Bryan Hagerich, a Pennsylvania-based father of two who faced a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison for bringing ammunition into Turks and Caicos has just learned his fate.
On Friday, a judge handed Hagerich a suspended 52-week sentence along with a $6,700 fine. Upon payment of the fine, Hagerich will have his passport returned and can go back to the United States without serving the sentence.
He pleaded guilty to possession of 20 rounds of ammunition.
Initially, Hagerich was looking at a potential 12-year sentence, which is the minimum penalty for possessing guns or ammunition under the country's stringent laws aimed at curbing rising crime and gang violence. Nevertheless, the judge determined that there were exceptional circumstances and concluded that the mandatory 12-year minimum was unjust and disproportionate to the offense.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
