'Dog the Bounty Hunter' arrested by U.S. marshals

[GreenBat]

'Dog the Bounty Hunter' arrested by U.S. marshals

05:11 PM CDT on Thursday, September 14, 2006

Associated Press

HONOLULU – TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars on the show about his bounty-hunting exploits were arrested early Thursday in Hawaii on charges of illegal detention and conspiracy in an alleged kidnapping three years ago in Mexico, federal officials said.

Chapman, 53, his son Leland Chapman, and associate Timothy Chapman were taken into custody in an operation involving 15 officers, said U.S. Marshal Mark Hanohano. They did not resist arrest, he said.

"All three were very compliant," Hanohano said. "It went down without incident."

Mona K. Wood, a publicist for the star of the popular A&E series "Dog the Bounty Hunter," said Chapman would be vindicated.

"He arrests the bad guys – and he is definitely not one of them," she said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A U.S. warrant for their arrest was signed by a federal judge in Honolulu on Sept. 13.

The three were to face a hearing later Thursday in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren, Hanohano said. They were to be transported to a federal detention center at the Honolulu airport pending extradition.

"Dog the Bounty Hunter" is the A&E channel's top-rated show.