An American tourist who was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier this year for possessing ammunition was given a suspended sentence of 52 months on Friday and was expected to be released, a spokesperson posted to social media. Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania was one of several Americans facing a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in prison on ammunition charges in the British territory.
According to Hagerich’s spokesperson Jonathan Franks, the judge found that the case had exceptional circumstances and that the lengthy sentence would be arbitrary. The father of two will also have to pay a $6,700 fine.
Hagerich had pleaded guilty to possessing 20 rifle rounds, according to the Turks and Caicos government. He was arrested in February when the ammunition was found in his checked bag, and he said he spent eight nights in jail before he was released on bail.
“Some of the darkest, hardest times of my life, quite frankly,” Hagerich told CBS News last month.
Hagerich told news outlets he didn’t know he brought the hunting ammunition on a family vacation to Turks and Caicos but he recognized it when authorities found it in his bag.
Kris Van Cleave contributed reporting.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com. In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.
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