TSA comments after Richmond-area man arrested in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition

LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a warning to international travelers after a Richmond-area man was arrested for allegedly bringing ammunition into Turks and Caicos.

Tyler Wenrich, 31, is facing a potential prison sentence of 12 years after he was arrested during a security checkpoint on a cruise ship trip to Grand Turk on Tuesday, April 23.

8News reached out to the TSA to learn more about security during Wenrich’s travel.

“TSA takes its security mission very seriously,” a spokesperson with TSA said. “Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on bags and passengers are responsible for the contents of their luggage.”

The TSA was reportedly able to access video of Wenrich passing through the security checkpoint at Richmond International Airport (RIC), but the X-ray images of his bag are no longer retrievable and have been deleted.

“TSA is not able to confirm whether ammunition was packed in a traveler’s carry-on bag during security screening at [RIC] on April 17th, when a passenger flew out of Richmond because no evidence exists,” the spokesperson said.

According to Wenrich’s wife , Jeriann, the bag in which ammunition was found may have been the same bag he would use to go to the gun range.

“TSA is here to protect our transportation security systems, and we encourage passengers to start packing with an empty bag, and when traveling internationally, to be cognizant of local laws,” the TSA spokesperson said. “We also strongly recommend that individuals do not bring their firing range bags to the airport when they travel.”

Wenrich was recently granted bail and is currently awaiting a court hearing in June.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.