Tourist faces 12 years in jail after making 'innocent mistake' at airport on holiday

An American tourist is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a vacation to Turks and Caicos took a drastic turn.

40-year-old Ryan Watson was arrested on April 11 and is now stuck in Turks and Caicos following the 'accidental' error.

It all kicked off when he and his wide Valerie attempted to make their return to the United States after a family vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

However, Watson was accused of being in possession of hunting ammo in his carry-on bag, something he claims was an accident and was not done on purpose.

The Transportation Security Administration dictates that firearms must be unloaded and that both the weapon and its ammunition must be included in your checked baggage and cannot be carried on you as you fly.

Upon getting flagged by TSA as he attempted to return home, Watson says he had left the hunting ammunition in his carry-on from a previous trip.

His wife's charges were dropped. (Valerie Watson)

Unfortunately for him, not only was it illegal to travel with said ammo in your carry-on luggage, but the possession of guns and ammunition is highly illegal on the Turks Islands, meaning Watson was in strict violation of the law.

Watson spoke to NBC News ahead of his first court hearing: “I recognized [the ammunition] and thought, 'what a bonehead mistake. I had no idea that those were in there'."

Both Ryan and his wife, Valerie, were arrested and put in jail for several days, separated from their two kids who remained in Oklahoma City, the family’s hometown.

While Valerie was allowed to return home with her charges being dropped after 11 days, Ryan was not treated as kindly.

Instead, Ryan will now be subject to a criminal trial in which he could go to prison for up to 12 years.

Ryan faces up to 12 years in jail. (NBC)

“When I heard that, I immediately was terrified,” Valerie said in regards to the potential sentence. “We can't be in prison for 12 years, we have kids at home.”

'We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops," Valerie added. "Packing ammunition was not at all our intent."

The consequences of Ryan's alleged mistake would not have been as severe even just a few years ago, as gun possession in Turks and Caicos was previously just subject to a fine.

However, in 2022, the mandatory minimum penalty for gun/ammo possession was 12 years in prison.

Beyond Ryan’s potential prison sentence, the expenditures that have been required to fight for Ryan’s innocence have already taken a major financial toll, with a GoFundMe having raised over $118,000 to help support the family through their legal struggles.