(CMR) A retired US Army lieutenant colonel who was intercepted with a loaded magazine in his luggage at the Owen Roberts International Airport in early March was fined $22,500 by the Summary Court.
This is one of the largest fines handed down to a tourist caught with a firearm or ammunition while visiting the Cayman Islands.
Terry Torraca from Tennessee was arrested after the loaded magazine was discovered in his backpack. Torraca told police he had placed the magazine in his backpack while traveling in the US and forgot to remove it before traveling to the Cayman Islands.
When he appeared in court, he pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm (ammunition) and was fined $22,000. He was also ordered to pay a cost of $500.
Chief Magistrate Angelyn Hernandez also instructed that the loaded magazine be destroyed.
While tourists usually get a fine when caught with ammunition in their luggage, locals face much stiffer penalties when caught with firearms and ammunition.
Last year, Marcus Steve Manderson (35) and Thalia Barnes (26), arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm in 2021, were sentenced to 11.5 years and 10 years in prison, respectively.
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