American arrested in Turks and Caicos over ammo in carry-on bag gets suspended sentence of 13 weeks [Video]

A third American who was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands in recent months for possessing ammunition was given a suspended sentence of 13 weeks in prison and a $2,000 fine Friday, his spokesperson said on social media.

Ryan Watson of Oklahoma had pleaded guilty and faced a potential prison sentence over four rounds of ammunition that were found in his carry-on bag when he and his wife visited the British territory earlier this year.

Watson has been out on bail for weeks as his case moved through the islands’ legal system, but he wasn’t allowed to return to his wife, Valerie Watson, and their two children in the U.S. until his case was resolved.

According to spokesperson Jonathan Franks, the judge found that the case had exceptional circumstances and that the lengthy sentence would be arbitrary.   

“We will make payment shortly, depart TCI and anticipate being home in OKC tonight,” Franks tweeted Friday.