LUTHER, Okla. ( KFOR ) – After being trapped in Turks and Caicos for months, Ryan Watson said he’s grateful to be back home. The Oklahoman and his wife, Valerie, visited Turks and Caicos in April and were detained by authorities for carrying ammunition in his luggage.
Valerie Watson was allowed to return without Ryan after he admitted the duffle bag the ammunition was found in was his. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Oklahoma man held in Turks & Caicos returns home “Trying to like single parent back here, not really knowing what his fate was going to be down there, you know, in the very beginning,” Valerie said when asked about coming back to Oklahoma without her husband. Valerie said it was hard to wrap her head around the 12 years in prison Ryan could have served for the crime.
Instead, Ryan was sentenced to 13 weeks imprisonment suspended for nine months and a $2,000 fine. He traveled back home to the metro June 21, after his fine was paid. “It was such a surreal feeling,” said Ryan.
“Just overwhelmed with emotion and trying to kind of process, I get to see my kids, but also trying to get a message across that we still have another American on that island that we need to pray for.” That American is Sharita Grier from Orlando, Florida, who’s currently waiting to be sentenced in Turks and Caicos as well for similar charges. The Watson’s say they’re keeping tabs with Grier and expect a decision to come soon.
Ryan told a News 4 employee he’s still tried his best to .
