Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin(R-OK) released the below statement following the sentencing of Bryan Hagerich, a Pennsylvania father of two and one of five American tourists being detained by the Turks and Caicos (TCI) government for inadvertently having ammunition in their luggage. Meanwhile, Senator Mullin’s constituent, Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, will have his plea hearing on Tuesday, May 28th.
“Bryan Hagerich’s sentencing is a step in the right direction, and I am hopeful this outcome will set a positive precedent for the other four Americans awaiting sentencing,” said Sen. Mullin. “However, I still encourage Turks and Caicos to take a hard look at their law and its unintended consequences. The law was reasonably aimed at addressing an increase in gang violence, but the law’s unintended consequences have wrongly equated friendly American tourists traveling to the islands without a weapon to criminal gang activity. Once again, with full respect for their sovereignty and rule of law, I strongly urge Turks and Caicos to take immediate action to prevent such incidences from ever happening again.”
Background:
On Monday, Sen. Mullin returned from leading a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation (CODEL) to Turks and Caicos where they met with government officials to discuss a path forward for the five Americans being detained on the islands for unknowingly having ammunition in their luggage. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Michael Cloud (R-TX), and Bob Good (R-VA) joined Sen. Mullin on the CODEL. During the trip, the delegation met with TCI’s Governor, Deputy Governor, Attorney General, Premier, Minister of Tourism, Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, as well as a representative from the foreign ministry.
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