Virginia man sentenced to time served, fined $9K for bringing ammo to Turks and Caicos
Tyler Wenrich, of Virginia, was arrested in late April.
A Virginia man was sentenced to time served and fined $9,000 for bringing ammunition to Turks and Caicos, avoiding a potential 12-year sentence under the islands' strict gun laws.
Tyler Wenrich, from Richmond, traveled to Grand Turk on a cruise ship for a bachelor party in late April when ammunition was found in his possession while going through a security checkpoint, police said.
The 911 operator and emergency medical technician has remained on the island since being arrested and pleaded guilty on May 21 to two counts of possession of ammunition, for two 9 mm rounds.
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"I have a lot of fear and anxiety as to what's going to happen and I'm hoping that the judge finds some compassion and leniency in the situation that I'm in," Wenrich told ABC News earlier this month.
Wenrich had gone shooting at a gun range with friends and said he forgot he was carrying the ammunition.
This comes just days after a Pennsylvania father sentenced to a suspended 52-week sentence with a fine of $6,700. He has since returned home and has been reunited with his family.
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"Absolutely overwhelmed," Bryan Hagerich told WTAE when asked about holding his kids for the first time in 101 days. "Just so much joy. My biggest concern is coaching my kids' baseball games tomorrow and that is such a relief."
Three other American tourists --Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Michael Lee Evans of Texas and Sharitta Shinise Grier of Florida -- have been charged with possessing ammunition. Each of the defendants said they did not intentionally pack the ammunition. Evans was able to leave the island due to a medical condition while out on bail and is awaiting sentencing.
The remaining Americans are out on bail but aren't allowed to leave Turks and Caicos.
ABC News' Matt Rivers and Wilkie Arthur contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
