Monday, April 30, 2007

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 27, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 27, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "Spring is upon us now and the staff at AboutBail.com has been enjoying the sunshine, blooming flowers and this weeks bail news. This weeks newspapers, TV and other media have been filled with great bail news stories. From items about legislation to stories about bail professionals gone awry, here were our picks of the week:

Three Bail Bondsmen and a Police Lieutenant Indicted in New Haven
One month after being arrested, three bail bondsmen and a New Haven police lieutenant have been indicted by a grand jury on corruption charges. Officers William White and Justen Kasperzyk were both arrested and charged on various counts related to stealing government money. Charges against Kasperzyk are still pending, while White was indicted this past week. Following the arrests, New Haven police disbanded the narcotics unit that White headed. Bail bondsmen Robert Jacobs, Paul Jacobs and Philip Jacobs, were also arrested and charged with bribery conspiracy. The bondsmen offered White and other police officers bribes in order for the officers to track down bail skippers. (Connecticut - Hartford Courant, Apr. 25, 2007)"

Weekly paper fills mug shot hunger - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Weekly paper fills mug shot hunger - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "America loves a good mug shot. The more frizzed, frazzled and frantic, the better.

An Orlando entrepreneur has seized on that fascination, recently starting Jail, a weekly newspaper filled with nothing but the unflattering thumbnails. Page after page, with only a few ads in between.

'A mug shot is a couple notches below your driver's license picture,' said Devin James, 41, dressed casually in sweat pants, sneakers and a ball cap. 'And everyone takes a messed up driver's license picture.'

Mug shots have gained popularity online thanks to sites like The Smoking Gun, which feature arrest photos of professional athletes, musicians and Hollywood A-, B- and C-listers — Nick Nolte, Glen Campbell and Mel Gibson, among them.

In Jail, the stars are the readers' neighbors, charged with everything from drug possession to prostitution to murder.

Some mug shots beg for more detail, like the bare-chested man arrested and charged with burglary. Perhaps a shirt was one of the items he hoped to steal."

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 20, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 20, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "The AboutBail.com staff has had plenty of news to keep track of this week. From the conclusion of a high-profile trial to news of a new show of interest to bail professionals, here are the stories that caught our attention this week:

Campbells Convicted, Bail Bondsman in the Case Not Convicted
Jay Campbell, the former Lonoke chief of police and his wife, Kelly Campbell were convicted for a combined total of 50 charges in Lonoke County. Following a high-profile trial that had many questioning the way the bond and bail industry works, the Campbells were found guilty by a jury. Charges against the couple include conspiracy, theft of services, manufacture of methamphetamine, and other charges. This Tuesday, Jay Campbell was sentenced to a maximum of 315 years in prison, while his wife was sentenced to 303 years and one month. Bail bondsman Bobby Junior Cox had been implicated in some of the Campbells' activities, but his portion of the case was declared a mistrial. (Cabot Star-Herald, Apr. 18, 2007)"

Bail Bondsmen Accused Of Roughing Up Wrong Man

Bail Bondsmen Accused Of Roughing Up Wrong Man - News Story - WYFF Greenville: "Two bail bondsmen from North Carolina found themselves in police custody after a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation into an alleged incident that their accuser said happened more than a year ago.

Donald Carson, of Spartanburg, said he tried for 14 months to get the men arrested and accused them of trying to falsely arrest him.

Carson said in February 2006, four bail bondsmen came to his door."

Bondsman Out on Bond Allowed to Continue Writing Bonds, goodwin, bond, police

Top Stories: Bondsman Out on Bond Allowed to Continue Writing Bonds, goodwin, bond, police - NewsChannel 9: "A bail bondsman who police say admitted he shot and killed a woman earlier this month, is now out on bond, and writing bonds again for other people.

ABC bonding filed a petition on behalf of Floyd Heavy Goodwin just one day after Goodwin turned himself in and confessed to shooting 37-year-old mother of two Jillena Orr.

Goodwin turned himself in to police 36 hours after Jillena Orr was found lying in the street on April First, dying from a gunshot wound to the back.

Orr, who has a lengthy criminal record, including prostitution, died a short time later at Erlanger Medical Center.
"

Bail Bondsman Arrested For Shooting At Suspect

KSBI-TV - Home - Bail Bondsman Arrested For Shooting At Suspect: "Oklahoma City -- A man who usually helps others get out of jail is now in jail himself. Police say a bail bondsman shot at a suspect Friday morning. Witnesses say it shook up what's usually a quiet neighborhood.

Keisha Johnson thought Friday was going to be just another day at work. She was going about her daily routine when the morning took an interesting turn.

'Next think you know we hear gunshots and screaming and the next thing you know somebody took off running and more gunshots,' recalls Johnson.

Johnson works at Beauty World, next to the Rent-A-Center at Hefner and Pennsylvania Avenue, where the incident took place.

She later learned 37-year-old Howard Barnett shot at another man. The incident happened just before 10:00 a.m."

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

How Bail Bonds Work

American Chronicle: How Bail Bonds Work: "Without bail bonds, people who have been arrested are kept in jail until arraignment and possibly until trial. Arraignment is the hearing when the defendant is brought in front of a judge to hear the charges. While arraignment may be “only” three business days away, sometimes less, this can mean close to a week in jail waiting when weekends and holidays are considered. Jobs, homes and families suffer, not to mention the traumatic and frightening experience of incarceration.

Instead, most defendants post a bail bond so they can continue with their regular lives until the trial is finished. A bail bond is a guarantee that an individual defendant will return to court to stand trial. Here's how the process works:

Arrest and Booking

Once a person is arrested, he is taken to a local law enforcement station for booking. Depending on the size and workload of the jail, the booking process can take between one and 24 hours. Large, busy facilities take much longer than small ones. Small jails often transfer inmates to large, central facilities after a certain period of time.

When that happens, the inmate has to be booked into the larger facility, and the clock starts all over again. After the bail bond is posted, it may take the larger jail another 6 – 12 hours to complete all the release pro"

Bail bond industry pressured

The Connecticut Post Online - Bail bond industry pressured: "Connecticut's bail-bond industry could see major reforms this year as lawmakers attempt to better regulate what has become a wide-open business, where fierce competition has actually escalated the amount defendants pay to get out of jail.

The multimillion-dollar industry, in which defendants pay a small percentage of the actual amount of a court bond, is marred by agents confronting and undercutting each other in state courthouses.

On any weekday morning, bail-bond agents stand around the lobby of the Golden Hill Street courthouse in Bridgeport, pressing their business cards on families of defendants as they leave arraignment courtrooms.

Reformers within the industry want to ban bond agents from soliciting on any state property, including courthouses and police headquarters."

Legislation delayed over bond bill fight

Legislation delayed over bond bill fight: "A dispute over a proposed bail bond fee has stopped other local bills for Mobile County in the House of Representatives, and a resolution to the issue may not be coming soon.

State Rep. James Buskey, D-Mobile, has filed contests to six local bills because of concerns over legislation sponsored by state Rep. Jim Barton, R-Mobile. Barton's bill, HB 528, would impose a $25 processing fee on bail bonds, paid by the person charged with the offense. The revenue would go into the Mobile County Law Enforcement and Firefighters' Pension Fund.

Buskey said in an interview Friday that the pension fund was already funded through the Mobile Greyhound Park, and that the bill would require one group of people to pay for another."

Monday, April 16, 2007

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 13, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 13, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "The AboutBail.com staff have noticed a change in the air, and it's not just the milder temperatures that come with spring. Around the country, bail professionals are waking up to the news that new legislation may soon change the way agents do business. It could be a sign of the new visibility of bail bondsmen and agents. Whatever the cause, though, the industry is changing in Tennessee, Connecticut, and other states. The headlines that had us reading and talking this week were:

Connecticut's Bail Bond Industry Facing Changes
Connecticut's lawmakers want to pass new regulations and legislation that would affect the state's bail bond industry directly. Authorities claim that the bail bond industry in Connecticut is a multi-million dollar industry and pressure in the business has meant aggressive marketing tactics as well as increasing bail amounts. The proposed regulations would ban bail professionals from soliciting on state property - including courtrooms, police stations, and courthouses. The new legislation would also make it illegal for convicted felons to work as bail professionals and would ensure that the down payment on bonds would not be lowered - currently, some agents accept as low as 2% of a bail amount. The state may even introduce a forensic accounting program to keep track of financial trans"

Former bondsman's property sale on hold

MySA.com: Business: "The Bexar County district attorney's office has delayed the foreclosure sale of hundreds of properties belonging to Emerson Vance, formerly one of San Antonio's most successful bail bondsmen.

The vast real estate portfolio he used as collateral to issue bonds to criminal defendants still will be sold, though, said Adriana Biggs, the head of the white-collar crime division at the DA's office.

Vance owes the county $3.7 million for people who jumped bail.

Properties up for auction will include vacant lots, commercial property, multifamily units and single-family homes. More than 30 were scheduled for auction Tuesday but were withdrawn because they weren't drawing enough investor attention on their own, Biggs said."

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 6, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Apr., 6, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "This week, the AboutBail.com staff was busy talking about the New Haven bribery scandal, a case involving immigration bonds, and a great news story out of Ireland. Not to be missed this week: a story about a radio personality who approached a bail professional for a complete stranger. Here are the stories that kept us glued to the television and the newspapers this week:

Cops Fired Over Bail Bondsmen Bribe Scandal
A board of commissioners unanimously voted to terminate Lt. Billy White and Det. Justen Kasperzyk without benefits. Both men had hoped to retire after an FBI sting operation revealed allegations that the men were accepting bribes from bail bondsmen. Both officers have been charged. The ultimate decision as to whether the men will get to retire with benefits hinges on an April 12 meeting of the police and fire retirement board. (New Haven Independent, Apr. 5, 2007)"

Mistrial declared for bondsman

News: "Murder plots, arson jobs, drug setups, confidential informants and more missing drugs.

During the past week trial proceedings for the former Lonoke chief of police, his wife, and a bail bondsman have taken often times baffling twists and turns. Perhaps the most amazing was an alleged request to kill the prosecuting attorney and a witness. The testimony resulted in a mistrial for one defendant.

The events were part of the trial, being held at Cabot District Court, of former Lonoke chief of police Jay Campbell, his wife Kelly Harrison Campbell, and bail bondsman Bobby Cox."

Bail Bondsman Granted Mistrial

KATV Channel 7 - Bail Bondsman Granted Mistrial: "Bail Bondsman Bobby Cox has been granted a mistrial in the case that accused him on conspiring with former Lonoke Police Chief Jay Campbell in a continuing criminal enterprise.

Bobby Cox’s lawyer made a motion this morning to disqualify the Lonoke County prosecuting attorney’s office due to a conflict of interest. "

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Mar. 30, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, Mar. 30, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "This week, the AboutBail.com staff were all talking about Duane 'Dog' Chapman - his legal woes, his new show, and his supporters. We also couldn't help being reminded this week about the dangers - and temptations - that face bail professionals. Our top news story picks for the week are:

Fugitives Aren't Always the Biggest Danger to Bounty Hunters
An early-morning car crash in south Greeley on March 29 seriously injured a bounty hunter. Shawn Marsh of Denver was driving the vehicle when it crashed. He was identified by police as a bounty hunter. Marsh is currently in ICU. Two passengers in the car were bond enforcement officers while two other passengers were apparently in the car to learn about bounty hunting."

Clean Up The Bail Mess

courant.com | Clean Up The Bail Mess: "If the latest scandal does not inspire legislative leaders to straighten out the bail bond industry, we'd like to know what it will take.

Earlier this month, three New Haven bail bondsmen, Robert Jacobs and his sons Paul and Philip, were arrested by federal authorities and charged with bribery conspiracy for allegedly paying New Haven police officers to hunt down criminal defendants who had skipped on bonds the Jacobses had posted. Two police officers were also arrested.

The arrests seemed to answer a question raised in a stinging 2003 report on the state's bail bond industry by the General Assembly's Program Review and Investigations Committee. "

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

One Bail Bond Company Considering Changes

Boise, Idaho News, Weather & Traffic - KTRV FOX 12 - One Bail Bond Company Considering Changes: "We now know exactly how a Meridian bail bondsman and his client -- who was involved in a gun battle with police -- died. They were killed by a single gunshot to the head.

Other bail agents are re-considering how they run their business, so as to not find themselves in a similar deadly situation.

'He called all weekend. He called four or five times. Monday, he called again,' said Staci Freeman-Madron, who owns Staci's Bail Bonds in Caldwell.

Freeman-Madron is talking about Anthony Joseph Bosworth, 30. He was killed in a police shootout Wednesday after murdering his bail bondsman, Joshua Schmidt, 30.

Schmidt worked for Advantage Bail Bonds and was apparently only a bondsman for a week before being shot to death. It all began Tuesday afternoon, when Schmidt bailed Bosworth out of jail.

'Both Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Bosworth were at a bank in Meridian trying to cash a check. We believe that check was money to pay for the bond,' said Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney."

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Murdered Bondsman's Friends Set Up Memorial Fund

Boise, Idaho News, Weather & Traffic - KTRV FOX 12 - Murdered Bondsman's Friends Set Up Memorial Fund: "Friends are rallying together behind the family of a murdered bail bondsman.

The person responsible for killing him is believed to be his client, Anthony Bosworth, 30.

After allegedly shooting him to death, Bosworth dumped Joshua Schmidt's body in the desert off I-84 and Simco Road.

Friends say Schmidt and his wife, Lisa, are newlyweds and Lisa had recently gotten pregnant.

After his death, one of Schmidt's friends wanted to do something to help the family, so he established a memorial fund in their name."

One Bail Bond Company Considering Changes

Boise, Idaho News, Weather & Traffic - KTRV FOX 12 - One Bail Bond Company Considering Changes: "We now know exactly how a Meridian bail bondsman and his client -- who was involved in a gun battle with police -- died. They were killed by a single gunshot to the head.

Other bail agents are re-considering how they run their business, so as to not find themselves in a similar deadly situation.

'He called all weekend. He called four or five times. Monday, he called again,' said Staci Freeman-Madron, who owns Staci's Bail Bonds in Caldwell.

Freeman-Madron is talking about Anthony Joseph Bosworth, 30. He was killed in a police shootout Wednesday after murdering his bail bondsman, Joshua Schmidt, 30.

Schmidt worked for Advantage Bail Bonds and was apparently only a bondsman for a week before being shot to death. It all began Tuesday afternoon, when Schmidt bailed Bosworth out of jail."

Autopsy: Bondsman killed by gunshot to head

Autopsy: Bondsman killed by gunshot to head | KTVB.COM | Boise, Idaho News, Weather, Sports & Traffic | IDAHO NEWS: "A Meridian bail bondsman died from a single gunshot wound to the head. That’s the finding of Elmore County Coroner Jerry Rost who conducted an autopsy today on the victim Joshua Schmidt.

Police believe Schmidt was shot to death Tuesday afternoon in the cab of his pickup truck by Anthony Bosworth II of Star. Earlier that day, Schmidt had posted bond to get Bosworth out of the Ada County Jail.

The two men then went to the Pioneer Federal Credit Union in Meridian to cash a check, but were denied. They then drove to Mountain Home but the bank had already closed for the day.

Schmidt’s body was dumped off Simco Road near Interstate 84. Bosworth was driving his bloody truck when confronted by police."

Bail Bond Business scrutinized

Wtnh.com, Connecticut News and Weather - Bail Bond Business scrutinized: "Last week's corruption arrests included three bail bondsmen sparking a renewed call to overhaul the industry.

Lawmakers shot down reform proposals a few years ago. Even after a report found unregulated bail bond businesses may be cashin'in.

The bail bond industry has been under the microscope for several years. And there's a reform bill going through the legislature right now. Whether it will be passed is unclear. But the bondsman you are about to meet believes something must be done before it's too late. It is a lucrative business. Licensed bail bondsman put up the money and the defendant promises to appear in court.

'Some are making a lot of money.'

This bail bondsman has been in the industry for many years. He asked that we keep his identity secret because he doesn't want to become a target.

'I'm not a target now I don't want to become one and my safety could be at risk.'"

Bail Bond Industry Facing Crackdown

courant.com | Bail Bond Industry Facing Crackdown: "Lawmakers are calling for more stringent oversight of the state's bail bond industry following last week's arrest of three prominent bail bondsmen accused of bribing a New Haven police officer.

One of those three people facing federal bribery charges, Paul Jacobs, 48, led a fierce lobbying campaign against the reforms when they were first proposed and ultimately rejected by state lawmakers three years ago.

The reforms would move oversight of the bail bond industry from the Department of Insurance to the Department of Public Safety. Critics have charged that the insurance department has not adequately enforced state bail bond laws.

A 2004 legislative review of the industry, prompted by a series of stories in The Courant, found the largely unregulated bail bond businesses rampant with illegal and unprofessional pricing and business practices. "