The T&C are an absolutely beautiful set of islands with very kind citizens (for the most part). Many of them are descendants of slaves from NC whose masters let them stay there after their attempts to grow crops their failed. About 13 years ago we were going down there every few months and we’re seriously considering buying a second home there. Then I started getting pulled out of the Security line at the airport for secondary screening. Once? OK but 3 times in a row where I had to completely remove all of my belongings from each of our bags? It left a bad taste in my mouth and we have not been back since..

Dave I am with the rest of the SF hive and stand ready to support you in any way possible.. Best of luck!

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:
Not a lot to add today. Meeting with my attorney at 3:30. He cited that case in my bail hearing along with a few other relevant ones. I'm just unsure of how precedent works down here.

If you read the sentencing note in the earlier case I linked to upthread, the decision itself cites three other cases as precedent; including that of a Bulgarian truck driver found with an illegal weapon in the UK, but merely given a suspended sentence because it was legal to own back in Bulgaria, he was in the UK for a legitimate purpose, and not aware of the local law. The TCI court specifically held that a suspended sentence was obviously considered a sufficient deterrence against a repeat by someone likely to return to the UK regularly as part of his job, and such deterrence wasn't even necessary in the present case of someone unlikely to come back to the TCI. So not only are they using local precedent, but from English Common Law which their system is based on in general. The boat case should therefore go a long way in avoiding the mandatory prison term.

I have no suggestions, but I do hope this can be worked out in a favorable manner for Dave.

All I can do is pray God give you favor in this situation and that you are freed you get to go home soon. In Jesus's name. AMEN !!! God Bless

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:
Thank you for the replies and prayers. I am out on bail currently staying at a resort, for two more days, and then moving to a longer term location until the case is resolved. I have retained a lawyer who I was told, by multiple people, is the best on the island. My mistake entirely. Problem is I never use my travel backpack to go to the range, ever. I have separate bags for that very reason, chain of custody. I cannot remember ever throwing these rounds in this bag. I sat up every night of the 6 nights in jail trying to recall how this happened. You can bet I will never let this happen again. As to the random number 44, when I go to the range I take out JHP and replace with FMJ. I almost always take 4 guns, 10 in the mag (NYS limit) and one in the chamber. 4 guns, eleven bullets each. We are working hard to find a solution to this. I reached out to Para because I thought that by some slim chance someone on the forum would have experience with this or know someone but mainly as a cautionary tale. Know what you are carrying. I will try to keep you updated. Thank you for the kind thoughts and thanks Para for putting this up for me.

Just switched resorts for the 3rd time. Piece mealing rooms for the duration of my stay. Easter is very busy down here and I am taking rooms where I can find them. Had a promising meeting with my attorney yesterday. Very confident in no jail time but no guarantees. I did ask him how many Americans have been convicted of this and his answer was zero. Sure hope I'm not the first, but I am starting to at least feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am seeing a lot of familiar faces. Resort employees. All asking me why I am still down here. Just telling them, I love it here.

^^^sounds promising. Continuing good thoughts your way.

Good news, Dave! Stay positive and we'll stay positive with you!

Dave, thanks for the update. I am very sorry this happened to you, it’s an easy mistake that could have happened to any of us. I’m thinking about you and I have been praying for a positive outcome. I wish there was more I could do to help.

Thanks for the update, Dave. Sounds promising. We're all pullin' for ya

I know times are uncertain, but keep the faith, keep your chin up and know that we are praying for you.

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:
I am seeing a lot of familiar faces. Resort employees. All asking me why I am still down here. Just telling them, I love it here.

Smart. Very smart!

I just saw this thread, is Dave still in T&C?

Good luck Dave,and Happy that it is looking promising.
I see the biggest problem is the very anti UK. I'm sure there are people there that think bullets are going to kill someone. I have seen so much anti American posts , mainly due to our media. I also can't imagine much help from the current administration.

quote:

Originally posted by davetruong:
I just saw this thread, is Dave still in T&C?

Yes, he's still there, awaiting trial.

I haven't spoken to Dave since the day I made this announcement, but I think that now the initial excitement has passed and he's not dealing with sitting in a jail cell, he's probably getting into a period of boredom with the waiting game, and we could do him some good by just posting. Anything- funny stories or stories about when you got into a legal bind (with a focus on positive outcomes), words of support, anything at all. Tell him a joke. Post a pic of your pets or something which shows the best things about the United States.

It sounds like he's going to be OK and will be returning to the US before to long, but, right now, it's the doldrums. We might be able to alleviate this, just a bit.

I had a over the shoulder sling bag, it had a 'carry' pocket. And I often would carry in the sling bag. A few times I had to go through a soft check point, and they would ask me to open the bag. I would flip the lid over to the back, which concealed the carry pouch/zipper, and they never once checked it.

I was in DC, and I left my carry in the car in Arlington and we rode the metro in. I was going through a checkpoint and he checked my bag like the others. He then flipped the lid back and unzipped the carry pouch. It happened so fast, I panicked and nearly shat myself.
"whew, I am glad I left it home" and then he smiled and said,

"Me Too"

So this was my first #MeToo moment.

A funny story for Dave to give him a chuckle.

Many years ago I was sitting in the Doctors office waiting for my name to be called for my Vasectomy. With me were maybe a dozen other guys, some with their other half, all waiting for that dreaded procedure. ALL the men, me included, were holding magazines up to their faces, literally hiding our faces behind the magazines. I'm sure we were all pretending to read but I was just looking at the page and mortified of that painful dreaded procedure that awaited. An injection down there? No way. That has got to hurt like hell. (it did) So, while were pretending to read out comes a lets say 'challenged' guy who just had his procedure.

We all knew he came out of "that" door we were destined for. I could hear him walk up to the window and the receptionist asked him if he needed anything. He replied he would like some of the Glow in the Dark condoms, "like the ones they had in that movie"

The WHOLE room of guys hiding behind our magazines, me included, all started to chuckle and giggle at a very low volume. I looked up over my magazine and I could see just about all the other guys doing the same and all had smiles on our faces. What a tension breaker!

He was apparently referring to the recently released Woody Allen movie were the glow in the dark condom was running around the darkened room. (I never saw that movie, just heard of it)

The receptionist told him they had no glow in the darks but gave him some "regular" ones.

And then my name was called....

My thoughts are with you Dave, I am glad to hear that things are looking positive. If you ever make it through Indiana please let me know in advance and a good steak dinner is on me.

I could see myself winding up in a similar scenario, ammo winds up in strange places. My truck alone would land me in hot water in many places in the US, just from dribs and drabs of ammo and magazines left over from completely lawful and innocent range trips and matches.

Godspeed.

Glad things are looking up. Sorry such a simple oversight has caused you so much grief.

quote:

Originally posted by davetruong:
I just saw this thread, is Dave still in T&C?

Yeah buddy, I'm still here. My wife is with me and we are trying to make the best of a bad situation. I feel pretty bad for her. I can see the fear in her eyes sometimes. I feel terrible that I allowed this to happen and that I put my family in this position. My attorney feels confident that the powers that be will see this for what it was, an egregious mistake born out carelessness with no criminal intent. The place I am staying and the people here are lovely but Para is correct, doldrums setting in. Just too much time to think. I just want to go home.

Well for God’s sake don’t go to a cricket match! You and your wife are in the doldrums now; time would virtually stand still