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Fetterman claims credit for freeing American dad who was arrested in Turks and Caicos over ammo in his luggage

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Fetterman claims credit for freeing American dad who was arrested in Turks and Caicos over ammo in his luggage


A Pennsylvania dad made a triumphant return home on Friday after being arrested in February the Turks and Caicos over ammunition that he had accidentally left in his luggage when he traveled to the Caribbean islands.

Now, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) is taking credit for helping secure the release of Bryan Hagerich, 39, despite the Pittsburgh-native facing up to 12 years in prison for the stray rounds.

Fetterman was the only Democrat to travel to the British territory as part of a delegation of lawmakers who pushed for the release of five Americans detained there — all of whom were caught with ammo in their bags.

“When we met with [Turks and Caicos] officials a few days ago, they made clear that they wanted this situation resolved,” Fetterman said in a statement after Hagerich’s release.

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Bryan Hagerich hugs his children after returning home to the US. AP

“They recognized that Bryan and the other detained Americans are not gunrunners – they are just people who made a mistake.”

The Pennsylvanian senator met up with Hagerich after his return back to the US on Friday.

“From my family to yours…welcome home, Bryan,” Fetterman posted on X, with a photo of the Pennsylvanian.

Last Monday, Fetterman trekked to the island chain with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), as well as Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Penn.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), and Bob Good (R-Va.)

They met with the American detainees and local government officials to plead for leniency, contending that the individuals there had made an “innocent” mistake.

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Hagerich, a former professional baseball player and father of two, had been arrested back in February.

Hagerich claims the stray ammunition in his luggage came from a prior hunting trip. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

On Friday morning, a judge in Turks and Caicos suspended his 52-month sentence and directed him to pay a $6,500 fine.

The other Americans held in Turks and Caicos include Sharitta Grier, 45, of Florida; Michael Lee Evans, 72, of Texas; Tyler Wenrich, 31, of Virginia; and Ryan Watson, 40, of Oklahoma.

Bryan Hagerich spoke with reporters after landing in Pittsburgh. AP

All five US citizens had slightly different circumstances but had violated the island chain’s laws on ammunition. Both Evans and Wenwich have also pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

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Evans was permitted to travel home for medical reasons but is supposed to return to the island chain.

Fetterman conveyed optimism that the others will be released soon as well.

Palmer Hagerich, 4, was excited to see his father return home. AP

“I’m hopeful that [Turks and Caicos] expedites the rest of these cases and that the other detained Americans will soon be released and reunited with their families as well,” he said.

Hagerich expressed gratitude for his freedom.

“It’s just amazing how, just in the matter of 12 hours, looking at 12 years to now,” Hagerich told reporters Friday, per Fox News.

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“My biggest concern is coaching my kids’ baseball games tomorrow, and that is such a relief.”



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Pennsylvania

How Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s removal is impacting Pennsylvania

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How Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s removal is impacting Pennsylvania






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Video of children in staged hockey fight in Pennsylvania prompts vow of disciplinary action

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Video of children in staged hockey fight in Pennsylvania prompts vow of disciplinary action


Video of youth hockey players brawling in a staged fight at a minor league game in Pennsylvania has prompted officials to promise “appropriate disciplinary action” against organizers.

The wild scene broke out Saturday during intermission at the Hershey Bears-Cleveland Monsters AHL game at Giant Center in Hershey, about 15 miles east of Harrisburg.

Viral video of the incident showed several players — including a goaltender — in on the fake fracas, dropping gloves, throwing punches, cross checking and hitting from behind.

Players, who are 8 and younger from the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club, brawled with no adults coming on to the ice to break up the action.

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The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association promised to take action against both adults and the players.

“We are aware of a staged fight that occurred last night at the Hershey Bears (AHL) game involving a Pennsylvania 8U team,” the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association said in a statement on Sunday.

“Affiliate, league and club officials are investigating the matter and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those players and team officials involved with the staged fight.”

A representative for the Hershey Bears, an affiliate of the Washington Capitals, could not be immediately reached by NBC News for comment on Monday.

“The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants— especially our young players — are of the utmost importance,” the Central Penn Panthers said in statement on Sunday.

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“We are currently conducting an internal review to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. This review will include gathering information from all relevant parties and assessing the situation thoroughly and responsibly,” the Panthers said. “At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions. “



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Were ICE agents at the Pa. Farm show? Here’s what officials say

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Were ICE agents at the Pa. Farm show? Here’s what officials say


Online speculation about the presence of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show has sparked a growing spread of misinformation.

Multiple posts on Facebook and TikTok have stated that undercover or plain clothes ICE agents are walking around the farm show and staying at local hotels without naming a source for their information.

“These rumors are false,” Pa. Department of Agriculture Press Secretary Shannon Powers told PennLive on Sunday. “The Department of Agriculture has not found any ICE personnel working on or near the Farm Show complex.”

A PennLive reporter walking around the complex on Saturday did not see any ICE agents.

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Powers also said ICE has not rented or reserved event space or an exhibit booth in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex for the Farm Show.

There are law enforcement personnel on the property, but they are focused on safety and security of Farm Show visitors, Powers said.

Pennsylvania State Police troopers are stationed and patrolling the Farm Show complex and parking lots to keep visitors safe, working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Farm Show Security, Capitol Police, local municipal police departments and Harrisburg Fire Police.

Discourse about ICE has ramped up since Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis last week. Good was a 37-year-old mother of three.

In the last several months, the Department of Homeland Security has heavily increased immigration enforcement, characterized by arrests of undocumented immigrants, a social media campaign and crackdowns on protests.

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