US tourist fined $3,500, pleads guilty to firearm offences in the TCI

Alex Julian Guzman of Wyoming, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to firearm offences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The 23-year-old United States resident made headlines a few weeks ago for having a firearm and ammunition in his possession without being the holder of a firearm licence on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Providenciales International Airport.

Guzman pleaded guilty to the charges on June 2 and was fined a total of $3,500 when he appeared before the Supreme Court on June 05 to answer to two counts of Firearm-related Offences.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Mr Guzman was ordered to pay the fine forthwith or in default face 60 days imprisonment.

The Court ordered that the firearm and ammunition seized be destroyed within 90 days and

Mr Guzman’s passport and personal items be returned.

Mr Guzman had initially appeared before the Supreme Court on May 5.

He was granted $20,000 bail with conditions including, one or two sureties or $20,000 cash; and was ordered to visit the Grace Bay Police Station every Wednesday between 8am -5pm; Guzman was also ordered to surrender his travel documents.

In a brief statement, Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, Superintendent Dean Holden said: “We have clear laws regarding the possession of firearms and ammunition.

Embedded in those laws is the required permission needed when in possession of such.

The laws apply to everyone and will be enforced”.

The matter was investigated by officers of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.