WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of congressional members visited Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. They were there to advocate for the release of several Americans who have been detained for carrying ammunition in their luggage.
Bryan Hagerich, who is from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, is one of the five Americans detained. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman said these people did not set out to break the law and that they are people who made a mistake and now face substantial time in prison because of it. They could be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in a Turks and Caicos prison.
The congressional delegation met with the Americans detained there. Fetterman described them to be in good spirits but eager to return home. Fetterman also met with officials to facilitate their return. The Senator said based on those discussions, he would be disappointed and surprised if there was not a good outcome in this case.
“The leadership of TCI was very clear, this was not a situation of targeting Americans or any of that and they want this to be addressed,” said Sen. Fetterman.
Hagerich’s sentencing has been bumped up to Friday. We reached out to TCI on this but did not hear back. The Senator does not think the US needs to put a travel advisory for Americans traveling to the Turks and Caicos.
