Oklahoma

Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Edmond Man Faces Sentencing For Bringing Ammunition Into Turks And Caicos

Published

2 years ago

June 23, 2024

Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Edmond Man Faces Sentencing For Bringing Ammunition Into Turks And Caicos

An Edmond man facing charges in Turks and Caicos after ammunition was found in his luggage will arrive for his sentencing on Friday.

Click here to watch News 9 Now.

Ryan Watson was arrested in April after authorities found ammunition left over from a hunting trip in his carry-on. Now, two months after being taken into custody, Watson will face his sentencing.

The punishment for bringing ammunition onto the island nation, according to Turks and Caicos law, is 12 years in prison.

Watson’s family spoke with News 9 about the trial, and applauded the efforts of the attorney defending Watson.

The family said when the prosecutor brought in the bullets to the courtroom to use in the case against Watson, it provided Watson’s attorney the opportunity to show no weapon on the island is capable of firing them.

Last week, Turks and Caicos Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam filed an amendment to country’s firearms ordinance, stating “the court may impose a term of imprisonment of less than the mandatory minimum term or a fine or both.”

Watson is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Watson is not the only American tourist to face ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos, as four others have been arrested after bullets were found by airport security.

US Senators Markwayne Mullin and Rep. Josh Breechen, both of whom are lawmakers representing Oklahoma in Washington D.C., have visited the island in May to discuss the arrests.

While that delegation was unable to negotiate the release of the detained Americans, two have returned home after being given fines and shortened sentences.

Turks and Caicos Gov. Daniel-Selvaratnam defended the country’s laws, and said no American has received the full sentence.

This case led to changes at Will Rogers World Airport, from Which Watson and his family departed from on their trip toTurks and Caicos, and brought action from U.S. lawmakers.

U.S. Sen James Lankford sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration, asking how it managed to allow citizens to go to Turks and Caicos with ammo in their bags.

The TSA said officers will receive additional training on how to catch those items, with failure to do leaving the possibility of them being placed on administrative leave, or being terminated from their position.

Source link

Click to comment

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon

Published

2 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

YUKON, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.

The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.

Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.

OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

Published

14 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property

As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.

As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”

“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.

Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.

“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”

Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.

Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.

“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.

StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: Mar. 1, 2026

Big night in downtown OKC as the Oklahoma City Thunder welcome the Denver Nugget and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back on the floor.

Steve McGehee reports live from Paycom Center with the latest on SGA’s return after missing nine games, the Thunder’s push to hold the top spot in the Western Conference, and what getting healthy means for OKC’s title hopes.

Source link