On May 15th, Governors Kevin Stitt (R-OK), Josh Shapiro (D-PA), and Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) sent a letter to the Governor of Turks & Caicos, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, calling for the prompt release of three Americans held in her territory.

Ryan Watson of Oklahoma, Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvania and Tyler Wenrich of Virginia are all being held in Turks & Caicos on charges of ammunition possession.

None of them were carrying firearms and each man maintains that the ammunition was unintentionally left in their luggage after legal recreational activities in the United States. They are each facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years under Turks & Caicos’ stringent gun laws.

The letter reads, in part:

“As governors, we understand and appreciate the critical importance of upholding the laws and regulations of your territory for the protection of your citizens. We humbly ask that your government—in its wisdom—temper justice with mercy and recognize that these men made mistakes but had no apparent malicious intent.

“We respectfully request that you reconsider the charges against Bryan Hagerich, Tyler Scott Wenrich, and Ryan Tyler Watson and expedite their release back to their respective states and families as soon as possible. This action will create the necessary recognition of your laws that will impact the future actions of travelers and continue our mutual interest in justice and goodwill between our jurisdictions.”

The full letter can be found here.