American Woman Charged with Ammunition Possession in Turks and Caicos

TITLE: American Woman Charged with Ammunition Possession in Turks and Caicos

Police in Turks and Caicos have charged an American woman with ammunition possession, a crime that carries a minimum penalty of 12 years in prison. Sharitta Shinise Grier, 45, of Orlando, was visiting the island with her daughter for Mother’s Day when officials allegedly found two rounds of illegal ammunition in her luggage during a routine search at the airport.

Grier and her daughter were arrested, but her daughter was later released. Grier has been charged and is set to appear in court on Thursday. This incident comes as the fifth American to be charged under Turks and Caicos’ strict gun laws this year.

Two years ago, the government of Turks and Caicos prohibited civilian firearms and ammunition, imposing a minimum sentence of 12 years for offenders. It is illegal to transport firearms or ammunition to or from any Caribbean country without a license under U.S. laws.

The case of Grier follows similar incidents involving other Americans, including Ryan and Valerie Watson of Oklahoma and Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania, who were arrested and faced charges related to ammunition possession. Calls from the defendants’ families and U.S. officials have raised concerns about the strict laws and penalties in Turks and Caicos.

On Wednesday, several U.S. governors sent a joint letter to the governor of Turks and Caicos urging the release of the detained Americans, emphasizing the importance of justice and goodwill between jurisdictions. The outcome of Grier’s case and the ongoing debate over gun laws in Turks and Caicos continue to spark international attention.