Editor's Note: The Bail News Round-up consists of news items that occurred over the previous week and upcoming industry events. If you have items you would like to contribute, please call us at (866) 411-2245 or click here.

This week, AboutBail.com staff were reading about bail bondsmen being heroic while doing their jobs. We also continued to follow the case of Christopher Walls, the man accused of killing bail bondsman Jerry Dongo. That case took another tragic turn this week. These were the stories that had us talking this week:

A Day in the Life of a Baltimore County Bail Bondsman
BALTIMORE, MD - This past week, a reporter for the Examiner, a newspaper in Baltimore County, followed bail bondsman Dennis Sew through a typical day on the job. His write-up of the day is illuminating and interesting. On the day the reporter was present, Sew was looking for a drug dealer who skipped court after the Fred W. Frank Bail Bonds Co. posted his bail.
(Source: The Examiner, August 7, 2007)
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Drug Suspects Using Candy Wrappers Apprehended
VIRGINIA - Marvin Blocker and Tanya Humphreys are accused drug dealers who failed to appear in court in Macomb County. Both were apprehended Sunday in Virginia. They were apprehended by security personnel and handed over to Chris Roberts, of 24/7 Bail Bonds and Walt Myska, of Action Bail Bonds. The pair had an unusual way of selling drugs – wrapped in candy wrappers. They had their bond reduced significantly before their attempted flight. Blocker's bond was reduced from $300,000 to $100,000 and Humphrey’s bond was reduced from $100,000 to $30,000.
(Source: The Macomb Daily, August 7, 2007)
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Suspect in Death Of Bondsman Commits Suicide
MIAMI, FL - A few weeks ago, AboutBail.com staff and other media outlets reported on the tragic slaying of Jerry Dongo, a bail bondsman from Miami-Dade. This week, it appears that Christopher Walls, charged in the death, has hanged himself. The latest in a strange case, this news comes shortly after a corrections officer accidentally left Wells locked inside a van for nearly three hours. The incident drew criticism because the van was parked in the sun on a hot day. According to prison authorities, Walls hanged himself Sunday night by using bed sheets. His death is being investigated.
(Source: The Miami Herald, August 06, 2007)
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Case Against Bondsman is Dismissed
OHIO - A Summit County bail bondsman and fugitive recovery agent being charged in a criminal case is breathing easier after his case was dismissed by the Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court in New Philadelphia. Chris W. Nickolas had been charged with burglary and criminal damaging following an incident involving Nickolas kicking down the door of a New Philadelphia apartment. Nickolas, who works for ABC Bail Bonds, was looking for a man who had skipped bail when the incident took place.
(Source: The Times Reporter, August 8, 2007)
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Statute of Limitations Means That Dog Case is Closed
MEXICO - Judge Jose Alberto Montes of Mexico has ruled to close the case against TV reality star and bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman. Although prosecutors are appealing, Judge Montes stated in a July 27 ruling that the statute of limitations on the case has expired. The case has attracted wide-spread media attention ever since Chapman was arrested last autumn after capturing fugitive convicted rapist Andrew Luster in Mexico in 2003. Chapman has fought extradition to Mexico, but Mexico authorities have remained firm. Bounty hunting is considered illegal in Mexico.
(Source: ABC7 News, August 2, 2007)
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Bounty Hunters to Capture Bin Laden?
Texan Republican presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has proposed legislation (H.R. 3216) to help capture Osama Bin Laden. The legislation would permit the president to give out "letters of marquee and reprisal" to bounty hunters or private citizens "to seize outside the geographic boundaries of the United States and its territories the person and property of Osama bin Laden, of any al Qaeda co-conspirator, and of any conspirator with Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda who are responsible for the air piratical aggressions and depredations perpetrated upon the United States of America on September 11, 2001."
(Source: Donklephant, July 30th, 2007)
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Canadian Province Launches Bounty Hunting Agency
ALBERTA, CANADA - Alberta is poised to launch an agency whose sole purpose be to hunt down fugitives. The agency will be comprised of Alberta's sheriffs and will have a $1.5 million budget. 11 members will be part of the group. According to Alberta Solicitor General spokesman Andy Weiler, the agency is being set up because thousands of dangerous offenders have eluded capture in the province. The province reportedly has 165,000 outstanding warrants.
(Source: Edmonton Sun, July 30, 2007)
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Bail Agents Independant League of Florida
Education
Indemnity Agreements, Promissory Notes Converting Paper to Cash September 17, 2007 West Palm Beach, FL
Real Property Collateral September 18, 2007 West Palm Beach, FL
Indemnity Agreements, Promissory Notes Converting Paper to Cash September 25, 2007 Jacksonville, FL
Real Property Collateral September 26, 2007 Jacksonville, FL
click here to view all B.A.I.L. Florida Events
California Bail Agent Association
Pre-license Bail Education
CBAA Annual Convention October 1-3, 2007 Las Vegas, NV
click here to view event details
California Bail Resource Center
Pre-Licensing Education
August 25-26, 2007 San Jose, CA
September 15-16, 2007 Riverside, CA
September 29-30, 2007 Ventura, CA
Continuing Education
August 26, 2007 San Jose, CA
September 16, 2007 Riverside, CA
September 30, 2007 Ventura, CA
click here to view all Bail Resource Center Events
Florida Surety Agents Association
FSAA Continuing Education
Uniform Criminal Extradition Act August 15, 2007 Jacksonville, FL
Chapter 903 Update August 16, 2007 Jacksonville, FL
Surviving an Agency Audit August 22, 2007 Tampa, FL
Chapter 903 Update August 28, 2007 Winter Park, FL
click here for details on FSAA continuing ed
Georgia Association of Professional Bondsmen
GAPB Continuing Education
August 16, 2007 Newnan, GA
click here for info on all GAPB events
Indiana Surety Bail Agents Association
Continuing Education Courses
August 15, 2007 Salem, IN
September 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN
August 25, 2007 Indianapolis, IN
click here for more info on ISBAA Events
Mississippi Bail Agents Association
Pre-licensing Education
September 12-15, 2007 Jackson, MS
click here for all MBAA Events
North Carolina Bail Agents Association
Pre-licensing Education
September 10-11, 2007 Raleigh, NC
click here for all NCBAA Events
Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents
Continuing Education
September 7, 2007 Memphis, TN
click here for all TAPBA Events
Professional Bondsmen of Texas
Texas Bail Bond Course September 14-15, 2007 Borger, TX
click here for all PBTX Events