HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — A 55-year-old American visitor who flew to Bermuda last month from Houston, Texas to escape Hurricane Harvey has been fined US$300 after he “accidentally” travelled to the island with 38 rounds of ammunition in his luggage.

Johnny Jefferson was leaving the island last Friday when airport security detected the bullets in his bag.

Jefferson was arrested and told officers he thought he had left the ammunition in a different bag with his gun in Memphis, Tennessee.

On Tuesday, he admitted possessing ammunition and told the court: “This was an innocent mistake. I had no idea the ammunition was in my bag when I came to Bermuda.

“Since this is my first offence I ask you to have mercy on me.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo told Jefferson he accepted his explanation.

“I am glad that Bermuda was able to give you some safety from Hurricane Harvey. But unfortunately we don’t want ammunition coming into this country. We take it very seriously.”