HawaiiNews.com: Bounty hunter from Hawai`i held in Mexico

It was a Hawai`i-based bounty hunter that captured fugitive rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, earlier this week. But bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico, and now Duane Lee "Dog" Chapman is being held by Mexican authorities, who may charge him and his colleagues with kidnapping. Luster was quickly extradited to the U.S. and is now in a California prison, but according to a Reuters report, Chapman's partner here claims the federal government has abandoned the men who helped bring Luster to justice.

"He unselfishly sacrificed himself to make sure Andrew Luster was captured, and the United States has turned their back on him and has just left him there," Beth Smith, Chapman's partner, told Reuters.

A Honolulu Advertiser article printed in February detailed the start of Chapman's pursuit of Luster. Chapman, who has reportedly been in talks with CBS for a biographical made-for-TV movie, was hoping to collect 15 percent of Luster's $1 million bail.

He, two of his sons, and two members of a camera crew that had gone along to document Luster's capture are now in the custody of Puerto Vallarta police.

Chapman's website, DogTheBountyHunter.com, describes him as a "world-famous bounty hunter, media personality and speaker." The site — which still lists Luster as one of "Dog's Most Wanted Fugitives" — also recounts how he came to live in the islands.

Chapman was originally just stopping through, the site says, but he soon called his mother to say he was here to stay.

"Mom, I got off the plane and I smelled flowers. This local guy came up to me and said ‘I love you’ — it’s called aloha," Chapman recounts on the site. "Mom... this is heaven."

Chapman and Smith also run Da Kine Bail Bonds. The company offers kama`aina rates and 24-hour service and touts itself as "Hawaii's most experienced bail company." Chapman is listed as a "Master Rehabilitator" on its website, which is dedicated to his parents.

According to Reuters, Chapman served time in a Texas prison for murder in the 1970s but later swore he would not see the wrong side of the bars again. Smith said Chapman's top priority these days is his family — namely, his 12 children.

"He's just a dad," she told Reuters. "He's walked the straight and narrow for so many years."

Luster was convicted in abstentia in January of drugging and raping three women. The 39-year-old is the great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor.

let dog go he is not guilty of anything. he is protecting us from scum like andrew. keep up the good work guys I love you all.

Dear Beth and Dog,
I would like to take a minute to let you know that( Ben and Nicki Martinez) have you in our thought. The good lord will be behind you all the way for the two of you stand as one and are a good team as well as your kids and others that participate. Just remember you have got one less bad guy off the streets and many more to come. The Judges will see that. I will be looking forward ti watching your program on A&E.Keep your head up high.

i think that a crime has been commited by aressting a man who has nothing but the best intentions for our world and for our own country to turn there back on a man who does nothing but good is wrong.the goverment should open there eyes and realize this man has a family of his own with kids.the dog should be let free and have the us goverment behind him and suppoting him 100% of the way for that he has helped capture a rapist who was hinding outand who is the real criminal in the situation.what kind of message is this sending to the children that belive in our goverment,a person helps u out but oh well turn ur back on them, leave them as is i dont think so,the marshals and the goverment should help the chapmans fight all the way and show the goods of the chapmans that they are.I dint know that it was a crime to want to help better our world and our streets, thats all the man and his family try to do,this whole situation just isnt right.im not only a fan of the dog and his family but also a supporter.So will our goverment do the right thing and help free the man who tries his hardest to make a diffrence in peoples eyes and gives it his all to protect for all the children in the world and tries to inspire the children and adults in our world,i hope that they do help the chapmans,for that they give us there all.Beth u and your family stay strong and know that god is with all of yall and is looking down and he will answer all of ur prayers on helping the dog and all,he knows the good that yall do as a family.my prayers go out to u and your family member stay strong for u and your family trust me the dog can fell u in his heart through these times.FREE THE DOG HE HAS DONE NO WRONG GOD BLESS THE CHAPMAN FAMILY

Dear Dog, Beth, & family,
I hope that your faith is holding strong. I believe that it would be an absolute travisty if our government steps aside and allows the Mexican authorities to come in and treat one of our citizens in this manner. Dog, you are a hero and should be very proud of yourself. Tim & Leeland as well. You three stepped up and accomplished something that no one else could, in capturing Luster. I believe that the women of the world owe you a debt of gratitude for taking this monster off the streets. I would like to know if there is a petition I can sign insisting that our government step up and let the Mexican authorities know that we will not allow them to treat one of our own this way. Good luck, God speed and keep the faith.

I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE CHAPMANS THE FIRST TIME I WATCHED HIS SHOW AND AM PROUD THAT DOG, BETH, AND FAMILY ARE AMERICANS! THEY REINSTATED MY FAITH IN OUR FELLOW MAN. THEY ARE GOOD CHRISTIAN PEOPLE TAKING CRIMINALS OFF OUR STREETS, WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE DOG! HERE IN TEXAS, WE'RE BEHIND YOU 100% DOG, YOUR OUR JOHN WAYNE!!! MY LOCAL PAPER STATED THAT A BOUNTY HUNTER UP NORTH STARTED THIS BY BEING JEALOUS AND LOBBYING MEMBERS IN CONGRESS TO SEND DOG BACK TO MEXICO, ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT MAN SHOULD LOOK UP THE MEANING OF KARMA, WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES BACK AROUND. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DOG AND BETH.

MY FAMILY AND I ARE BEHIND U DOG AND YOUR FAMILY MY SON STAY'S OUT OF TROUBLE BECAUSE OF THE DOG AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE DOG AND HIS FAMILY THEY DID NOT COMMIT A CRIME THEY JUST GOT A BAD MAN OFF THE STREET'S AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT I HAVE A GIRL AND IF IT WAS ME I WOULD DO THE SAME AS THEY DID I WOULD PROTECT THE PEOPLE I LOVE TOO AND FOR DOG AND HIS FAMILY THE LOVE EVERYONE SO PLEASE HAVE IT IN YOUR HEART TO FREE THEM THEY ARE JUST PROTECTING PEOPLE LIKE US AND U FROM PEOLE LIKE ANDREW AND PEOPLE WHO WOULD SALE YOUR KID'S DRUG'S SO DOG AND BETH OUR PRAY'S ARE WITH U AND YOUR FAMILY....FROM THE COLE FAMILY IN LOGAN,WVA....KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK....

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