GETTING THROUGH THIS ORDEAL. IT’S TORTURE. RYAN WATSON SAYS STAYING IN PARADISE ISN’T AS NICE AS YOU’D IMAGINE. AS HE AWAITS TRIAL ON A POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION CHARGE. GOD IS MOVING IN SO MANY WAYS THROUGH THIS THING, BUT HE’S FOUND A FRIEND TO HELP HIM THROUGH THAT TORTURE. BRIAN HAGER FROM PENNSYLVANIA, WHO’S ALSO CHARGED FOR HAVING HUNTING BULLETS IN HIS LUGGAGE. I PICKED UP THE PHONE AND I CALLED BRIAN AND I WAS LIKE, MAN, WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER. HE HAS SINCE VERY MUCH BECAME A PART OF OUR FAMILY. UM, IT’S THE WEIRDEST BROTHERHOOD THAT I’VE EVER EXPERIENCED. BUT, UM, BUT YEAH, I THINK THAT WE’VE COMMITTED TO ONE ANOTHER THAT, UM, WE’RE HERE FOR ONE ANOTHER. THE TWO SHARE AN ATTORNEY AND ARE LEANING ON ONE ANOTHER. RYAN SAYS EVEN OKLAHOMA LEADERS HAVE STEPPED IN TO HELP BOTH MEN. THEY’VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH BRIAN RYAN’S TRIAL IS SET FOR JUNE, AND HE’S HOPING FOR A SENTENCE LESS THAN THE ISLANDS MINIMUM OF 12 YEARS IN PRISON. HE COULD GET A HINT AT WHAT’S AHEAD WHEN BRIAN GOES TO TRIAL NEXT WEEK. WE ARE PRAYING JUST VERY HARD THAT THAT MAYBE THERE’S A RESOLUTION THAT CAN TAKE PLACE BEFORE MAY 3RD, BUT IF NOT, THAT MAY THIRD, UM, YOU KNOW, GOES, UM, JUST GOES WITH JUST AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF CONSIDERATION. THE TURKS AND CAICOS GOVERNMENT PUT OUT A STATEMENT THIS WEEK THAT SEVERAL OTHER TOURISTS FOUND WITH AMMO OR WEAPONS HAVE RECEIVED LESS THAN THAT 12 YEARS. SOME ULTIMATELY JUST PAYING FINES. NOW, WHILE RYAN AWAITS HIS TRIAL ON BAIL, HE DOES HAVE TO CHECK IN WITH AUTHORITIES TWICE PER WEEK AND DOCUMENT WHERE HE’S STAYING EACH NIGHT. I JUST WISH THAT I COULD GET HOME TO RESUME SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY, BUT, UM, UNFORTUNATELY, WE JUST DON’T KNOW WHEN THAT’S GOING
Edmond man held in Turks and Caicos leaning on new friend also charged with ammunition possession
Ryan Watson said staying in paradise isn't as nice as you'd imagine
Updated: 5:30 PM CDT Apr 25, 2024
An Edmond man stranded in Turks and Caicos awaiting trial for carrying ammunition has company from another American being held on the same charges.| MORE | Oklahoma man out on bond in Turks and Caicos as family faces terrifying reality"It's torture," Ryan Watson, who was charged with possession of ammunition in Turks and Caicos, said.Watson said staying in paradise isn't as nice as you'd imagine as he waits for trial in June."God is moving in so many ways in this thing," he said.But Watson has found a friend to help him through that torture – Bryan Hagerich from Pennsylvania. He's also charged with having hunting bullets in his luggage."I picked up the phone and called Bryan, and I was like, 'Man, we're in this together,'" Watson said. "He has since become part of our family. It's the weirdest thing I've ever experienced, but I think we've committed to one another that we're here for one another."| MORE | Oklahoma couple describes being detained in Turks and CaicosThe two share an attorney and are leaning on one another. Watson said even Oklahoma leaders have stepped in to help both men."They've been in touch with Bryan," Watson said.Watson's trial is set for June, and he hopes for a sentence less than the island's minimum of 12 years in prison. He could get a hint at what's ahead when Hagerich goes to trial next week."We're praying maybe there's a resolution that can take place before May 3," Watson said. "But if not, that May 3 goes with an overwhelming sense of consideration."| MORE | Nightmare vacation for Oklahoma couple leaves husband behind barsThe Turks and Caicos government put out a statement this week that several other tourists found with ammunition or weapons have received less than 12 years and some ultimately just paid fines.While Watson awaits trial on bail, he does have to check in with authorities twice per week and document where he's staying each night."I wish I could get home to resume some sense of normalcy, but, unfortunately, we don't know when that's gonna be," Watson said.Top Headlines Oklahoma storms with enhanced risk possible during overnight hours Mother yells at State Superintendent Ryan Walters while being arrested during Oklahoma BOE meeting Investigation continues after man shoots, kills wife and 3 children at Yukon home: What we know What a TikTok ban in the US could mean for you
An Edmond man stranded in Turks and Caicos awaiting trial for carrying ammunition has company from another American being held on the same charges.
| MORE | Oklahoma man out on bond in Turks and Caicos as family faces terrifying reality
"It's torture," Ryan Watson, who was charged with possession of ammunition in Turks and Caicos, said.
Watson said staying in paradise isn't as nice as you'd imagine as he waits for trial in June.
"God is moving in so many ways in this thing," he said.
But Watson has found a friend to help him through that torture – Bryan Hagerich from Pennsylvania. He's also charged with having hunting bullets in his luggage.
"I picked up the phone and called Bryan, and I was like, 'Man, we're in this together,'" Watson said. "He has since become part of our family. It's the weirdest thing I've ever experienced, but I think we've committed to one another that we're here for one another."
| MORE | Oklahoma couple describes being detained in Turks and Caicos
The two share an attorney and are leaning on one another. Watson said even Oklahoma leaders have stepped in to help both men.
"They've been in touch with Bryan," Watson said.
Watson's trial is set for June, and he hopes for a sentence less than the island's minimum of 12 years in prison. He could get a hint at what's ahead when Hagerich goes to trial next week.
"We're praying maybe there's a resolution that can take place before May 3," Watson said. "But if not, that May 3 goes with an overwhelming sense of consideration."
| MORE | Nightmare vacation for Oklahoma couple leaves husband behind bars
The Turks and Caicos government put out a statement this week that several other tourists found with ammunition or weapons have received less than 12 years and some ultimately just paid fines.
While Watson awaits trial on bail, he does have to check in with authorities twice per week and document where he's staying each night.
"I wish I could get home to resume some sense of normalcy, but, unfortunately, we don't know when that's gonna be," Watson said.
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