ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando woman who was arrested in the Turks and Caicos Islands back in May has now returned home.
The woman — Sharitta Grier, 45 — was originally taken into custody after two bullets were found in her carry-on bag during a surprise Mother’s Day vacation to the Turks and Caicos.
But on Thursday, she was ultimately fined $1,500 and given a suspended sentence of 23 weeks, CBS reports. Grier’s flight arrived in Florida on Thursday evening.
“I was chained to a chair, and I had to sleep on the floor...” Grier said. “I had ups and downs. Some days, I’d be OK. The next day, I’m down. You know, it’s an emotional rollercoaster.”
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Aside from Grier, four other Americans have been arrested in the Turks and Caicos in recent months after ammunition was found in their bags.
Late last year, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a travel warning to Americans visiting the Turks and Caicos, warning that bringing ammunition or firearms into the British Territory would result in arrests.
All five Americans (Grier included) faced mandatory minimum sentences of 12 years in prison following their arrests.
However, Grier and three others have since been given suspended sentences. The fifth American — Tyler Wenrich of Virginia — was sentenced to time served and a $9,000 fine.
“Be very careful because other countries got different laws than we do, so that’s very serious,” Grier advised after her return.
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