Episode 725: Hunter Faces 12 Years in Caribbean Island Prison For Rifle Ammo Found in Luggage

What this episode covers

Ryan and Valerie Watson saved their pennies to be able to afford a dream island vacation on the Caribbean Islands of Turks and Caicos. The dream turned into a nightmare, however after 4 loose rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition was found in Ryan’s luggage when they were LEAVING the island. That means it made it all the way to the island undetected by TSA. What seems like an innocent mistake has turned into a hellish reality for their family as Ryan now faces up to 12 years in a Turks and Caicos prison cell. The Oklahoma couple discusses how things played out, including Valerie being arrested as forced to stay on the Island for 10 days while the Turks and Caicos officials debated on whether or not to charge her as well as her husband. Ultimately, she was given her passport back and allowed to return home to the U.S. and their two young children. Sadly, Ryan is the first American to run into this accidental misfortune on the island, he now is sharing an apartment with another American who was arrested in February and is awaiting his trial and sentencing (which will set the precedent for what is expected to happen to Ryan). Are U.S. government officials intervening on his behalf? What legal options does he have? What are the conditions of Turks and Caicos jail cell? And most importantly, why is an island that relies on 94% of their GDP coming from tourists… well targeting tourists with absurd laws? Much to discuss with this amazing couple that has seen their family torn apart by arbitrary law. Click here for the Watson’s GoFundMe page.