ORLANDO, Fla. — A Central Florida woman arrived home in Orlando Thursday evening after being detained in Turks and Caicos for nearly two months.

What You Need To Know

Sharitta Grier was arrested on May 16 on one count of possession of ammunition when authorities at the Providenciales International Airport found two bullets in her carry-on during a routine search. 

Grier, who said she didn't know the ammunition was in her luggage, was on her way from a Mother's Day trip and was leaving the islands at the time. 

Since then, she had been staying at an Airbnb with two other Americans going through the same situation.

During her sentencing hearing Thursday, she was fined $1,500 before flying home and given a 23-week suspended sentence. She had faced a potential 12-year prison sentence.

Turks and Caicos tightened its gun laws in 2022 after a jump in gun violence and weapons trafficking.

Grier was one of five Americans accused of bringing various amounts of ammunition to the Turks and Caicos in recent months. The U.S. State Department has cautioned travelers to the islands to be vigilant about keeping guns and ammunition out of their luggage.

Grier was the last of the five to receive her sentence. The other four Americans had already returned to the U.S.

Grier's return home was filled with emotion as dozens of family and friends gathered with signs at the Orlando International Airport for her arrival. 

While some cried tears of joy, others thanked God that she made it home in one piece after more than 50 days.

Blessed and overwhelmed is how Grier said she felt after reuniting home to her loved ones. Her two priorities for the moment included spending time with her family and eating some good food, she said.

However, she did say they experience has made her think twice when traveling and encourages others to be extra careful to avoid getting caught up in a situation like hers. 

“Take their time. Check their luggage. You know, just be careful. Be very careful because other states, other countries got different laws than we do so that’s very serious,” she said. 

She said she was so scared from the overall experience, that she left her luggage at the airport in Turks and Caicos. 

“I was scared to bring that luggage back. When I got to the airport, something just clicked. I just couldn’t do it,” said Grier.

Overall, Grier said she was satisfied with the legal outcome.