According to televised reports, one suspect is being held in Denver City Jail and the other three are being held in the Arapahoe County Jail.
The suspects were wanted on meth or fraud warrants.
Monday, September 15, 2008
"Dog" Arrests 4 in Colorado
Bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman has arrested four people wanted in Mesa County. The suspects were found in Aurora.
According to televised reports, one suspect is being held in Denver City Jail and the other three are being held in the Arapahoe County Jail.
The suspects were wanted on meth or fraud warrants.
According to televised reports, one suspect is being held in Denver City Jail and the other three are being held in the Arapahoe County Jail.
The suspects were wanted on meth or fraud warrants.
State to Probe Reliability of GPS Tracking
Hours after a prosecutor dropped violation of probation charges against convicted serial rapist David Pollitt that were based on a faulty GPS reading, judicial officials said they'd investigate the reliability of the monitoring system for which the state pays a contractor nearly $1 million a year.
Pollitt, 55, was arrested Wednesday on charges that he violated the terms of his probation. Pollitt has been staying with his sister in Southbury since his release from prison last fall. He had been convicted in a series of sexual assaults and had to wear a GPS monitoring device on his right ankle as a condition of his release.
After his arrest Wednesday, Pollitt's family paid about $7,500 to a bail bondsman to post $100,000 bail. Pollitt was released until a court appearance Friday in New London.
That's where New London State's Attorney Michael Regan told Judge Susan B. Handy the arrest warrant was based on faulty data from the contractor that provides GPS monitoring services to the state.
"The GPS system was not functioning properly at the time [of] the reading," Regan said. "In light of what probation has stated to me, I'm going to withdraw that warrant."
Pollitt, 55, was arrested Wednesday on charges that he violated the terms of his probation. Pollitt has been staying with his sister in Southbury since his release from prison last fall. He had been convicted in a series of sexual assaults and had to wear a GPS monitoring device on his right ankle as a condition of his release.
After his arrest Wednesday, Pollitt's family paid about $7,500 to a bail bondsman to post $100,000 bail. Pollitt was released until a court appearance Friday in New London.
That's where New London State's Attorney Michael Regan told Judge Susan B. Handy the arrest warrant was based on faulty data from the contractor that provides GPS monitoring services to the state.
"The GPS system was not functioning properly at the time [of] the reading," Regan said. "In light of what probation has stated to me, I'm going to withdraw that warrant."
Australian Refused Bail in "Bizarre and Evil" Religious Sexual Assault Charges
An Australian churchgoer accused of sexually assaulting a woman during prayer sessions meant to lift a black magic curse on her was refused bail Sunday, it was reported.
A magistrate described the allegations against 61-year-old Sydney man Tony Golossian as "bizarre and evil" and declined to grant him bail, Australian Associated Press reported.
"Having read the allegations ... I must say that if this is proven it would be one of the most bizarre and evil cases I have come across in more than 40 years," magistrate Graham Johnson told a court in Sydney's western suburbs.
Golossian has been charged with more than 150 offences dating from 2001 to 2005.
New South Wales police alleged the woman approached Golossian, who claimed to be a senior member of the Coptic Orthodox church, for spiritual cleansing believing she had been cursed by a member of Sydney's Greek community.
Police alleged she was blindfolded and sexually assaulted at "prayer sessions" that took place at various hotels around western Sydney.
A magistrate described the allegations against 61-year-old Sydney man Tony Golossian as "bizarre and evil" and declined to grant him bail, Australian Associated Press reported.
"Having read the allegations ... I must say that if this is proven it would be one of the most bizarre and evil cases I have come across in more than 40 years," magistrate Graham Johnson told a court in Sydney's western suburbs.
Golossian has been charged with more than 150 offences dating from 2001 to 2005.
New South Wales police alleged the woman approached Golossian, who claimed to be a senior member of the Coptic Orthodox church, for spiritual cleansing believing she had been cursed by a member of Sydney's Greek community.
Police alleged she was blindfolded and sexually assaulted at "prayer sessions" that took place at various hotels around western Sydney.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
In the UK, Sparks Fly Over Bail
More than one-in-three crimes in the North-east are being committed by bail bandits, the Evening Express can reveal today.
Latest figures show that 3,498 crimes were dealt with by the courts in 2006/7.
And out of those a staggering 1,261 involved people who were on bail.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, bail bandits accounted for 14 out of the 66 serious assaults, and nearly half of all robberies – 20 out of 43.
Recent offenders include Debbie Buchan, who was involved in the horrific killing of Laura Milne in Aberdeen back in December last year.
Buchan viciously attacked her helpless victim before 22-year-old Stuart Jack slit her throat.
Buchan admitted attempting to murder Laura by punching and kicking her on her head and body, forcing her to the floor, and repeatedly stamping on her.
Just two months earlier, the 19-year-old had been found guilty of holding a blade to a man’s throat – but was freed while she awaited sentencing.
Today Laura’s father Brian called for a tightening up of the bail system, which can allow violent offenders to be left free in the community while awaiting trial or sentencing, or while they appeal a conviction.
He said: “People shouldn’t be let out if they’ve held a knife against somebody’s throat.
“They keep saying they’re trying to stop this knife crime, but this is not helping anybody.
“The bit I can’t get my head round is that she was let out like it was a minor crime.”
In 2003 two men went on to kill in Aberdeen while out on bail.
Mark Lindsay was convicted of stabbing 51-year-old Michael McGuire in Mastrick.
He had been released pending an appeal after being jailed for four years for crimes including assault.
And Lawrence Davidson was convicted of bludgeoning to death Aberdeen grandad Stanley Tawse after luring him to his Rose Street flat.
Davidson was out on bail after being accused of attacking an 82-year-old pensioner who later died.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that of 3,130 crimes dealt with by Aberdeen Sheriff Court in 2006/7, 939 involved people who had been on bail at the time.
This included more than half of shoplifters (300 out of 580), one in three house-breakers (69 out of 206) and one-in-three thieves who targeted vehicles (58 out of 168).
And one-in-five crimes of handling an offensive weapon (26 out of 130) were down to bail bandits.
In rural areas it was a similar pattern.
In 2006/7, bail bandits were responsible for 37 out 208 crimes dealt with in Banff, 166 out of 815 in Elgin, 113 out of 496 in Peterhead, and six out of 110 in Stonehaven.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Legislation to tighten the law was brought into force in December, including increased maximum sentences for breaching bail conditions.
“An accused who breaches their bail now has no excuse – the effect of their bail conditions will have been explained to them when granted bail, including the penalties available if they breach their conditions.
“Tough enforcement action, including increased maximum sentences for bail breach, will send a clear message that bail breaches will not be tolerated.
“We want to see greater consistency and rigour in the overall use of bail and believe that the new measures – which are part of wide-ranging reforms to our criminal courts – can help achieve this.
“If a court thinks an accused should be remanded because, for example, they have a poor record of breaching bail, then the court should remand them to protect the public.
“And the courts have indeed been remanding more people than before.”
Bail Laws Create Problems
The Law Society of New South Wales says tough bail laws introduced last year need to be reconsidered because they are causing overcrowding in the state's juvenile detention centres.
The laws restrict the number of times people can apply for bail for serious offences and place a presumption against bail on certain crimes.
Since the legislation was introduced, about half of all juvenile prisoners are being kept in jail on remand - meaning they have been denied bail, but not yet convicted in court.
The NSW Law Society's president, Hugh Macken, has told the ABC's Background Briefing it shows the bail laws are counterproductive.
"We would like to have the matter revisited," he said.
"Clearly the statistics might show the Government that perhaps it hasn't worked quite as they intended to work, and they can revisit this issue without necessarily go back to an earlier system."
You can hear more on that story on Radio National's Background Briefing on Sunday at 9:00am (AEST).
The laws restrict the number of times people can apply for bail for serious offences and place a presumption against bail on certain crimes.
Since the legislation was introduced, about half of all juvenile prisoners are being kept in jail on remand - meaning they have been denied bail, but not yet convicted in court.
The NSW Law Society's president, Hugh Macken, has told the ABC's Background Briefing it shows the bail laws are counterproductive.
"We would like to have the matter revisited," he said.
"Clearly the statistics might show the Government that perhaps it hasn't worked quite as they intended to work, and they can revisit this issue without necessarily go back to an earlier system."
You can hear more on that story on Radio National's Background Briefing on Sunday at 9:00am (AEST).
Bounty Hunters Dogged By Image of Glamour Job
Leather jackets, long hair, a fleet of SUVs and a film crew are not standard gear for local bounty hunters.
But if your name is Duane “Dog” Chapman and you are the star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” on A&E, then by all means bring the bling and let the cameras roll.
By contrast, local bondsmen — and women — say they try to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Some are upset Chapman has landed in western Colorado, while others are a bit more appreciative, even lending the Dog a helping hand.
“I think he is glamorizing this like it is a fun job,” said Fred Schultz, 51, of AKA Bail Bonds in Rifle. “In all the time I have been bounty hunting and bail bonding, I have had one fight. It wasn’t all this drama. It is like he is the Jerry Springer of bounty hunting.”
Alma Krabbe, 54, owner of Mr. C’s Bail Bonds, said Dog making headlines in the local press is making her life more dangerous.
“It is putting us all at risk because (wanted people) are all in hiding,” Krabbe said. “Now they are just scared, so now we are going to have problems. He is going to come in and do his little thing and just leave, and we are going to be stuck with a big mess. A lot of (local fugitives) are leaving the state because he, the Dog, needs to find them for his show.”
There is some question as to whether Chapman and his posse are still in town, or even in the state.
“To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Chapman left Mesa County shortly after he left the Justice Center (Wednesday),” Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said. “I don’t think Mr. Chapman is here, and I don’t think he is looking for anybody in this county.”
At least two local bounty hunters said they have been in communication with Dog and his associates Friday.
“It is my man that he is looking for,” said Dean Hergenrader, 38, owner of AA Bail Bonds in Montrose and Bail-Ya Bail Bonds in Grand Junction. “He missed court, I’m guessing approximately 100 days ago. I don’t remember the charges.”
Hergenrader said he dropped off paperwork Friday with one of Dog’s associates on his bail jumper, for whom he posted a $40,000-plus bond.
Now Hergenrader is on the hook for that amount. If his insurance company pays off the bond, it could come after him for compensation, he said.
That’s the nature of the beast. Bondsmen can charge customers up to 15 percent of their bond, but to make money, those people have to show up in court. So, to be a successful bondsman, it pays to get as much information on clients as possible before posting bond, said Nancee White, 47, owner of Extreme and Goods Bail Bonds.
“I can usually tell when a person is going to take off just by their handwriting,” she said.
If the people are evasive and offer little personal information on their bond application, that’s a good indication they may jump bail, White said. When that happens, she has a deep-rooted network, like any good bondsman, to ferret out leads on peoples’ whereabouts.
Dog knows this and that’s why he’s been in touch with White, she said.
“I’ve been speaking with Dog. I’ve been on the phone with him all morning,” White said Friday. “He knows he can not infiltrate this area without local help.”
Dog has a standing offer to pick up, for free, anyone a local bondsman is having trouble apprehending, White said.
“My feeling is that they are out of episodes, and that is why they are here,” she said. “Why else would they be out here?”
But if your name is Duane “Dog” Chapman and you are the star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” on A&E, then by all means bring the bling and let the cameras roll.
By contrast, local bondsmen — and women — say they try to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Some are upset Chapman has landed in western Colorado, while others are a bit more appreciative, even lending the Dog a helping hand.
“I think he is glamorizing this like it is a fun job,” said Fred Schultz, 51, of AKA Bail Bonds in Rifle. “In all the time I have been bounty hunting and bail bonding, I have had one fight. It wasn’t all this drama. It is like he is the Jerry Springer of bounty hunting.”
Alma Krabbe, 54, owner of Mr. C’s Bail Bonds, said Dog making headlines in the local press is making her life more dangerous.
“It is putting us all at risk because (wanted people) are all in hiding,” Krabbe said. “Now they are just scared, so now we are going to have problems. He is going to come in and do his little thing and just leave, and we are going to be stuck with a big mess. A lot of (local fugitives) are leaving the state because he, the Dog, needs to find them for his show.”
There is some question as to whether Chapman and his posse are still in town, or even in the state.
“To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Chapman left Mesa County shortly after he left the Justice Center (Wednesday),” Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said. “I don’t think Mr. Chapman is here, and I don’t think he is looking for anybody in this county.”
At least two local bounty hunters said they have been in communication with Dog and his associates Friday.
“It is my man that he is looking for,” said Dean Hergenrader, 38, owner of AA Bail Bonds in Montrose and Bail-Ya Bail Bonds in Grand Junction. “He missed court, I’m guessing approximately 100 days ago. I don’t remember the charges.”
Hergenrader said he dropped off paperwork Friday with one of Dog’s associates on his bail jumper, for whom he posted a $40,000-plus bond.
Now Hergenrader is on the hook for that amount. If his insurance company pays off the bond, it could come after him for compensation, he said.
That’s the nature of the beast. Bondsmen can charge customers up to 15 percent of their bond, but to make money, those people have to show up in court. So, to be a successful bondsman, it pays to get as much information on clients as possible before posting bond, said Nancee White, 47, owner of Extreme and Goods Bail Bonds.
“I can usually tell when a person is going to take off just by their handwriting,” she said.
If the people are evasive and offer little personal information on their bond application, that’s a good indication they may jump bail, White said. When that happens, she has a deep-rooted network, like any good bondsman, to ferret out leads on peoples’ whereabouts.
Dog knows this and that’s why he’s been in touch with White, she said.
“I’ve been speaking with Dog. I’ve been on the phone with him all morning,” White said Friday. “He knows he can not infiltrate this area without local help.”
Dog has a standing offer to pick up, for free, anyone a local bondsman is having trouble apprehending, White said.
“My feeling is that they are out of episodes, and that is why they are here,” she said. “Why else would they be out here?”
Actor Accused of Stabbing Faces Reduced Bail
A California judge has reduced by millions the bail amount of the Indian-origin U.S. actor Shelley Malil, who is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend.
The 43-year-old actor allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend Kendra Beebe more than 20 times at her home in San Diego, California, last month.
A veteran Hollywood actor best known for his performance in the hit 2005 comedy “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” Malil was being held on $10 million bail and on Friday, a Superior Court judge reduced it to $3 million.
Malil’s attorney, Steve Meiser, argued that the higher figure was unreasonable and that his client was not a flight risk.
Malil pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder, with a special circumstance of premeditation and one count of personal use of a knife and inflicting great bodily injury.
Lawyers for Beebe, 35, claim their client sustained life-threatening stab wounds to her lungs and throat but prosecutors said she was expected to recover.
Malil faces life in prison if convicted of all charges. He is next due in court on Oct 3 for a status hearing. The actor, was born in Kerala in 1964 and migrated to U.S. at the age of 10, has played a supporting role in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” besides appearing in dozens of TV shows including “NYPD Blue” and “Scrubs.”
The 43-year-old actor allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend Kendra Beebe more than 20 times at her home in San Diego, California, last month.
A veteran Hollywood actor best known for his performance in the hit 2005 comedy “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” Malil was being held on $10 million bail and on Friday, a Superior Court judge reduced it to $3 million.
Malil’s attorney, Steve Meiser, argued that the higher figure was unreasonable and that his client was not a flight risk.
Malil pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder, with a special circumstance of premeditation and one count of personal use of a knife and inflicting great bodily injury.
Lawyers for Beebe, 35, claim their client sustained life-threatening stab wounds to her lungs and throat but prosecutors said she was expected to recover.
Malil faces life in prison if convicted of all charges. He is next due in court on Oct 3 for a status hearing. The actor, was born in Kerala in 1964 and migrated to U.S. at the age of 10, has played a supporting role in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” besides appearing in dozens of TV shows including “NYPD Blue” and “Scrubs.”
Mother of Missing Girl Gets Bail - Again
Casey Anthony, mother of missing toddler Caylee Marie Anthony, will be released from jail for a second time Friday after her parents made new arrangements for her half-million-dollar bail on a child-neglect charge.
Bond documents show that George and Cynthia "Cindy" Anthony put up the collateral to obtain their daughter’s freedom. The paperwork did not explain the source of the collateral but said the couple signed off on a "promissory note indemnity agreement" — essentially a contract that requires the parents to repay the bondsman for any losses.
A public-relations firm that represents Casey Anthony’s attorney, Jose Baez, issued a statement saying that said an "individual" who wishes to remain anonymous posted bond for Anthony because of concern that her constitutional rights have been violated.
"She is going home," said Todd Black of Press Corps Media.
Anthony, 22, will live with her parents at their southeast Orange County, Fla., home and must wear an electronic monitor at all times, Orange County jail officials said.
This will be her second shot at freedom. Anthony, whose 3-year-old daughter was reported missing more than seven weeks ago, was released Aug. 21 on similar terms but was rearrested Aug. 29 and jailed on bad-check charges. Her previous bail bondsman then revoked her bail on charges of child-neglect and giving false information to authorities.
Jail officials said Thursday that bond had been arranged on all the charges. Bond companies combined forces to meet the $500,000 bail for child neglect, the most serious offenses with which she is charged.
Anthony has told investigators she left the child with a baby sitter, who cannot be found. Investigators have disclosed that tests of air samples from the trunk of the abandoned car she drove detected gases from human decomposition, and that traces of chloroform also were found. The lead investigator in the case has said there was a body in the trunk and that it likely was Caylee’s.
Earlier Thursday, Cindy Anthony blasted Texas EquuSearch, the volunteer search-and-recovery team the family summoned to find the toddler.
The grandmother complained that the group’s founder, Tim Miller, had suggested that Caylee might be dead, accused Cindy Anthony of not cooperating with the search and didn’t spend enough time with Caylee’s family. She maintained that Miller agreed to look for a living child, not a dead one.
"It is evident his motives were to obtain publicity for his organization at the expense of exploiting my granddaughter’s disappearance," Anthony said in a release sent by a family representative. "Although I feel his organization has a purpose, his misrepresentation has tainted the efforts of so many people with good intentions."
Miller said he is working hard to find Caylee Marie, alive or dead. He has been searching for the missing child’s possible remains in Orange County since Aug. 29.
"We are holding onto that little bit of hope that Caylee is still alive," Miller said. "But if not, it’s important that her little body is found."
EquuSearch, along with volunteers and the Sheriff’s Office, have combed about 15 square miles since the search began, but not all areas have been completely cleared, Miller said. Heavy rains have made some places impassible or difficult to search.
More than 100 volunteers were looking for the child Thursday, Miller said.
In other news related to the case, George and Cindy Anthony have enlisted high-profile Orlando defense attorney Mark NeJame to help them with intense media scrutiny and refocus attention on the search for Caylee, NeJame said Thursday.
"They’ve been maligned, and I think there’s been just a real mischaracterization of them in the media and on the Internet," he said. "People have completely lost sight of the fact that they are victims."
Bond documents show that George and Cynthia "Cindy" Anthony put up the collateral to obtain their daughter’s freedom. The paperwork did not explain the source of the collateral but said the couple signed off on a "promissory note indemnity agreement" — essentially a contract that requires the parents to repay the bondsman for any losses.
A public-relations firm that represents Casey Anthony’s attorney, Jose Baez, issued a statement saying that said an "individual" who wishes to remain anonymous posted bond for Anthony because of concern that her constitutional rights have been violated.
"She is going home," said Todd Black of Press Corps Media.
Anthony, 22, will live with her parents at their southeast Orange County, Fla., home and must wear an electronic monitor at all times, Orange County jail officials said.
This will be her second shot at freedom. Anthony, whose 3-year-old daughter was reported missing more than seven weeks ago, was released Aug. 21 on similar terms but was rearrested Aug. 29 and jailed on bad-check charges. Her previous bail bondsman then revoked her bail on charges of child-neglect and giving false information to authorities.
Jail officials said Thursday that bond had been arranged on all the charges. Bond companies combined forces to meet the $500,000 bail for child neglect, the most serious offenses with which she is charged.
Anthony has told investigators she left the child with a baby sitter, who cannot be found. Investigators have disclosed that tests of air samples from the trunk of the abandoned car she drove detected gases from human decomposition, and that traces of chloroform also were found. The lead investigator in the case has said there was a body in the trunk and that it likely was Caylee’s.
Earlier Thursday, Cindy Anthony blasted Texas EquuSearch, the volunteer search-and-recovery team the family summoned to find the toddler.
The grandmother complained that the group’s founder, Tim Miller, had suggested that Caylee might be dead, accused Cindy Anthony of not cooperating with the search and didn’t spend enough time with Caylee’s family. She maintained that Miller agreed to look for a living child, not a dead one.
"It is evident his motives were to obtain publicity for his organization at the expense of exploiting my granddaughter’s disappearance," Anthony said in a release sent by a family representative. "Although I feel his organization has a purpose, his misrepresentation has tainted the efforts of so many people with good intentions."
Miller said he is working hard to find Caylee Marie, alive or dead. He has been searching for the missing child’s possible remains in Orange County since Aug. 29.
"We are holding onto that little bit of hope that Caylee is still alive," Miller said. "But if not, it’s important that her little body is found."
EquuSearch, along with volunteers and the Sheriff’s Office, have combed about 15 square miles since the search began, but not all areas have been completely cleared, Miller said. Heavy rains have made some places impassible or difficult to search.
More than 100 volunteers were looking for the child Thursday, Miller said.
In other news related to the case, George and Cindy Anthony have enlisted high-profile Orlando defense attorney Mark NeJame to help them with intense media scrutiny and refocus attention on the search for Caylee, NeJame said Thursday.
"They’ve been maligned, and I think there’s been just a real mischaracterization of them in the media and on the Internet," he said. "People have completely lost sight of the fact that they are victims."
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Padilla Questions Decision to Post Casey Anthony's Bond
Bounty hunter Leonard Padilla now questions his decision to bail Casey Anthony out of jail.
On Tuesday night, he told CNN's Nancy Grace he doesn't think he would have posted the $500,000 bond for her freedom if he had read newly-released documents beforehand.
He told Grace, "After reading it, I don't believe I would have talked my nephew Tony Padilla into posting the bond. And I don't think I would have come to Orlando after reading that. I
mean, I'm still hoping that little girl's alive, but there's a lot of information in those 400 pages that would lead those people to believe something different."
The documents paint an unflattering picture of the Orlando mother. Some of the most negative opinions of Anthony come from her own family and friends. Anthony's mother Cindy called her daughter a "sociopath".
In a written statement to police, Anthony's father said she was very vague when he asked about his granddaughter, Caylee, saying:
"Each time we have asked to see her... my daughter would always have a different answer."
On Tuesday night, he told CNN's Nancy Grace he doesn't think he would have posted the $500,000 bond for her freedom if he had read newly-released documents beforehand.
He told Grace, "After reading it, I don't believe I would have talked my nephew Tony Padilla into posting the bond. And I don't think I would have come to Orlando after reading that. I
mean, I'm still hoping that little girl's alive, but there's a lot of information in those 400 pages that would lead those people to believe something different."
The documents paint an unflattering picture of the Orlando mother. Some of the most negative opinions of Anthony come from her own family and friends. Anthony's mother Cindy called her daughter a "sociopath".
In a written statement to police, Anthony's father said she was very vague when he asked about his granddaughter, Caylee, saying:
"Each time we have asked to see her... my daughter would always have a different answer."
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Bondsman Thwarts Plot to Blow Up County Building
A Northern California man is in jail tonight, suspected of planning to blow up a county building in Yreka.
46-year-old Michael Solano of Sacramento is under arrest.
Police say he was found with a large amount of weapons, ammunition and homemade bombs.
Police believe Solano may have intended to blow up the Siskiyou County Probation building. He had been arrested before, for having an explosive device in his car at the probation building in July. He missed his court date in Yreka on Tuesday.
When police stopped Solano in a Yreka neighborhood, they were shocked by what they found.
Brett Duncan was there, and he still can't believe what happened in the quiet neighborhood Tuesday evening.
"My gut instinct whatever was happening just wasn't right," Duncan said.
As he was leaving work, Duncan noticed a suspicious car parked in front of the Siskiyou County Probation Department. He is a bail bondsman and recognized the driver, Michael Solano, a Sacramento man he had posted bail for.
Duncan called police and when officers stopped Solano's car, they say Solano reached for his gun. The officers struggled to get the gun out of Solano's hand - that's when Duncan sprung into action.
"I ran over to area grabbed Mr. Solano's arm and held it down pointing toward the ground," he said.
Police say they handcuffed Solano, and he kept screaming for officers to kill him.
They found a pipe bomb attached to his leg. Inside his car, they found all this.
70 loaded magazines, 4,000 rounds of ammunition, assault rifles with silencers along with day and night surveillance equipment.
"This guy was going to reign war on Yreka, without citizens that assisted in this situation, I feel incident wouldn't have gone as well and somebody would have gotten seriously injured or killed," said Chief Brian Bowles, of the Yreka Police Department.
"Reflecting back on it I guess it would frighten anyone who realized you were sitting so close to a carload of bombs," said Duncan.
When police discovered Solano had a pipe bomb at tached to his leg, they surrounding area was immediately evacuated. Residents say they were kept out of their homes for several hours.
Gary Giles watched the incident from his porch.
"It was pretty scary when they told us we had to leave the area, they started going door to door," Giles said.
Duncan says he was just in the right place at the right time.
"I don't know how would have occurred what would have I'm glad I didn't have to find out," Giles said.
After Solano was taken into custody, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office' bomb squad was brought in.
17 improvised explosive devices were taken to the Siskiyou County Airport area to be destroyed.
Solano faces charges of possession and transportation of destruction device, assault with a fire arm on police officer and attempting to take an officers firearm.
Chief Bowles says the case is still under investigation, they say they are still examining some other material inside the vehicle to try to figure out why he was there. Solano is being held on $2 million bail at the Siskiyou County Jail.
46-year-old Michael Solano of Sacramento is under arrest.
Police say he was found with a large amount of weapons, ammunition and homemade bombs.
Police believe Solano may have intended to blow up the Siskiyou County Probation building. He had been arrested before, for having an explosive device in his car at the probation building in July. He missed his court date in Yreka on Tuesday.
When police stopped Solano in a Yreka neighborhood, they were shocked by what they found.
Brett Duncan was there, and he still can't believe what happened in the quiet neighborhood Tuesday evening.
"My gut instinct whatever was happening just wasn't right," Duncan said.
As he was leaving work, Duncan noticed a suspicious car parked in front of the Siskiyou County Probation Department. He is a bail bondsman and recognized the driver, Michael Solano, a Sacramento man he had posted bail for.
Duncan called police and when officers stopped Solano's car, they say Solano reached for his gun. The officers struggled to get the gun out of Solano's hand - that's when Duncan sprung into action.
"I ran over to area grabbed Mr. Solano's arm and held it down pointing toward the ground," he said.
Police say they handcuffed Solano, and he kept screaming for officers to kill him.
They found a pipe bomb attached to his leg. Inside his car, they found all this.
70 loaded magazines, 4,000 rounds of ammunition, assault rifles with silencers along with day and night surveillance equipment.
"This guy was going to reign war on Yreka, without citizens that assisted in this situation, I feel incident wouldn't have gone as well and somebody would have gotten seriously injured or killed," said Chief Brian Bowles, of the Yreka Police Department.
"Reflecting back on it I guess it would frighten anyone who realized you were sitting so close to a carload of bombs," said Duncan.
When police discovered Solano had a pipe bomb at tached to his leg, they surrounding area was immediately evacuated. Residents say they were kept out of their homes for several hours.
Gary Giles watched the incident from his porch.
"It was pretty scary when they told us we had to leave the area, they started going door to door," Giles said.
Duncan says he was just in the right place at the right time.
"I don't know how would have occurred what would have I'm glad I didn't have to find out," Giles said.
After Solano was taken into custody, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office' bomb squad was brought in.
17 improvised explosive devices were taken to the Siskiyou County Airport area to be destroyed.
Solano faces charges of possession and transportation of destruction device, assault with a fire arm on police officer and attempting to take an officers firearm.
Chief Bowles says the case is still under investigation, they say they are still examining some other material inside the vehicle to try to figure out why he was there. Solano is being held on $2 million bail at the Siskiyou County Jail.
Bail Bondsmen to Be Pleads Not Guilty in Obama Threat Case
A man who prosecutors said threatened to assassinate presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama pleaded not guilty Wednesday before a federal magistrate, officials said.
Raymond Hunter Geisel told classmates at a training seminar that he would kill Obama if Obama were elected president, according to a law enforcement official.
An affidavit filed by a Secret Service agent in U.S. District Court claims that Geisel, of Marathon, Florida, threatened to "kill, kidnap and cause bodily harm upon a major candidate for president of the United States, that is, Senator Barack Obama."
The threats came in early August, just days before Obama was scheduled to visit Florida, and were made by "a person discovered to have ammunition, a handgun and other weapons," authorities said.
Geisel is being held without bail.
A search of Geisel's vehicle and a hotel room in Miami, where Geisel was attending a bail bondsman training class, found a 9 mm handgun, ammunition that included armor-piercing and rifle bullets, police-style emergency lights, body armor, a machete and two canisters of tear gas, among other military-style items, according to the document.
Agents say that classmates of Geisel reported that, between July 25-28, Geisel used a racial slur toward Obama and said "if he gets elected, I'll assassinate him myself."
A classmate said that, one day after class, she also heard Geisel say "that he hated George W. Bush and that he wanted to put a bullet in the president's head."
Obama made several campaign stops in Florida the day before federal agents arrested Geisel at a Holiday Inn Express in Miami.
During an interview with the Secret Service, Geisel said he couldn't remember whether he threatened Obama and the president but told agents that "if he wanted to kill Senator Obama he would simply shoot him with a sniper rifle."
He later said that comment was a joke, the agent said in the document.
Geisel also said he has post-traumatic stress disorder, which affects his memory, and had once checked himself into a psychiatric institution for treatment.
The affidavit, signed by Special Agent Charles R. Adie, said Geisel "generally provided no excuse" for why he had the weapons and other items -- claiming that he collects some of them, that the handgun was for target practice during the bail bondsman course and that he uses the machete and a hatchet for cutting through brush in Maine, where he lived most of his life before moving to Florida in January.
Raymond Hunter Geisel told classmates at a training seminar that he would kill Obama if Obama were elected president, according to a law enforcement official.
An affidavit filed by a Secret Service agent in U.S. District Court claims that Geisel, of Marathon, Florida, threatened to "kill, kidnap and cause bodily harm upon a major candidate for president of the United States, that is, Senator Barack Obama."
The threats came in early August, just days before Obama was scheduled to visit Florida, and were made by "a person discovered to have ammunition, a handgun and other weapons," authorities said.
Geisel is being held without bail.
A search of Geisel's vehicle and a hotel room in Miami, where Geisel was attending a bail bondsman training class, found a 9 mm handgun, ammunition that included armor-piercing and rifle bullets, police-style emergency lights, body armor, a machete and two canisters of tear gas, among other military-style items, according to the document.
Agents say that classmates of Geisel reported that, between July 25-28, Geisel used a racial slur toward Obama and said "if he gets elected, I'll assassinate him myself."
A classmate said that, one day after class, she also heard Geisel say "that he hated George W. Bush and that he wanted to put a bullet in the president's head."
Obama made several campaign stops in Florida the day before federal agents arrested Geisel at a Holiday Inn Express in Miami.
During an interview with the Secret Service, Geisel said he couldn't remember whether he threatened Obama and the president but told agents that "if he wanted to kill Senator Obama he would simply shoot him with a sniper rifle."
He later said that comment was a joke, the agent said in the document.
Geisel also said he has post-traumatic stress disorder, which affects his memory, and had once checked himself into a psychiatric institution for treatment.
The affidavit, signed by Special Agent Charles R. Adie, said Geisel "generally provided no excuse" for why he had the weapons and other items -- claiming that he collects some of them, that the handgun was for target practice during the bail bondsman course and that he uses the machete and a hatchet for cutting through brush in Maine, where he lived most of his life before moving to Florida in January.
Recession Affecting Bail Business, Florida Bondsman Claims
If you're arrested, a bail bondsman can be your best friend or worst enemy.
And the weak economy is taking its toll on their business in Southwest Florida.
Grand and petty theft cases have become more common over the past year as the ranks of the unemployed steadily rise, according to Laurel Butler, owner of AA Alligator Bail Bonds, which has offices in Fort Myers and Naples. But more people are also struggling to come up with the 10 percent fee or are unable to, she added.
Revenues at AA Alligator are off by 10 percent to 15 percent in 2008, as compared to the first seven months of 2007.
Butler takes time to get to know her clients and their families, even referring them to social service agencies if they have a need.
"Writing bond is a calculated risk," she said. "If I don't like a bond, I don't write it. My criteria may be different than somebody else's criteria or I might write a bond where somebody else might not give that person a chance."
Bondsmen hold the "get-out-of-jail" card, but unlike the game of Monopoly, it's not free. And once they secure your release, your level of freedom may be just a little greater than it was when you were behind bars.
Do what the bail bondsman asks and show up for all your court dates, however, and you'll be fine. Slip up, and you could be headed back to the slammer.
When a person is arrested, the court can require they post bail to assure that, if released, they will appear for court dates. Amounts can range from a few hundred dollars to $1 million or more, depending on the severity of the offense.
There are two options for posting bail. You can pay the entire amount in cash at the jail or you can hire a bondsman who guarantees the money will be paid if you don't show up in court.
State law governs much of what bondsmen do. They must graduate from a bail bond school and pass state tests to get their licenses. Today, bail bondsmen must also successfully complete a one-year internship to become licensed. The Florida Department of Financial Services oversees the profession because it is considered to be a form of insurance, explained department spokesperson Nina Bannister.
In Florida, they all charge a nonrefundable fee of 10 percent of the bail amount - with a minimum fee of $100 - to get someone out of jail.
The severity of the charges, a person's ties to the community and whether they are employed are a few of the factors that help determine how much, if any, collateral may be required and how closely a client is monitored, according to area bail bondsmen.
Gauging the risk of flight, the likelihood of someone appearing for hearings and whether they are a repeat customer can also determine whether a bondsman will take someone on as a client.
That risk can be a stress inducer, said Onil Martinez, owner of Second Chance Bail Bonds, which has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Collier County, Punta Gorda and Sarasota. "Sometimes you don't sleep at night," he added.
Some bail bondsmen may only see dollar signs when they receive a call for assistance.
And the weak economy is taking its toll on their business in Southwest Florida.
Grand and petty theft cases have become more common over the past year as the ranks of the unemployed steadily rise, according to Laurel Butler, owner of AA Alligator Bail Bonds, which has offices in Fort Myers and Naples. But more people are also struggling to come up with the 10 percent fee or are unable to, she added.
Revenues at AA Alligator are off by 10 percent to 15 percent in 2008, as compared to the first seven months of 2007.
Butler takes time to get to know her clients and their families, even referring them to social service agencies if they have a need.
"Writing bond is a calculated risk," she said. "If I don't like a bond, I don't write it. My criteria may be different than somebody else's criteria or I might write a bond where somebody else might not give that person a chance."
Bondsmen hold the "get-out-of-jail" card, but unlike the game of Monopoly, it's not free. And once they secure your release, your level of freedom may be just a little greater than it was when you were behind bars.
Do what the bail bondsman asks and show up for all your court dates, however, and you'll be fine. Slip up, and you could be headed back to the slammer.
When a person is arrested, the court can require they post bail to assure that, if released, they will appear for court dates. Amounts can range from a few hundred dollars to $1 million or more, depending on the severity of the offense.
There are two options for posting bail. You can pay the entire amount in cash at the jail or you can hire a bondsman who guarantees the money will be paid if you don't show up in court.
State law governs much of what bondsmen do. They must graduate from a bail bond school and pass state tests to get their licenses. Today, bail bondsmen must also successfully complete a one-year internship to become licensed. The Florida Department of Financial Services oversees the profession because it is considered to be a form of insurance, explained department spokesperson Nina Bannister.
In Florida, they all charge a nonrefundable fee of 10 percent of the bail amount - with a minimum fee of $100 - to get someone out of jail.
The severity of the charges, a person's ties to the community and whether they are employed are a few of the factors that help determine how much, if any, collateral may be required and how closely a client is monitored, according to area bail bondsmen.
Gauging the risk of flight, the likelihood of someone appearing for hearings and whether they are a repeat customer can also determine whether a bondsman will take someone on as a client.
That risk can be a stress inducer, said Onil Martinez, owner of Second Chance Bail Bonds, which has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Collier County, Punta Gorda and Sarasota. "Sometimes you don't sleep at night," he added.
Some bail bondsmen may only see dollar signs when they receive a call for assistance.
Caylee Anthony's Mother Out On Bail
The mother of an Orlando toddler missing for more than two months made her first venture out Friday a day after she was released from jail.
Casey Anthony, 22, left her parents' home Friday morning to meet with her lawyer, Jose Baez.
On Thursday, celebrity bail bondsman Tony Padilla posted her $500,000 bond so that she could be released from the Orange County Jail to aid the search for her missing toddler, Caylee.
Casey Anthony has been fitted with an ankle monitor and is staying at the home of her parents, Cindy and George Anthony. She remains a "person of interest" in Caylee's disappearance.
Anthony's release went according to schedule, a spokesman for the Orange County corrections department told FOX News. After getting her belongings and clothing back, she left the Orange County jail mid-morning Thursday amid a crush of reporters and was ushered into a waiting car by Baez.
"Back off, you guys! Let her through!" shouted Baez to the press. "You'll get your chance! Let her through!"
Anthony said nothing to the media. Baez said she whispered into his ear on her way out, "I'm innocent. I'm going to walk out of this place with my head held high."
The young mom described by friends and family as a habitual liar didn't report 3-year-old Caylee missing until about 30 days after she said she left her with a baby sitter who snatched her.
Police have said they doubt that story.
Anthony is charged with child neglect, making false statements and obstructing an investigation in her daughter's disappearance on or around June 16.
Baez and bounty hunter Leonard Padilla, uncle of Tony Padilla, were at the Orange County jail during Wednesday night's bond posting proceedings. A member of Leonard Padilla Bounty Hunters' staff is reportedly moving into the Anthony home.
Anthony, who has been jailed since mid-July, was instructed to go to her parents' home and plug her electronic monitoring device into her phone, Orange County Corrections spokesman Allen Moore said.
"Right now the family is in there hugging and enjoying time as a family together," Baez said outside the home. "There's a lot of tears, a lot of emotion."
Anthony was also arraigned Thursday, but did not attend the hearing. A written plea of not guilty was entered, according to court documents.
"The most important thing is that Casey is home and her parents are very grateful," family spokesman Larry Garrison said by phone Thursday. "Now we are asking the public to please help us find Caylee. Now more than ever, we are convinced that she was kidnapped."
The Padillas flew to Florida on Sunday to help Clearwater-based bondsman Albert Estes post the bond. They said they believe Anthony might be more likely to talk about her daughter's disappearance if released from jail.
Police are investigating numerous theories about what happened to Caylee, including the possibility that she died accidentally, was killed or was kidnapped by a baby sitter.
Casey Anthony, 22, left her parents' home Friday morning to meet with her lawyer, Jose Baez.
On Thursday, celebrity bail bondsman Tony Padilla posted her $500,000 bond so that she could be released from the Orange County Jail to aid the search for her missing toddler, Caylee.
Casey Anthony has been fitted with an ankle monitor and is staying at the home of her parents, Cindy and George Anthony. She remains a "person of interest" in Caylee's disappearance.
Anthony's release went according to schedule, a spokesman for the Orange County corrections department told FOX News. After getting her belongings and clothing back, she left the Orange County jail mid-morning Thursday amid a crush of reporters and was ushered into a waiting car by Baez.
"Back off, you guys! Let her through!" shouted Baez to the press. "You'll get your chance! Let her through!"
Anthony said nothing to the media. Baez said she whispered into his ear on her way out, "I'm innocent. I'm going to walk out of this place with my head held high."
The young mom described by friends and family as a habitual liar didn't report 3-year-old Caylee missing until about 30 days after she said she left her with a baby sitter who snatched her.
Police have said they doubt that story.
Anthony is charged with child neglect, making false statements and obstructing an investigation in her daughter's disappearance on or around June 16.
Baez and bounty hunter Leonard Padilla, uncle of Tony Padilla, were at the Orange County jail during Wednesday night's bond posting proceedings. A member of Leonard Padilla Bounty Hunters' staff is reportedly moving into the Anthony home.
Anthony, who has been jailed since mid-July, was instructed to go to her parents' home and plug her electronic monitoring device into her phone, Orange County Corrections spokesman Allen Moore said.
"Right now the family is in there hugging and enjoying time as a family together," Baez said outside the home. "There's a lot of tears, a lot of emotion."
Anthony was also arraigned Thursday, but did not attend the hearing. A written plea of not guilty was entered, according to court documents.
"The most important thing is that Casey is home and her parents are very grateful," family spokesman Larry Garrison said by phone Thursday. "Now we are asking the public to please help us find Caylee. Now more than ever, we are convinced that she was kidnapped."
The Padillas flew to Florida on Sunday to help Clearwater-based bondsman Albert Estes post the bond. They said they believe Anthony might be more likely to talk about her daughter's disappearance if released from jail.
Police are investigating numerous theories about what happened to Caylee, including the possibility that she died accidentally, was killed or was kidnapped by a baby sitter.
Bail Bondsmen in North Carolina Face Unique Challenges
Bad boys. Bad boys. Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?
"They'' in this case is the police. And if it so happens that they indeed "come for you'' then it's likely your next destination is the local lockup.
So what next? Well, there are only three ways to make bail: you can pay up in cold hard cash, use the equity in your home as collateral, or call a bail bondsman.
"A bail bondsman is the person who signs the bond and is actually liable for that amount if the person fails to appear,'' bondsman Doug Cozart said. "Bounty hunters are bail enforcement who are hired by the bail bondsman to go out and find that person to bring them back.''
However, in North Carolina bounty hunting is illegal and it falls on the bondsman to enforce bail, which means with the power vested by the Supreme Court case Taylor v. Taintor in 1872, they have the ability to break into and enter a home to get a "skip,'' as they call them.
"When we have people that have failed to appear, we've gone to great lengths to find these people,'' Cozart said. "I've gone all along the Eastern Sea board in pursuit of these people.''
And that isn't a paid vacation. It means they have to find these people where they are, often times putting themselves in danger. So much so that bondsman Deva Lea regularly carries several guns.
"The hardest part is the arrests and apprehensions because you are out of the office and it's no longer just paperwork,'' Cozart said. "You may have to get physical.''
It's a risk they accept when they get into the job.
Amy McCalister knew what she was getting into before getting her bonding license because her father was a bondsman while she was growing up. That didn't make it any better when a skip shot himself in the head and the bullet missed her by about six inches.
Situations like that are why the North Carolina Bail Agents Association holds annual classes on topics such as self defense, skip tracing and use of force.
"The waiting is the worst part,'' Lea said. "You've got to be patient and I still struggle with that.''
Lea said he just wants to find the skips and be done, but many times you have to wait them out and they'll show up eventually.
Cozart tells a story about a man who was reported dead in California, then almost put on "America's Most Wanted'' before he called Cozart from Greensboro. The man told Cozart that he'd been robbed, was flat broke and just turn himself in.
"We were more than willing to accommodate him,'' Cozart said with a smile.
If a person under bond does skip, the court gives the bondsman 150 days to find the person or they have to pay the cost of the bond to the court. Needless to say, the bondsman does everything in his power to bring the people in and avoid paying that bond.
Lea said that once, Cozart and Dexter Shoffner spent three weeks in South Carolina looking for a skip. Bondsman do what they can to avoid such trips because not only do they have to pay for travel expenses, they also lose other business because they can do bonds for new clients.
Cozart said that before he agrees to do a bond, he assesses the risks. He usually tries to get a relative of the person to sign an indemnity agreement, which holds the relative accountable for the bond if the person fails to appear.
"We try to impress upon the defendant that they must appear in court,'' Cozart said. "In some cases, they'll appear because they don't want to put their relatives at risk.''
Cozart said bondsmen save taxpayers millions of dollars compared to other pre-release prison programs. These other programs justify their work through formulas that compare the cost of housing inmates versus being out of jail.
"For instance if the cost per day is $40 and the defendant stays out of jail for 10 days prior to the case being disposed of, they say they save the state $400,'' Cozart said, adding that the savings don't include the cost of operating the program. "If I use that formula and I have about 200 out on bond per day then I save the state $8,000 per day and $2,900,000 per year.''
And his company is small. If 1,000 bondsmen have 200 out, then that is $2,900,000,000.
"That is quite a savings,'' he said. "The most important savings is that we don't cost the taxpayers a dime. The only ones who pay are the people in jail or their friends and relatives.''
Cozart also said that the other programs do not have the structure and discipline to ensure that the person goes to court.
"The other programs don't have the authority of enforcement. They get paid whether the person goes to court or not,'' he said. "We are obligated and that is our initiative to do a better job.''
Currently there are about 1,200 bondsmen in North Carolina charging as much as 15 percent for their services. But with so many to choose from, how does somebody in jail pick?
The Alamance County jail has a list of the bondsmen available, but Cozart said most of their business is referred by word-of-mouth.
McAlister said she has several "regulars,'' which works out well because they keep getting in trouble so she keeps getting paid.
However, because crime doesn't sleep, neither do they. There isn't a 9-to-5 schedule for most bondsmen, which means if they get a call during dinner, a movie or a meeting, they get up and go.
"The hours are the worst, but the best,'' McAlister said. "You don't have to punch a clock and you've got time to do what you want, but if you go to sleep at 3 a.m. and they call at 4, you do what you need to do with an hour of sleep.''
But with so many bondsman there is usually somebody available.
"We get calls all time of the night, but we do not have to go,'' Cozart said. "I have a good working relationship with other bail bondsmen so if I'm not available, I do refer them so they don't have to wait on me.'' Lea said he tries to be at the jail within 20 minutes of a call, even if it is Christmas morning.
Each of the bondsmen said one of the best parts is when they hear about success stories.
"These people are not always the bottom of the barrel,'' Cozart said. "I've met some very, very nice people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In situations like that, it is a good feeling that you can help somebody out of a bad situation.''
"They'' in this case is the police. And if it so happens that they indeed "come for you'' then it's likely your next destination is the local lockup.
So what next? Well, there are only three ways to make bail: you can pay up in cold hard cash, use the equity in your home as collateral, or call a bail bondsman.
"A bail bondsman is the person who signs the bond and is actually liable for that amount if the person fails to appear,'' bondsman Doug Cozart said. "Bounty hunters are bail enforcement who are hired by the bail bondsman to go out and find that person to bring them back.''
However, in North Carolina bounty hunting is illegal and it falls on the bondsman to enforce bail, which means with the power vested by the Supreme Court case Taylor v. Taintor in 1872, they have the ability to break into and enter a home to get a "skip,'' as they call them.
"When we have people that have failed to appear, we've gone to great lengths to find these people,'' Cozart said. "I've gone all along the Eastern Sea board in pursuit of these people.''
And that isn't a paid vacation. It means they have to find these people where they are, often times putting themselves in danger. So much so that bondsman Deva Lea regularly carries several guns.
"The hardest part is the arrests and apprehensions because you are out of the office and it's no longer just paperwork,'' Cozart said. "You may have to get physical.''
It's a risk they accept when they get into the job.
Amy McCalister knew what she was getting into before getting her bonding license because her father was a bondsman while she was growing up. That didn't make it any better when a skip shot himself in the head and the bullet missed her by about six inches.
Situations like that are why the North Carolina Bail Agents Association holds annual classes on topics such as self defense, skip tracing and use of force.
"The waiting is the worst part,'' Lea said. "You've got to be patient and I still struggle with that.''
Lea said he just wants to find the skips and be done, but many times you have to wait them out and they'll show up eventually.
Cozart tells a story about a man who was reported dead in California, then almost put on "America's Most Wanted'' before he called Cozart from Greensboro. The man told Cozart that he'd been robbed, was flat broke and just turn himself in.
"We were more than willing to accommodate him,'' Cozart said with a smile.
If a person under bond does skip, the court gives the bondsman 150 days to find the person or they have to pay the cost of the bond to the court. Needless to say, the bondsman does everything in his power to bring the people in and avoid paying that bond.
Lea said that once, Cozart and Dexter Shoffner spent three weeks in South Carolina looking for a skip. Bondsman do what they can to avoid such trips because not only do they have to pay for travel expenses, they also lose other business because they can do bonds for new clients.
Cozart said that before he agrees to do a bond, he assesses the risks. He usually tries to get a relative of the person to sign an indemnity agreement, which holds the relative accountable for the bond if the person fails to appear.
"We try to impress upon the defendant that they must appear in court,'' Cozart said. "In some cases, they'll appear because they don't want to put their relatives at risk.''
Cozart said bondsmen save taxpayers millions of dollars compared to other pre-release prison programs. These other programs justify their work through formulas that compare the cost of housing inmates versus being out of jail.
"For instance if the cost per day is $40 and the defendant stays out of jail for 10 days prior to the case being disposed of, they say they save the state $400,'' Cozart said, adding that the savings don't include the cost of operating the program. "If I use that formula and I have about 200 out on bond per day then I save the state $8,000 per day and $2,900,000 per year.''
And his company is small. If 1,000 bondsmen have 200 out, then that is $2,900,000,000.
"That is quite a savings,'' he said. "The most important savings is that we don't cost the taxpayers a dime. The only ones who pay are the people in jail or their friends and relatives.''
Cozart also said that the other programs do not have the structure and discipline to ensure that the person goes to court.
"The other programs don't have the authority of enforcement. They get paid whether the person goes to court or not,'' he said. "We are obligated and that is our initiative to do a better job.''
Currently there are about 1,200 bondsmen in North Carolina charging as much as 15 percent for their services. But with so many to choose from, how does somebody in jail pick?
The Alamance County jail has a list of the bondsmen available, but Cozart said most of their business is referred by word-of-mouth.
McAlister said she has several "regulars,'' which works out well because they keep getting in trouble so she keeps getting paid.
However, because crime doesn't sleep, neither do they. There isn't a 9-to-5 schedule for most bondsmen, which means if they get a call during dinner, a movie or a meeting, they get up and go.
"The hours are the worst, but the best,'' McAlister said. "You don't have to punch a clock and you've got time to do what you want, but if you go to sleep at 3 a.m. and they call at 4, you do what you need to do with an hour of sleep.''
But with so many bondsman there is usually somebody available.
"We get calls all time of the night, but we do not have to go,'' Cozart said. "I have a good working relationship with other bail bondsmen so if I'm not available, I do refer them so they don't have to wait on me.'' Lea said he tries to be at the jail within 20 minutes of a call, even if it is Christmas morning.
Each of the bondsmen said one of the best parts is when they hear about success stories.
"These people are not always the bottom of the barrel,'' Cozart said. "I've met some very, very nice people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In situations like that, it is a good feeling that you can help somebody out of a bad situation.''
Monday, August 25, 2008
New Law in New Jersey for Bounty Hunters
New Jersey is starting to crack down on bounty hunters who sometimes act like they're in the Wild West.
A 2006 state law that's now taking effect requires bounty hunters to be at least 25 years old and have at least five years' experience in law enforcement or as a private investigator.
New Jersey also will offer a 16-hour training course in November.
State police say some bounty-hunting schools hand out badges and certification that have no legal standing. They say one school instructed students to pepper-spray anyone who answers the door at the home of a person being sought.
In a 2005 case, two bounty hunters handcuffed a Rutherford woman and drove her 35 miles before she convinced them she was the wrong person.
A 2006 state law that's now taking effect requires bounty hunters to be at least 25 years old and have at least five years' experience in law enforcement or as a private investigator.
New Jersey also will offer a 16-hour training course in November.
State police say some bounty-hunting schools hand out badges and certification that have no legal standing. They say one school instructed students to pepper-spray anyone who answers the door at the home of a person being sought.
In a 2005 case, two bounty hunters handcuffed a Rutherford woman and drove her 35 miles before she convinced them she was the wrong person.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Texas Bondsman Suing County
A long-simmering dispute between bail bondsmen and counties across Texas has resulted in a lawsuit against Wichita County.
Longtime bail bondsman Ken Knowles sued for reimbursement for what he sees as overcharges on fees his company and others must pay the county when a criminal suspect doesn’t show up for a court date.
“Over the years, we’ve paid tens of thousands of dollars,” Knowles said. “Wichita County has been unfair.”
The suit is styled as a class action on behalf of all bondsmen in the county.
Tyler attorney Ken Good, who represents Knowles, said most counties have been charging bondsmen between $250 and $400 in civil fees when a suspect jumps bail. But he said a recent opinion from the state attorney general indicates the fees should only be about $8.
Knowles’ suit seeks to stop the overcharging and get reimbursement for past overcharges. Good said the overcharges have been occurring across the state for about 25 years. He has filed similar suits in Moore, Potter and Randall counties, where Knowles also has offices, and is looking to file suits in all counties where he perceives overcharges occurring.
Longtime bail bondsman Ken Knowles sued for reimbursement for what he sees as overcharges on fees his company and others must pay the county when a criminal suspect doesn’t show up for a court date.
“Over the years, we’ve paid tens of thousands of dollars,” Knowles said. “Wichita County has been unfair.”
The suit is styled as a class action on behalf of all bondsmen in the county.
Tyler attorney Ken Good, who represents Knowles, said most counties have been charging bondsmen between $250 and $400 in civil fees when a suspect jumps bail. But he said a recent opinion from the state attorney general indicates the fees should only be about $8.
Knowles’ suit seeks to stop the overcharging and get reimbursement for past overcharges. Good said the overcharges have been occurring across the state for about 25 years. He has filed similar suits in Moore, Potter and Randall counties, where Knowles also has offices, and is looking to file suits in all counties where he perceives overcharges occurring.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Trial Postponed in Bondsman's Slaying
A judge today postponed the trial of a man accused of killing Richmond bail bondsman James W. Woolfolk III.
Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly W. Snukals granted the request because James E. Carr, who originally waived his right to be tried by a jury, changed his mind. Snukals set Sept. 16 as a new trial date.
Defense attorney Dean Marcus filed two motions this week: to withdraw Carr's waiver of his right to a jury trial and to withdraw as counsel for Carr, who wanted a new lawyer.
This morning, Carr said he and his client had patched up their differences but that his client still wanted to be tried by a jury.
Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly W. Snukals granted the request because James E. Carr, who originally waived his right to be tried by a jury, changed his mind. Snukals set Sept. 16 as a new trial date.
Defense attorney Dean Marcus filed two motions this week: to withdraw Carr's waiver of his right to a jury trial and to withdraw as counsel for Carr, who wanted a new lawyer.
This morning, Carr said he and his client had patched up their differences but that his client still wanted to be tried by a jury.
Bounty Hunter Trying to Help Casey Anthony
Bondsman failed to get Casey Anthony out of jail for a second day in a row, citing issues with paper work.
The 22-year-old mother of missing toddler Caylee Marie Anthony will spend at least one more night in jail.
If bail is posted tonight, jail officials say that the soonest she could be released is tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. because of the home confinement hold.
Leonard Padilla, a California bounty hunter, has been in Orlando since Sunday, trying to get Anthony out of jail.
She hasn't had any visitors outside of her legal team and has not made any phone calls, according to jail records.
Rob Dick, another bounty hunter working with Leonard Padilla, said that they are working toward Anthony's release today and it could come as soon as this afternoon. Bondsman Tony Padilla is working on paperwork this morning and finishing "dotting the i's and crossing the t's," Dick said.
The 22-year-old mother of missing toddler Caylee Marie Anthony will spend at least one more night in jail.
If bail is posted tonight, jail officials say that the soonest she could be released is tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. because of the home confinement hold.
Leonard Padilla, a California bounty hunter, has been in Orlando since Sunday, trying to get Anthony out of jail.
She hasn't had any visitors outside of her legal team and has not made any phone calls, according to jail records.
Rob Dick, another bounty hunter working with Leonard Padilla, said that they are working toward Anthony's release today and it could come as soon as this afternoon. Bondsman Tony Padilla is working on paperwork this morning and finishing "dotting the i's and crossing the t's," Dick said.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Should Defendants Who Breach Bail Conditions Go To Jail?
Nick Herbert, the shadow Justice Secretary, will unveil a range of new proposals to crackdown on those flouting bail conditions if the Conservatives win the next general election. He will also pledge to improve the enforcement of bail condition, describing the current situation as "seriously deficient".
New figures obtained by the Conservatives reveal that almost half of suspects who jump bail are punished with a fine which averages just £61.
The Tories are now proposing a specific new "breach of bail" offence punishable with a prison sentence. Judges should also be given crucial information on whether suspects have breached bail conditions in the past before deciding whether it is appropriate.
Mr Herbert, who has been reviewing the bail laws over the past six months, said: "The current system is not working - bail is too easily granted, frequently breached and improperly enforced. Public confidence is undermined when bail conditions are routinely breached, offenders hold the criminal justice system in contempt, and new victims of crime are created unnecessarily. It is time to tighten the bail laws and put public safety first."
At the moment, there is a "presumption" to offer bail to most suspects. However, the Conservatives are proposing to deny bail to those previously convicted of serious offences and to people accused of murder. People previously breaching bail will also lose the benefit of the presumption of bail.
Judges will have to take into account public safety as an "explicit consideration" when awarding bail and the Tories want to extend the use of electronic tagging to monitor suspects. They will also explore the use of so-called bail bonds - where suspects borrow money from private firms which is paid into court and only repaid if bail conditions are met.
Many of the proposals would bring laws in England and Wales into line with the tougher regime in Scotland.
The Conservative announcement comes the day after the first anniversary of the murder of Garry Newlove who was kicked to death by a group of youths whose ringleader had just been released on bail. Mr Newlove's widow, Helen, has appeared at Conservative party events and several of her ideas have been adopted as party policy.
The latest statistics released by the Government show that more than 25,000 suspects breached their bail conditions in 2006. Of these, 12,909 were fined and only 3,000 were put into custody.
A growing number of people accused of violent crimes are now being freed on bail - almost 65,000 in 2006 - and one in six murders are committed by suspects on bail.
An official report into the killing of Richard Whelan published earlier this year found a "lackadaisical or nonchalant approach to bail" within the criminal justice system, and a "lack of diligence in verifying suggested bail conditions, scant evidence of enforcement of those conditions, and a failure to deal effectively with breaches when they occurred."
New figures obtained by the Conservatives reveal that almost half of suspects who jump bail are punished with a fine which averages just £61.
The Tories are now proposing a specific new "breach of bail" offence punishable with a prison sentence. Judges should also be given crucial information on whether suspects have breached bail conditions in the past before deciding whether it is appropriate.
Mr Herbert, who has been reviewing the bail laws over the past six months, said: "The current system is not working - bail is too easily granted, frequently breached and improperly enforced. Public confidence is undermined when bail conditions are routinely breached, offenders hold the criminal justice system in contempt, and new victims of crime are created unnecessarily. It is time to tighten the bail laws and put public safety first."
At the moment, there is a "presumption" to offer bail to most suspects. However, the Conservatives are proposing to deny bail to those previously convicted of serious offences and to people accused of murder. People previously breaching bail will also lose the benefit of the presumption of bail.
Judges will have to take into account public safety as an "explicit consideration" when awarding bail and the Tories want to extend the use of electronic tagging to monitor suspects. They will also explore the use of so-called bail bonds - where suspects borrow money from private firms which is paid into court and only repaid if bail conditions are met.
Many of the proposals would bring laws in England and Wales into line with the tougher regime in Scotland.
The Conservative announcement comes the day after the first anniversary of the murder of Garry Newlove who was kicked to death by a group of youths whose ringleader had just been released on bail. Mr Newlove's widow, Helen, has appeared at Conservative party events and several of her ideas have been adopted as party policy.
The latest statistics released by the Government show that more than 25,000 suspects breached their bail conditions in 2006. Of these, 12,909 were fined and only 3,000 were put into custody.
A growing number of people accused of violent crimes are now being freed on bail - almost 65,000 in 2006 - and one in six murders are committed by suspects on bail.
An official report into the killing of Richard Whelan published earlier this year found a "lackadaisical or nonchalant approach to bail" within the criminal justice system, and a "lack of diligence in verifying suggested bail conditions, scant evidence of enforcement of those conditions, and a failure to deal effectively with breaches when they occurred."
Bondsman Gets Suspect With a Little Help
A Blount County bounty hunter got his man Monday night, but not until after Oak Ridge police were contacted and an unidentified citizen provided a little help.
Oak Ridge police reports said officers were sent to the Grove Center about 6:30 p.m. Monday, after someone reported shots being fired in the shopping center.
When officers arrived, they found a Blount County bail bondsman armed with two weapons: a handgun and a shotgun.
Christopher Harwell, a Blount County bondsman, told officers he was trying to apprehend a suspect and had fired a bean bag projectile at a man. He told officers the suspect was wanted on outstanding Blount County warrants.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Eric Reynolds, 24, 250 Jefferson Ave., was taken into custody after Harwell shot him at least once with the "less lethal ammunition." Reports said Reynolds was knocked to the ground, but got up and tried to run away again.
Harwell reportedly told police he followed Reynolds to Oak Ridge and fired the bean bag at him when he ran. He said he shot Reynolds once in the right side, knocking him down.
At that point, an unidentified person kept Reynolds from running until Harwell took him into custody.
Officer Karen Jenkins emptied the bounty hunter's weapons for safety and requested his papers that authorized the arrest.
Reports said Harwell's shotgun was loaded with two 12-gauge slugs and one 12-gauge buckshot shell, in addition to the bean bag ammo.
Jenkins reported that Harwell had the proper paperwork to apprehend Reynolds, but did not have papers pertaining to his bonding status, his weapon-carry permit, and his use of "less lethal" implements.
The bounty hunter told Jenkins he would have that paperwork faxed to the police department.
The officer's report indicates the incident won't be closed until the bondsman's paperwork has been received and she reviews the incident with the district attorney general's office.
Records do not indicate the charges Reynolds faces in Blount County. He has a criminal history in Anderson County and ended a prison sentence in August 2007.
Oak Ridge police reports said officers were sent to the Grove Center about 6:30 p.m. Monday, after someone reported shots being fired in the shopping center.
When officers arrived, they found a Blount County bail bondsman armed with two weapons: a handgun and a shotgun.
Christopher Harwell, a Blount County bondsman, told officers he was trying to apprehend a suspect and had fired a bean bag projectile at a man. He told officers the suspect was wanted on outstanding Blount County warrants.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Eric Reynolds, 24, 250 Jefferson Ave., was taken into custody after Harwell shot him at least once with the "less lethal ammunition." Reports said Reynolds was knocked to the ground, but got up and tried to run away again.
Harwell reportedly told police he followed Reynolds to Oak Ridge and fired the bean bag at him when he ran. He said he shot Reynolds once in the right side, knocking him down.
At that point, an unidentified person kept Reynolds from running until Harwell took him into custody.
Officer Karen Jenkins emptied the bounty hunter's weapons for safety and requested his papers that authorized the arrest.
Reports said Harwell's shotgun was loaded with two 12-gauge slugs and one 12-gauge buckshot shell, in addition to the bean bag ammo.
Jenkins reported that Harwell had the proper paperwork to apprehend Reynolds, but did not have papers pertaining to his bonding status, his weapon-carry permit, and his use of "less lethal" implements.
The bounty hunter told Jenkins he would have that paperwork faxed to the police department.
The officer's report indicates the incident won't be closed until the bondsman's paperwork has been received and she reviews the incident with the district attorney general's office.
Records do not indicate the charges Reynolds faces in Blount County. He has a criminal history in Anderson County and ended a prison sentence in August 2007.
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