Oklahoma

Oklahoma man returning to US after ammo arrest in Turks and Caicos

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2024

Oklahoma man returning to US after ammo arrest in Turks and Caicos

The Oklahoma man who was facing 12 years in a tropical prison after Turks and Caicos authorities found four stray bullets in his luggage is coming back to the United States after a months-long ordeal.

Ryan Watson, 40, was arrested in April at the country’s main airport.

At his sentencing hearing Friday, Watson received a suspended 13-week jail sentence and a fine of $2,000 – or $500 per bullet, according to family spokesman Jonathan Franks.

Watson was expected to pay the fine and get on a flight to Oklahoma City before the end of the day.

After the sentencing, the judge urged American travelers bound for Turks and Caicos to double-check their bags and asked the Transportation Safety Administration to screen outgoing travelers.

Watson is one of at least five Americans arrested this year who were arrested for violating Turks and Caicos’ ammunition law.

Watson previously told Fox News Digital he had no intention of bringing ammunition on his vacation and that the bullets had been forgotten in his bag after a prior hunting trip.

The country’s parliament agreed unanimously earlier this week to revise the new ordinance after “a great deal of flacking” from American lawmakers, the country’s Newsline TCI reported.

In May, a bipartisan congressional delegation flew to Turks and Caicos and appealed in person for the U.S. citizens’ release.

“This legislative change is a critical step in ensuring our legal system is both just and flexible,” the parliament’s opposition leader Edwin Astwood told The Sun TCI, another local paper. “It acknowledges that not all cases are alike and that our judges must have the ability to consider all factors and impose sentences that are truly just and appropriate.”

He said the goal is to uphold the rule of law — but also to differentiate between genuine threats and people who made a mistake.

The other Americans charged under the ordinance include Bryan Hagerich, a 39-year-old Pennsylvania father of two and former professional baseball player, who came home after more than 100 days in jail after the court agreed to fine him $6,500 and avoid prison.

Texas’ Michael Lee Evans, 72, pleaded guilty to possessing seven rounds of ammunition, according to The Sun TCI. He was still awaiting sentencing but had been allowed to return to the U.S. due to a serious illness, according to authorities.

Virginia’s Tyler Wenrich was freed in May after paying a $10,000 fine. Sharitta Grier, of Florida, is also awaiting her sentencing.

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Oklahoma

Christian Coleman’s double-double leads Oklahoma State to win over Kansas City

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Christian Coleman’s double-double leads Oklahoma State to win over Kansas City

STILLWATER, Okla. — Christian Coleman tallied a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double as Oklahoma State held off Kansas City 91-79 on Thursday night.

Coleman shot 8 of 12 from the field and controlled the paint as the Cowboys improved to 10-1 and stayed unbeaten at home. Oklahoma State shot 58% overall, setting the tone early by opening the game on a 14-4 run before Kansas City settled in offensively.

Oklahoma State led 48-44 at halftime, but the margin remained slim well into the second half as the Roos continued to answer runs.

Kansas City briefly moved in front midway through the half, but Oklahoma State responded with a steady stretch fueled by Coleman and Anthony Roy. The Cowboys regained control with a three-point play by Coleman and pushed the lead to eight with just over seven minutes remaining, then closed the game at the line.

Roy finished with 18 points, including several baskets late, while Vyctorius Miller added 13 points and three assists. Andrija Vukovic scored 11, and Oklahoma State finished with a 41-29 rebounding edge.

Karmello Branch led the Roos with 18 points, Jayson Petty added 16 and Kasheem Grady II scored 14. Kansas City shot 37% from the field, went 11 of 30 from 3-point range and made 18 of 22 free throws, but could not match Oklahoma State’s efficiency inside late.

Kansas City closed its nonconference road schedule at 2-11.

Up Next

Oklahoma State hosts Cal State Fullerton on Sunday.

Kansas City returns home to face Austin Peay on Sunday.

Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Find more Oklahoma State coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma AG & 21 other state attorneys general sue Uber over unfair subscription services

Published

21 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma AG & 21 other state attorneys general sue Uber over unfair subscription services

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is taking action against Uber Technologies LLC and Uber USA LLC after alleging the use of deceptive and unfair practices in selling subscription services.

According to the Drummond office, the lawsuit against Uber Technologies LLC and Uber USA LLC seeks to uncover an alleged variety of unfair operations in selling Uber One subscription services.

On Monday, Drummond, alongside a coalition of 21 other state attorneys general, joined the lawsuit filed initially by the Federal Trade Commission.

Drummond says the lawsuit alleges the following:

Uber is accused of improperly using negative option marketing tactics when it offered free trial subscriptions – a practice that automatically charges consumers if they do not cancel a free trial.
Uber allegedly misled consumers about the amounts they could save when subscribing to Uber One and made it extraordinarily difficult for consumers to cancel once enrolled.
Uber is also accused of charging consumers before their billing date, including users whose free trial had not yet ended.

“Oklahoma law prohibits deceptive trade practices and I will always fight to hold accountable any company who breaks the law,” Drummond said. “Unless Uber is stopped in court, they are likely to continue cheating and harming hardworking Oklahomans.”

The AG’s office says the lawsuit seeks restitution, penalties, costs, and an injunction against Uber for alleged violations of Oklahoma’s Consumer Protection Act and the U.S. Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act.

The lawsuit is currently scheduled for trial on February 2027, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Here is the state coalition list; in addition to Oklahoma, it includes Maryland, Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as the District Attorney for Alameda County in California.

Click complaint to read the lawsuit.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Running Back Upgraded on Second College Football Playoff Availability Report

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma Running Back Upgraded on Second College Football Playoff Availability Report

Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes was upgraded on the second College Football Playoff availability report of the week.

Barnes appeared on Tuesday’s report as probable, but he was left off Wednesday’s report, meaning he will be available for Friday’s contest against Alabama.

Barnes appeared in four games during the regular season, carrying the ball 19 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one pass for 16 yards.

The senior running back was able to redshirt by only playing in four games. Postseason games, including the College Football Playoff, do not count against eligibility, so Barnes will be able to maintain eligibility in 2026 and still be able to take the field for the Sooners in the CFP.

Oklahoma’s main injury concern, center Jake Maikkula, continues to linger.

Maikkula was listed as questionable on the report for the second straight day.

Maikkula missed OU’s regular-season finale against LSU due to what Brent Venables labeled as an “infection”. He was fully suited up during a brief 15-minute practice viewing window on Monday, but he was working off to the side instead of with Oklahoma’s starting offensive line group.

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Oklahoma’s best news of the week came on Tuesday.

Star pass rusher R Mason Thomas was not listed on the week’s first availability report, meaning he’s good to go to take on the Crimson Tide.

Thomas earned All-SEC First Team honors in 2025 despite missing a majority of Red November.

He appeared in nine regular-season games, totaling 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Thomas also forced two fumbles, and he scooped up a Joey Aguilar fumble and returned it all the way for a touchdown. He sustained a quad injury on the play, however, which cost him the Alabama, Missouri and LSU games.

Thomas also missed the first half of OU’s SEC opener against Auburn after he was ejected in the second half of Oklahoma’s win over Temple for targeting.

Defensive backs Gentry Williams, Kendel Dolby and Jeremiah Newcombe were all ruled out for the CFP opener on Tuesday.

Dolby announced that he intends to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday.

When asked about the defensive back after Dolby’s announcement on Wednesday, Venables was short.

“I’m not going to talk about anybody that’s not here,” he said.

Alabama tight ends Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. were both upgraded to probable after the tight end duo was listed as questionable on the week’s first availability report.

The Sooners and the Crimson Tide will battle at 7 p.m. on Friday, and the game will air on ABC and ESPN.

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