US citizen faces 1.5-year prison demand in Bali cannabis case
Prosecutors have demanded that American citizen Tyeisha Kieonne Parks (38) be sentenced to one and a half years in prison for narcotics abuse involving cannabis in Bali.
The demand was read out by public prosecutor Ni Putu Eriek Sumyanti during a hearing at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, on Tuesday.
In the indictment, the prosecutor stated that Tyeisha had been legally and convincingly proven guilty of abusing a Category I narcotic for personal use, as stipulated under Article 127 paragraph (1) letter a of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics.
“We request that the panel of judges impose a prison sentence of one year and six months on defendant Tyeisha Kieonne Parks, reduced by the time already spent in detention,” the prosecutor said during the hearing presided over by Judge Diah Poernomojekti.
This information was provided by the doctor treating the defendant in the state of Ohio, United States, Michael Hodge CNP, PMHNP, MSN, during a previous hearing via video conference or Zoom Meeting.
The doctor confirmed that Tyeisha had been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder. The use of marijuana had also been recommended to help the defendant cope with severe anxiety she was experiencing.
The prosecutor also took into account that Tyeisha had no connection to international or domestic narcotics networks. The defendant was said to have come to Bali for a holiday and admitted that the cannabis was for her own personal use.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor considered the defendant’s actions to be an aggravating factor because they could create a negative image of Bali as an international tourist destination.
According to the indictment, the case began when Tyeisha arrived in Bali on 21 April 2026 at around 11.00 p.m. local time for a holiday.
Upon arrival at the International Arrivals Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Tyeisha filled out a Customs Declaration form assisted by her partner, Joshua Anania Murphy.
In the form, the defendant did not declare any narcotics she was carrying. During an X-ray machine inspection, customs officers discovered suspicious items inside the defendant’s suitcase.
Officers found a clear plastic bottle labelled Peach Crescendo containing a lump of dried plant material, greenish-brown in colour, weighing 13.88 grams, and one clear clip-seal plastic bag containing similar plant material weighing 22.83 grams.
Examination results showed that both items tested positive for Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or cannabis, with a total net weight of 36.71 grams.
In addition to the cannabis, officers seized one metal grinder, five packs of rolling papers labelled Da Boss Leaf, a Korean Air boarding pass in the defendant’s name, and the Customs Declaration document.
In the indictment, Tyeisha admitted to bringing the cannabis to alleviate anxiety caused by back pain she had suffered since 2021.
After the demand was read out, the trial will continue with the defendant’s plea on Thursday (27/8/2026). The final sentence will be determined by the panel of judges.