We are not targeting Americans.
.
Introduction
Dear Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
As a concerned Turks and Caicos Islander, I am writing to you about several remarks you made during your recent interview with ABC news in connection with the five Americans who violated the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands by having ammunition in their possession.
We are not against Americans – we are upholding our law.
You made a statement that we are targeting Americans. This is untrue. You referred to a Brazilian being fined and let go. What you failed to report is that Alex Guzman, an American tourist who was fined $3500 for possession of ammunition and firearms. You also failed that another American tourist, 26yr old, Michael Grim Jr was sentenced to 8 months in jail after pleading guilty for possession of 20 rounds of illegal 9mm ammunition. You also failed that another American tourist, David O’ Connor was fined between $5000 and $6000 for possession of 44 rounds of ammunition.
If we are against Americans, then are we also against the locals. Locals spent the maximum number of years in jail for possession of firearms and ammunition.
Exceptional circumstances
You failed to report that if the defense team can prove to the Courts that there are exceptional circumstances, the judge has the discretion to impose a custodial sentence and a fine rather than the minimum mandatory of 12 years. Therefore, it is very possible that these tourists will not get 12 years, but you must wait for the judge to make the ruling.
Interference in our judicial system
You mentioned that individuals were rolling their eyes at you and making inflammatory statements. You failed t to mention that you wanted to meet with the Chief Justice. Perhaps that is why eyes were being rolled because it appears that you and your colleagues were trying to interfere in the judicial system. You not only wanted to meet with the Chief Justice, but you also wanted the Governor of TCI to do something. There must be a separation of our legal system from our parliamentary system.
Every 3rd week?
It is false statement that every 3rd week, Americans are being detained. If that is the case, then why aren’t there more Americans detained. This is a false statement.
No platform to crack down on Americans.
There are not three ruling families, and no one ran on a platform to crack down on Americans. It is very unfortunate that you would make such false statements. We have two main political parties in this country comprising of several different individuals, not three families.
Crime is a big concern for all and the platform that both parties address is to reduce crime. There was not never any reference to cracking down on Americans. Why would any Government target Americans when our economy depends on American tourists. You mentioned some statistics about the American ownership of real estate so make this make sense to me that we are cracking down on Americans.
US Virgin Islands
You mentioned that no other country has similar laws and that our law is inhumane. I refer you to the US Virgin Islands which states “Any person who, unless authorized by law possesses, sells, purchases, manufactures, advertises for sale, or uses armor piercing or exploding ammunition for use in a firearm shall be guilty of a felony and shall be fined not less than $15,000 and imprisoned not less than fifteen years. Now tell me, if this is humane.
Conclusion
It is a shame that the Rep. Guy Reschenthaler has taken this route in misleading the public and trying to interfere in our judicial system. I quite understand his concern for the Americans that are detained but he must respect our laws and let justice takes its place.
I challenge Rep. Reschenthaler to retract his statements because he has not only insulted the people of the Turks and Caicos, but he has also made false statements.