David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
A Virginia man avoided a long prison sentence Tuesday when a judge in Turks and Caicos sentenced him to time served for illegally bringing bullets to the island getaway. Tyler Wenrich, 31, was fined $9,000 and sentenced to three weeks time served, meaning he was free to return to Louisa, Virginia. Wenrich, who works as a paramedic and has an 18-month-old baby, had pleaded guilty to an ammunition charge that could have exposed him to a 12-year prison sentence.
But a judge ruled there were 'extraordinary circumstances' in the matter, making Wenrich eligible for the shorter sentence. Wenrich's road home followed the same path as fellow American Bryan Hagerich, who had also faced a 12-year term before being set free. Wenrich had been on a cruise ship when the vessel docked in Grand Turk. Bullets from a previous hunting trip had been left unknowingly in his bag as he went through a security checkpoint.
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American sentenced to time served, fined $9,000 for bringing ammo to Turks and CaicosTyler Wenrich, of Virginia, was arrested in late April.
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American father held in Turks and Caicos over ammo speaks out after returning homeIn an exclusive interview with 'Good Morning America,' Bryan Hagerich and his wife said they put together a list of everything he would need if he was given the full 12-year sentence by a judge.
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American father held in Turks and Caicos over ammo speaks out after returning homeIn an exclusive interview with 'Good Morning America,' Bryan Hagerich and his wife said they put together a list of everything he would need if he was given the full 12-year sentence by a judge.
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American held in Turks and Caicos over ammunition speaks out after returning homeBryan Hagerich was held in the Caribbean nation for three months.
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American father returns to US after paying fine for bringing ammunition to Turks and CaicosA judge sentenced Bryan Hagerich to a suspended 52-week sentence with a fine of $6,700. Upon paying his fine, he was given his passport and returned to the United States without serving the sentence.
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American father who brought ammunition to Turks and Caicos avoids lengthy sentenceAmerican Bryan Hagerich was spared a lengthy prison sentence under Turks and Caicos' strict gun laws and will return to the U.S. after paying a fine.
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