Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Edmond Man Faces Sentencing For Bringing Ammunition Into Turks And Caicos

An Edmond man facing charges in Turks and Caicos after ammunition was found in his luggage will arrive for his sentencing on Friday.

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Ryan Watson was arrested in April after authorities found ammunition left over from a hunting trip in his carry-on. Now, two months after being taken into custody, Watson will face his sentencing.

The punishment for bringing ammunition onto the island nation, according to Turks and Caicos law, is 12 years in prison.

Watson's family spoke with News 9 about the trial, and applauded the efforts of the attorney defending Watson.

The family said when the prosecutor brought in the bullets to the courtroom to use in the case against Watson, it provided Watson's attorney the opportunity to show no weapon on the island is capable of firing them.

Last week, Turks and Caicos Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam filed an amendment to country's firearms ordinance, stating “the court may impose a term of imprisonment of less than the mandatory minimum term or a fine or both.”

Watson is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Watson is not the only American tourist to face ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos, as four others have been arrested after bullets were found by airport security.

US Senators Markwayne Mullin and Rep. Josh Breechen, both of whom are lawmakers representing Oklahoma in Washington D.C., have visited the island in May to discuss the arrests.

While that delegation was unable to negotiate the release of the detained Americans, two have returned home after being given fines and shortened sentences.

Turks and Caicos Gov. Daniel-Selvaratnam defended the country's laws, and said no American has received the full sentence.

This case led to changes at Will Rogers World Airport, from Which Watson and his family departed from on their trip toTurks and Caicos, and brought action from U.S. lawmakers.

U.S. Sen James Lankford sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration, asking how it managed to allow citizens to go to Turks and Caicos with ammo in their bags.

The TSA said officers will receive additional training on how to catch those items, with failure to do leaving the possibility of them being placed on administrative leave, or being terminated from their position.