Florida lawmakers are pressing Turks and Caicos Officials over the detainment and incarceration of Florida resident Sharitta Grier, who was arrested upon her arrival to the islands last week.
Grier was arrested after airport authorities discovered two stray bullets in her luggage during a pre-flight check prior to her departure from the islands.
According to Grier, who keeps a gun at her home in Florida, the ammunition inadvertently fell into her luggage as she was packing.
In the US, airplane passengers may carry unloaded firearms and ammunition in checked luggage.
Grier has been stranded in the islands since her arrest, reportedly having to endure being fettered to an administrative desk and sleeping on the floor of a police station.
US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) wrote a letter to Turks and Caicos Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam requesting Grier’s release.
Senator Scott claimed prosecuting Grier due to an honest mistake is unjustified.
“Pursuing strict liability against Ms. Grier for an inadvertent act that wholly lacks any element of criminal intent is a miscarriage of justice,” reads Scott’s letter.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has also been in contact with the US State Department to coordinate assistance for Grier.
Turks and Caicos has tightened its gun laws following a recent increase in gun violence and arms trafficking.
A conviction for illegal possession of ammunition could mean at least twelve years in jail for Grier.
Scott asked for Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam’s support to evade such nightmare scenario.
“I urge you to act swiftly in this matter to secure Ms. Grier’s timely return to her family in Florida,” concludes Scott.
