Oklahoma Father Escapes 12-Year Prison Sentence in Turks and Caicos for Ammunition Mishap

An Oklahoma man narrowly escaped a 12-year prison sentence in Turks and Caicos after accidentally packing four bullets in his carry-on luggage. Ryan Watson, 40, was detained for months and faced a bleak future until a bipartisan congressional delegation intervened.

Ryan Watson, a 40-year-old father from Edmond, Oklahoma, found himself in a harrowing situation when he was arrested in Turks and Caicos in April. His crime? Unknowingly carrying four stray bullets in his carry-on bag.

Watson had packed the bag for a hunting trip to Texas last fall, but he had no recollection of placing the bullets inside. To his dismay, they were discovered underneath a lining in his bag during a routine airport screening.

Oklahoma Father Escapes 12-Year Prison Sentence in Turks and Caicos for Ammunition Mishap

Turks and Caicos has stringent laws against ammunition possession, and the initial charges carried a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. Watson's world came crashing down as he contemplated the prospect of spending over a decade behind bars for an unintentional error.

As the days turned into weeks and then months, Watson's family rallied around him. His wife, Valerie, credited their strong faith for giving them the strength to endure such an ordeal. "Our faith is so strong, I don’t know if we would have made it through any other way," she told "Fox and Friends."

Oklahoma Father Escapes 12-Year Prison Sentence in Turks and Caicos for Ammunition Mishap

Meanwhile, Senator Markwayne Mullin, Senator James Lankford, and Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma wasted no time in intervening. They formed a bipartisan congressional delegation and flew to Turks and Caicos in May to advocate for Watson's release.

Their efforts proved instrumental. After months of negotiation, Watson received a suspended 13-week jail sentence and a fine of $2,000 on Friday. He was also ordered to pay an additional $500 per bullet, bringing the total fine to $2,500.

Oklahoma Father Escapes 12-Year Prison Sentence in Turks and Caicos for Ammunition Mishap

Watson expressed immense relief and gratitude upon his release. "This is such an answered prayer… I've prayed for this for 70 days now," he said. "To see God working this way, it's pretty incredible."

He also pointed out a lapse in security on the part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which failed to detect the bullets during his initial screening in the United States. "They did nothing… and it really revealed to me that there are probably many other families that are affected abroad that are not receiving any aid or care from the State Department, as we speak."

Oklahoma Father Escapes 12-Year Prison Sentence in Turks and Caicos for Ammunition Mishap

Watson's experience is not an isolated incident. In recent months, several other American tourists have been arrested in Turks and Caicos for violating the ammunition law. The country's parliament has since revised the ordinance after facing criticism from US lawmakers.

The case highlights the importance of double-checking luggage before traveling abroad and being aware of the laws and regulations of foreign destinations.