Oklahoman Awaits Sentence In Turks and Caicos Ammunition Case, Family Staying 'Cautiously Optimistic'

An Oklahoma tourist who celebrated his 40th birthday, and has spent the past two months stuck on the island awaiting the outcome of a court case, will be sentenced Friday morning in Turks and Caicos.

Ryan Watson from Edmond traveled to the island with his family for a vacation in April. When he went to the airport to return, airport security discovered hunting ammunition in his bag and arrested him. His case, and that of several other Americans facing similar charges, has caught the attention of state and federal officials.

"We have enough experiences here that I think we're always cautiously optimistic about what we feel like the outcome is going to be," said Susan Fendley, Watson's mother.

Watson will appear in court on Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern to receive his sentence. Last week, the island's government amended its gun control law to allow for more lenient sentencing in these types of cases.

"It's certainly going in the right direction now because they've given the judges the ability to either do a fine or an incarceration or custody or both," said Terry Fendley. "And so, they've given them that ability to try to make sure that the judgment fits the circumstances."

If the judge imposes a sentence of only a fine, Watson could leave the island the same day and be back in Oklahoma by Friday night.