LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — It’s been nearly a month since Tyler Wenrich returned home after being arrested in Turks and Caicos, and in that time, he’s been adjusting to his normal life in Lousia with his family.
For the past month, moments in the Wenrich household have been filled with a lot of joy and laughter as the family of three gets back to spending quality time with one another.
8News spoke exclusively with the family for the first time since Tyler Wenrich returned home in May, after being arrested in Turks and Caicos in April. The two shared how Tyler’s trip to paradise turned into a complete nightmare in a matter of hours.
It all began when Tyler Wenrich traveled to Turks and Caicos on a bachelor party cruise in April.
“We had a great time during those couple of days that I was there. And it was it was a lot of fun being with all of our friends and being able to explore these different things,” said Wenrich.
After spending time on the Caribbean island, on April 23, officials arrested him for bringing ammunition onto the island when he tried to reboard the boat.
His wife, Jeriann Wenrich, previously told 8News that the backpack Tyler traveled with that day was the same one he would often take to the gun range.
While she remained at home in Louisa County, wondering if her son would grow up without his father around, Tyler said he felt those same concerns behind bars.
“I obviously thought about Jeriann and Everett a lot — and that’s usually what kind of broke me,” Tyler said. “But I also just [did] a lot of praying, and I kind of dove into the Bible, and I was just keeping my head in there and … just believing that I was going to come home.”
Tyler said it was his faith, as well as the support from friends, family and complete strangers, that helped him get through his two weeks behind bars before he was granted bail on May 1.
RELATED: Turks and Caicos revises firearms law after several Americans arrested, including Louisa man, according to ABC
After pleading guilty on May 21 to two counts of ammunition possession, he waited to learn whether the judge would extend him grace or sentence him to 12 or more years. On May 28, a judge sentenced him to time served and a $9,000 fine.
Within just a few days, the family reunited with the same support system that carried them through this journey.
Despite this situation, Tyler said their travel plans will continue, but with caution in mind.
“I have learned a valuable lesson as far as — I mean, I’m buying new travel bags to just travel [with,] because I’m keeping all of that separate,” Tyler said.
LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — It’s been nearly a month since Tyler Wenrich returned home after being arrested in Turks and Caicos, and in that time, he’s been adjusting to his normal life in Lousia with his family.
For the past month, moments in the Wenrich household have been filled with a lot of joy and laughter as the family of three gets back to spending quality time with one another.
8News spoke exclusively with the family for the first time since Tyler Wenrich returned home in May, after being arrested in Turks and Caicos in April. The two shared how Tyler’s trip to paradise turned into a complete nightmare in a matter of hours.
It all began when Tyler Wenrich traveled to Turks and Caicos on a bachelor party cruise in April.
“We had a great time during those couple of days that I was there. And it was it was a lot of fun being with all of our friends and being able to explore these different things,” said Wenrich.
After spending time on the Caribbean island, on April 23, officials arrested him for bringing ammunition onto the island when he tried to reboard the boat.
His wife, Jeriann Wenrich, previously told 8News that the backpack Tyler traveled with that day was the same one he would often take to the gun range.
While she remained at home in Louisa County, wondering if her son would grow up without his father around, Tyler said he felt those same concerns behind bars.
“I obviously thought about Jeriann and Everett a lot — and that’s usually what kind of broke me,” Tyler said. “But I also just [did] a lot of praying, and I kind of dove into the Bible, and I was just keeping my head in there and … just believing that I was going to come home.”
Tyler said it was his faith, as well as the support from friends, family and complete strangers, that helped him get through his two weeks behind bars before he was granted bail on May 1.
After pleading guilty on May 21 to two counts of ammunition possession, he waited to learn whether the judge would extend him grace or sentence him to 12 or more years. On May 28, a judge sentenced him to time served and a $9,000 fine.
Within just a few days, the family reunited with the same support system that carried them through this journey.
Despite this situation, Tyler said their travel plans will continue, but with caution in mind.
“I have learned a valuable lesson as far as — I mean, I’m buying new travel bags to just travel [with,] because I’m keeping all of that separate,” Tyler said.