Ryan Watson, an American tourist from Oklahoma, is facing up to 12 years in prison in the Turks and Caicos Islands after airport security found hunting ammunition in his carry-on luggage. The incident occurred as Watson was returning from a birthday vacation. Although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US failed to detect the ammunition during pre-flight checks—an oversight they are now investigating—Watson has been detained in the Caribbean and is awaiting trial scheduled for June.

The legal situation has prompted Watson’s wife, Valerie, and their children to return home without him. Valerie Watson was initially charged, but those charges have since been dropped. Despite the family’s separation and the ongoing legal challenges, a GoFundMe campaign to cover Ryan Watson’s legal expenses has garnered nearly $220,000 in donations.

This case has raised broader concerns regarding airport security protocols, particularly the regulation that ammunition can be transported in checked baggage but is prohibited in carry-ons. Additionally, the incident has sparked a dialogue about the necessity of adhering to local laws while traveling internationally, as laws concerning the possession of firearms and ammunition can vary significantly by country.