos after being arrested for possessing two rounds of ammunition in her luggage.
Grier, who was vacationing on the Caribbean island, was detained at the Howard Hamilton International Airport when security personnel discovered the stray ammunition during a routine search. She has been charged with one count of ammunition possession under the strict gun control laws of Turks and Caicos.
This incident follows a recent advisory issued by the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas warning Americans about the severe consequences of bringing firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos. The advisory emphasized that even unintentional possession could lead to detention and legal proceedings under local law enforcement.
Grier’s case is not an isolated one. She is the fifth American to be detained in Turks and Caicos since February for similar offenses. Among those previously detained are Ryan Watson, Tyler Wenrich, Bryan Hagerich, and Michael Lee Evans, all of whom face the same potential 12-year prison term.
This is Bryan Hagerich
He’s a married father of 2 from Pennsylvania who is rotting away in a Turks & Caicos jail cell after some stray ammunition from a prior hunting trip was found in a random pocket of his checked bag while he was on a family vacation
He faces 12 years in… pic.twitter.com/VPQppygohF
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) May 14, 2024
Governors from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oklahoma have jointly appealed to the governor of Turks and Caicos, urging mercy for the detained Americans. They emphasized that while mistakes were made, there was no malicious intent behind their actions.
Chanchy Willis, Grier’s cousin, shared insights into the situation, revealing that Grier had joined the others in renting a property on the island after posting bail. Willis expressed solidarity among the detained individuals, highlighting their support for each other during this challenging time.
Willie Lucas, Grier’s mother, has called for prayers for her daughter’s well-being and safety amidst the legal proceedings. She emphasized the need for caution when traveling and urged others to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Grier is scheduled to appear in court on July 5, where her fate will be determined under the laws of Turks and Caicos.