OKC Standard

On May 28, 2024, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) issued a statement following the sentencing of Bryan Hagerich, a Pennsylvania father of two and one of five American tourists detained by the Turks and Caicos (TCI) government for inadvertently carrying ammunition in their luggage. Senator Mullin’s constituent, Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, is scheduled for 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.”

Senator Mullin recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to Turks and Caicos where they met with government officials to discuss a path forward for the five Americans detained on the islands. The delegation included 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). During their visit, they 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.