Bounty Hunters Released

FERNDALE, MI - Two would-be bounty hunters tried to take a Ferndale woman to court by force. However, when the woman’s neighbors saw Christopher Hight and his brother trying to place the woman in a car, neighbors attacked the two men, allowing the woman to flee. Hight and the other man were beaten by the neighbors and arrested by authorities. Ultimately, they were released because authorities found that the duo did not break any laws.

Secret Service Investigates Check Cashing Suspects

CONWAY, SC - Secret Service agents are investigating 11 people busted in a check cashing scheme. The judge set their bonds at $10,000 each. News Channel 15 talked with a bondsman who said it's unlikely the suspects will find a bondsman to work with them. "When a bondsman interviews a potential bond, the first thing they want to know is how strong their community ties are. Without strong community ties, you're going to have a hard time convincing a bondsman to do a 10, 15, or 20 thousand dollar bond," said John Ham with Quick Silver Bonds.

Infant Hurt By Bounty Hunter Using a Taser 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - A bounty hunter, trying to arrest fugitive Joe Hawkins, accidentally hit an infant with a Taser gun after the child’s mother tried to use the infant as a human shield. The child was not shocked, but had to be treated for a bloody hand after one of the probes entered the infant’s hand. The other probe missed, allowing the child to escape shock. The mother was eventually arrested for child endangerment. Authorities said that the bounty hunter did nothing wrong and will not be charged.

Bounty Hunter Upset by Charges

MULDROW, OK - Roger Brooks is a bounty hunter facing charges of burglary and malicious injury to property after a case of mistaken identity. Brooks and Rodney Swearingen were working as bond enforcement agents last June when they broke down a door in an attempt to find fugitive Frank McConnell. The home they entered belonged to a different McConnell. Brooks is upset by the burglary charge, which he feels should at the most be a lesser charge such as trespassing. However, the problem is that the two bounty hunters threatened someone and broke down a door. Also, because Swearingen is a known felon, Brooks is violating the terms of his own probation by working with him.

Two Bondsmen Served as “Middlemen”

SHREVEPORT, LA - Caddo District Judge Michael Walker and Juvenile Court Judge Vernon Claville have been indicted for taking bribes to return favorable rulings. According to authorities, Walker reduced bond amounts in exchange for payment and prescription drugs. Claville allegedly took payments in exchange for lifting holds. Two bondsmen also have been named in the case as middlemen. One of the bondsmen, Larry Williams of A-Instant Bail Bonds, already has been indicted in the case.