Famed bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman was arrested last week on federal charges of illegal detention and conspiracy in an alleged kidnapping three years ago. Also arrested were his son Leland Chapman and his brother Tim Chapman. The Chapmans are well-known for their A&E show, “[tag]Dog the Bounty Hunter[/tag]”.
The arrest is related to Dog’s capture of fugitive (and Max Factor heir) Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003. Luster was captured in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico after fleeing the United States during his trial on over 80 rape charges. Luster was convicted of the crimes and sentenced to 124 years in prison.

In an A&E television special about the Chapmans, a video shows Dog, his associates, and Mexican police taking Andrew Luster into custody in 2003. After the capture, the three Chapmans were arrested by Mexican officials. Allegedly, the group of Chapmans refused to transfer Luster to the Mexican police. This led to their arrest, and a video shows a Mexican official telling Dog that he is under arrest for “unlawful deprivation of individuals”. The Chapmans were held for a week, but were able to post bail and return to the United States. The three men said that the 7 days in the Mexican jail were hard to forget.

Dog, Leland, and Tim never returned to Puerto Vallarta for the July 15, 2003 court hearing, and a warrant was issued for their arrest.

On September 14, 2006, Federal Marshalls went to Dog’s residence in Honolulu with a warrant for his arrest. Leland and Tim Chapman were also arrested on the same day. They were taken to a federal prison, the same prison which housed some of their previous bounties. They were threatened over and over by these criminals. Due to the danger level, the Chapmans were all placed in the Secure Housing Unit (SHU) for their own safety.

The three were given $300,000 bail and relased with ankle bracelets and house-arrest restrictions. Dog fears that they could be extradited to Mexico. If they are put on trial in Mexico and convicted, they could spend 4 years in a Mexican prison.

In the words of Dog:

“Truth and justice has to prevail. It has to prevail. It has to.”