Duane `Dog' Chapman arrested by feds

Television Forum

Duane `Dog' Chapman arrested by feds

Associated Press

HONOLULU - TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars on his show were arrested Thursday in Hawaii on charges of illegal detention and conspiracy in an alleged kidnapping three years ago.

Chapman, son Leland Chapman and associate Timothy Chapman were taken into custody and did not resist arrest, said Mark Hanohano, U.S. Marshal for the district of Hawaii. "It went down without incident," Hanohano said.

Mona K. Wood, a publicist for the star of the popular cable series "Dog The Bounty Hunter," said Chapman would be vindicated. "He arrests the bad guys — and he is definitely not one of them," she said.

The charges stem from Chapman's capture of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Villarta, Mexico, said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.

Chapman's capture of Luster, who had fled the country after being convicted of raping three women, catapulted the 53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series on A&E.

The three are being held in Honolulu. Bail has not been set. They will face an extradition hearing to Mexico under terms of treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, Credic said.

Chapman's son Leland, 29, and Timothy Chapman, 41, no relation, assist Chapman in exploits chronicled for the TV show around the Hawaiian Islands. The show focuses on Chapman's family as much as the bounty hunting, which generally involves tracking down bail jumpers, often creating emotional scenes with repentant captives.

Charges have been pending against the three since local police in Mexico arrested them shortly after they roped in Luster. They posted bail but never returned to Puerto Villarta for their court hearing on July 15, 2003, Credic said.

Mexican authorities demanded that the Chapmans transfer Luster to Mexican police. Their refusal to do so led to their initial arrest.

A U.S. warrant for their arrest was signed by a federal judge in Honolulu on Wednesday.

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-HECK!

HaaaaaaaaHAH! Good, this show licks.

The profession of bounty hunter seemed cool as a kid, watching Star Wars and all that, but when you see them as duded up fake badge having mullet heads, it kind of loses its luster.

-HECK!

I don't know, I kind of like him, a little. Not much. Well, maybe feel sorry for him is the word, dude is so white trash, he makes me feel like an elitist.


Kind of cool how he snubbed his nose at Mexico to get the rapist thug from them, it's too bad he is getting arrested for it.

“Dog“ free for now
16-Sep-2006
Written by: Diana Feather

What Mexico has to say is still unknown

As he was released from federal prison on bail, Duane “Dog” Chapman continued to thank everyone for their support even though his wife Beth did not approve.

Many fans, along with reporters and cameras, were outside the prison waiting for Chapman. The fans showed their support by wearing “Dog the Bounty Hunter” shirts and holding handmade signs reading, “Let our hero go” and “In Dog we trust.”

“We’re glad for everything. Everyone loves us, thank you very much. If it wasn’t for the people that love us, we don’t know what would have happened. We love America. The federal marshals treated us with great respect. But let me tell you, you never want to go to a federal prison because it’s terrible,” Chapman stated.

Now that he is out of prison in Hawaii it is still uncertain whether he will have to go to Mexico to be charged there as well. Although he is out on $300,000 bail, the judge who freed him put a monitored bracelet on his ankle so the feds can keep an eye on his whereabouts.

Although suspects awaiting extradition are seldom released on bail because of expectancy to flee the country, Judge Barry Kurren knew Chapman has numerous connections in Hawaii and a lot of support from the community.

It was clear at the federal jailhouse he had support from fans of the television show as well. Floyd and Susan Harris were on vacation in Hawaii from Arizona when they heard about Chapman’s situation. They went to the bond office to meet “Dog”; Susan especially wanted to meet Beth. “She’s as straight up as I thought she was on TV. She stands by her man, and she’s trying to protect him and I appreciate that as a woman,” Susan said.

A bounty hunter being arrested for skipping bail. Oh the irony.

Saw the special on him last night about what went down. I side with Chapman and his partners on this one. They took down a big time sicko bastard, so Mexico needs to go twirl its mustache and chill the hell out.

-HECK!