Pennsylvania man arrested in Turks and Caicos airport incident returns home and embraces children
- Bryan Hagerich, who was arrested in Turks and Caicos over ammo found in his bag, returned to Pennsylvania.
- He was seen hugging kids at the airport upon his arrival back in the U.S.
- The incident in Turks and Caicos led to his arrest and subsequent return home.
Bryan Hagerich, an American tourist, was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands in February. He returned home to western Pennsylvania on Friday. He was given a suspended sentence of 52 weeks and had to pay a $6,700 fine. Hagerich, from Somerset County, held his children in the air for about 15 seconds before embracing them. He expressed how happy he was to see them after a tough time. Hagerich was arrested for having ammunition in his checked bag, which is not allowed in Turks and Caicos. He didn't realize he had rifle rounds in his bag. Some lawmakers, including Guy Reschenthaler, helped in urging officials to release the Americans held there. Hagerich hopes his case will help the other Americans facing similar charges to come home soon. In Turks and Caicos, tourists were previously able to pay a fine for possessing a gun or ammunition. However, Hagerich's case shows a change in this practice. There are still four other Americans facing similar charges in the islands. Hagerich believes that the right people were there to help him and his family during this difficult time.