HONOLULU - TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars
on his show were arrested Thursday in Hawaii on charges of
illegal detention and conspiracy in the bounty hunters' capture
three years ago of a cosmetics company heir.
Chapman, son
Leland Chapman and associate Timothy Chapman were taken
into custody and did not resist arrest, said Mark Hanohano,
U.S. Marshal for the district of Hawaii. "It went down
without incident," Hanohano said.
Mona K. Wood, a publicist for the star of the popular
cable 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 Vallarta,
Mexico, said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in
Washington.
Chapman's capture of Luster, who had fled the country
while on trial on charges he raped three women, catapulted
the 53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the
reality series on A&E.
Chapman, shackled at his ankles and wearing a blue
muscle T-shirt at his first court appearance Thursday,
said the government was jealous of his success in hunting
down criminals.
"You see what the American government is doing to us?
They throw us in jail," Chapman said in a federal
courtroom. "I'm so upset about this."
The three are being held in Honolulu. 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 Timothy 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
Vallarta 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 Wednesday.
Chapman's wife, Beth, said he didn't do anything wrong.
"If Duane has to return to Mexico to take care of any
misunderstanding, then that's what he will do," she said
outside the courthouse.
