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“Dog” arrested for fleeing Mexico
Duane “Dog” Chapman is known worldwide for catching criminals who skip out on bail, but jumping bail in Mexico three years ago has now landed the bounty hunter behind bars. Chapman, whose larger-than-life personality is the heart of a popular reality TV series, was picked up by federal marshalls yesterday as government officials responded to an extradition request from Mexican authorities. Chapman’s son Leland and colleague Tim Chapman were also arrested. In 2003, Duane Chapman led a group of bounty hunters and a camera crew to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to hunt down convicted rapist Andrew Luster, who had evaded U.S. law enforcement for over six months. They captured Luster, who was eventually sentenced to 124 years in jail. But bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico, and Chapman and his crew were arrested for kidnapping. They posted $1,500 bail each, but then left the country. International fame and TV series followed, but Mexican authorities have apparently not forgotten the case. Yesterday, prosecutors argued that the men should be held without bail until their extradition hearing, since the case is international. Chapman’s attorney noted, however, that Chapman has a very high profile and strong ties to the community, and would not flee. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren seemed to concur, but held off deciding on bail until a hearing this afternoon.
The arrests came just as filming for the upcoming third season of the popular A&E series was wrapping up, so it will likely not affect the show in the short term. The TV crew was on hand at the courthouse yesterday, as Chapman’s wife Beth defended her husband and thanked the public for their support.
Although the TV show has been a runaway success, Chapman has had his share of troubles.
Just yesterday, Chapman was sued by Roy Barnes, the owner of a motel in Colorado Springs. Chapman’s team and a film crew showed up at his motel last June, and a confrontation between Barnes and the bounty hunters was broadcast on the show. Barnes claims that every time the episode airs, he is subject to harassment from Chapman’s fans.
A similar lawsuit is pending in San Francisco, after Chapman and local police mistakenly grabbed a man they thought was a bail jumper.
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about 3 years ago
First off I am a Dog fan. I love the fact that some one is so commited to doing their job and getting all of these crooked people off of civilized streets, and it would be awesome if we had more in society alone. But….There are two sides to every story. Dog did his job and got that piece of s*^$ off of the streets and put behind bars where he belongs, but he steped outside of americas bounderies. Mexico has their own set of laws, way different than those in the US. He proved his point that no matter where you run to he will get you, but there are laws that he also needs to abide to. First he captures those who flee bond, but he did the same. I know that he wasnt trying to hide, he was publicized, but he also needs to practice what he preaches. No matter what the outcome is I will still be a loyal fan to Dog, Leland, and Tim, they are AMERICAS HEROS, but Americas. My heart goes out to their family, Beth and the kids and the wives and children of the others and I do pray that everything will work out in the best of Dogs, Lelands and Tims intrest. Just keep your heads up and HERO’S you will always be, to me and to America.
about 3 years ago
I would like to see some positive articles
written about Duane Chapman and his family and
backing from the local news press.
With all expenses out of pocket he and his
son and brother did something the F.B.I. and
the Mexican Authorities could not, or didn’t
want to bother with and now as a US citizen
is being treated like the criminal instead
of being given credit for removing an animal from the streets.
about 3 years ago
To Mr. G. Martinez
The charge is NOT kidnapping and the law which
Dog broke is a misdemeanor punishable by
6 months to 4 years. That has been restated over and over again. Oh yeah they are using this
as publicity. Get a grip! US Marshalls can’t find time to catch illegal immigrants but they have the resources to get the Dog. Yes I would also keep an eye on the time before the charges
expired even if I had reason to believe they weren’t going to come after me. That is human nature
about 3 years ago
I am an American citizen & a Native Hawaiian from Hawaii..My husband is 100% Mexican from Mexico..I first think that our people of the United States should not condem and say racial slurs regarding “keeping mexicans out of the country & behind the fence” when they had owned California at onetime.. I do however blame the United States for allowing this to happen to Dog & his family..He helps to protect the American citizens from people like Andrew Luster THE RICH,FAMOUS RAPIST..This is ludicris..His family probably paid off the Mexican Government..
about 3 years ago
I THINK THAT WAS UNFAIR FOR THEM TO DO THAT TO A MAN WHO HELPS PUT THE BAD GUYS IN JAIL! I THINK THAT HE AND HIS BROTHER AND SON SHOULD BE LET FREE !!!
about 3 years ago
DOG SUPPORTERS..IMPORTANT PLEASE READ
PLEASE GO TO
http://savethebountyhunter.blogspot.com/
OR
http://www.dogthebountyhunter.com
Where you can get all contact info on who and how and a letter you can use as well..you can also sign the petitions, all from one site.. very easy!!
Per Beth and their Attorneys, we are backing off Mexican Officials until further notice, but do see the contacts at the link above.
A link off Dog’s website and sign up (FREE) where I am a moderator on a forum and update all contact info and news, media etc.. GO TO;
http://www.freethedog.org
Also see Tom Tancredo’s website as he is in full support of Dog and requests we send him our letters as well
http://tancredo.house.gov/
Most of all Pray.. .where Mercy is shown, Mercy is given and these guys deserve more than that..
Petition that has more than 100,00 signatures and counting.. please sign
http://www.petitiononline.com/dwayne/petition.html
HERE IS A LETTER YOU CAN USE, AS WELL AS THERE BEING ONE ON THE FIRST LINK MENTIONED IN THIS POST
I as an American am terrified. I do not understand why our country the Land of the Free, is complying with anything the Mexican government requests. I am ashamed to be an American today! Something must be done to retain the trust and faith in the US Government.
These three individual’s, Duane Dog Chapman, Leland Chapman and Tim Youngblood Chapman; they went and captured Andrew Luster who brutally raped many women in the United States, they gave relief to many women knowing that because of Dog and his Crew that America would be safe of Luster’s rage against women.
Now they are facing extradition to Mexico on charges of Restraint of an Individuals Liberties, according to Mexican officials. The penalty for this charge; 6 months to 4 years, which can include torture and possible death. Luster is now serving 124 years for 86 counts of brutal rape, who knows how many women he raped while on the run in Mexico. Luster was convicted and indicted in absentia as he had already fled to Mexico. Why wasn’t Luster’s passport confiscated and he given house arrest and a monitoring device (at the very least) yet Dog was not given as much respect as a brutal rapist.
We must protect American citizens from such brutality. How can an American Judge sign the death warrant of Dog, Leland and Tim for such a ‘petty charge’, considering the result being that the Dog and Crew brought a US wanted fugitive to justice? Is this the reward they will receive for bringing Andrew Luster to prison after being convicted in absentia? Is this how our government will actually show appreciation of what Dog and Crew did? If so, it is shameful, and I am not proud to be an American today!
Supporters have already cancelled trips to Mexico, boycotting Mexican business, and restaurants on American Soil, and we are also boycotting Max Factor products, and their affiliates.
We will send our message of disbelief and support any way we can for Dog, Leland, Tim and their families.
Please step in and up and show the American people that this can not and will not happen to any Americans and we will not take it anymore.
Show the American people that we can have faith and trust in our government to protect us all from such travesties of justice.
This can not happen in America to Americans!
God Bless Us all, and whoever can make the decision to save our faith in America!!!
about 3 years ago
I am ashamed to be an american!!! We have got to be the most hypocritcal pussies on earth. We protect illegal mexicans and give them OUR jobs Our money, free social services like medical insurance and food stamps our own citizens can’t get, Plus we let them stay here illegally and drain our resources while they breed like rats!!! We NEVER take care of our own and here is a perfect example. We should protect OUR citizen Dog the bounty hunter who does good work from the corrupt two faced bloodsucking mexican government. Their time would be much better spent rounding up all their offspring who are here in America illegally. They should also fix their government and country so the other ones that are here would leave too. Mexico should get its own house in order befor it starts punishing OUR real American Brothers. America should grown some balls and tell mexico to go straight to hell they are not getting Dog, or leland or Tim….but here are 7 million of your professional mooches that are here illegally back!!! Oh and by the way Andrew Luster was/is a Rapist….A bad criminal and Dog was the only one who could find him. Our own Law enforcement, as well as the FBI, CIA, Homeland insequrity none of which could save of from 9-11 either could find or aprehend Luster….sounds like JEALOUSY to the, the BIG Green eyed Monster….Little old Dog the bounty Hunter showed them ALL UP!!! Perhaps we should keep our own citizens here safe and sound and keep the Mexicans, Radical Islamists, and the rest of the “evil doers” outta here. Time to circle the wagons boys and protect our own!!!
Boycot anything Mexican, buy as litle gas as absolutely necessary, and remember to take care of your own. Stay out of other peoples business. and…Make sure they really DO have weapons of mass destruction! Lets make America GREAT again. I love this country. We should do everything to protect our rights and freedoms….that does not mean giving them up. We have lost our way. Bring back civics class. VOTE! and be willing to help US
about 3 years ago
One must not forget that everyone is under the law and that no one is above it. Not disagreeing with emotions here but sticking to the facts is an important aspect when conveying ones message across to others. Dog most likely forgot about his run in with the Mexican government in 2003, and as it is 2006 in which this arrest is made to the Chapman family. My belief is that the US government won’t extradite him to Mexico but most likely will be settled in court through a hefty sum. Because if you consider the elections that are coming up soon this event may very well boost peoples vote to the current Bush government if they can settle this disagreement between the Dog and the Mexican government without having to extradite him. However, for the moment they must follow the methods of law attaining to citizens of the US. So people, needless to say there is no reason for your harsh comments against Mexicans and what not.
They’ll tough it outand they’ll just get stronger once they’re out.
about 3 years ago
if bounty hunting is illeagel in mexico,then the US should frekin nuke them for all i care.Dam beaners
about 3 years ago
Shut the fuck up you white crackers. You all talk shit about Mexicans coming to this country but maybe if their honkey asses stayed in the states that wouldn’t have happened.
about 3 years ago
DOG SHOULD HAVE LEFT HIM IN MEXICO MAYBE HE WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAMETHING TO ONE OF THE MEXICAN MARSHALLS DAUGHTERS,WIFE OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM.I WAS PLANNING A TRIP TO MEXICO BUT I DONT WANT TO GO WHERE THEY ALLOW CRIMINALS TO HIDE OUT
about 3 years ago
This is mental! The world needs people like Dog, and its a disgrace that the US authorities aren’t making this “go away”.
Justice has been done, Mexico should just be told to give him a slap on the wrists , and told not to go to Mexico again.
All the best,
Ross
Scotland, UK
about 3 years ago
THIS PETITION IS NOW CLOSED — Dont bother signing it