Southwest
Oklahoma airport under TSA microscope after Turks and Caicos jails dad found with ammo
TSA is investigating an Oklahoma airport after security apparently failed to notice ammunition in a traveler’s backpack that led him to be arrested in Turks and Ciacos.
Ryan and Valerie Watson, the parents of two young children, were flying home from their island vacation, where they were celebrating a friend’s 40th birthday, on April 12 when they were arrested at the airport because security found ammunition in Ryan’s carry-on bag.
“We are aware of an incident in Turks and Caicos involving a U.S. citizen and refer you to the State Department and law enforcement authorities in Turks and Caicos for more information,” the administration said. “TSA is conducting a review at OKC [Will Rogers World Airport], which was the originating airport.”
The State Department did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.
OKLAHOMA MAN WITH AMMO IN TURKS AND CAICOS AIRPORT FACES 12 YEARS IN PRISON: ‘RISK OF LOSING EVERYTHING’
Ryan and Valerie Watson were arrested in Turks and Caicos on April 12 after island airport officials found ammunition in Ryan’s carry-on bag. Ryan faces up to 12 years in prison. (GoFundMe)
Ryan and Valerie “had their lives turned upside down when they tried to return home, as local airport security found four rounds of ammunition unknowingly left in a duff[le]bag from a deer hunting trip,” a description on the family’s GoFundMe page states.
“It was not noticed by TSA when leaving America. Now, they are facing a legal system that is unfamiliar, daunting, and expensive that operates differently than the American Justice System,” the description continues.
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A Turks and Caicos court confirmed that Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail on Tuesday for the ammunition possession charge (Turks and Caicos police)
Valerie Watson was released from jail in Turks and Caicos on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed Ryan Watson’s arrest, saying the 40-year-old Oklahoma resident appeared in magistrate court, when he was charged with one count of ammunition possession.
He was also granted $15,000 bail and has since been released under the condition that he does not travel outside the islands without the court’s permission, he surrenders his passport, he reports to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides at a specific address.
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The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a travel alert in September 2023 telling Americans not to bring ammunition to the islands.
Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail under the condition that he does not travel outside the islands without the court’s permission, he surrenders his passport, he reports to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides at a specific address. (Getty Images)
“TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearms related laws,” the alert states. “The penalty for traveling to TCI with a firearm, ammunition, or other weapon is a minimum custodial sentence of twelve (12) years.”
The embassy further stated that Americans should “carefully check” their luggage “for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing for TCI.”
TSA recommends travelers begin packing each trip with a totally empty bag or suitcase to ensure they do not face consequences for having items deemed illegal in foreign airports. Since November 2022, eight Americans have faced “firearms prosecution” for “inadvertently having ammunition in their luggage,” according to the Second Amendment Foundation.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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