ASSOCIATED PRESS Bounty hunter Duane Chapman held the steel bars of the Policia Judicial Estatal office jail in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, yesterday as Tim Chapman, back left, and freelance TV producer Jeff Sells walked inside. The bounty hunters, who pursued cosmetics heir Andrew Luster to Mexico, could face charges ranging from entering Mexico illegally to kidnapping.

Isle bounty hunter
to learn fate today

Five Americans who nabbed a
U.S. fugitive in Mexico could spend
four years in prison

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By John Rice
Associated Press

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico >> Five Americans accused in the street-corner capture of convicted rapist Andrew Luster, including Hawaii bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman, are to learn today whether they may go free or face the possibility of years in Mexican prisons, a prosecutor said yesterday.

Prosecutor Marco Roberto Juarez told a news conference that officials are considering a range of possible charges, notably illegal privation of liberty, a charge that could mean one month to four years behind bars.

He said far more serious charges, including kidnapping and criminal conspiracy, were also possible, though prosecutors have mentioned them with less frequency. Juarez said the five might face differing charges.

Police say Chapman apparently led a team that hunted down and seized Luster -- the great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor -- in front of a taco stand before dawn on Wednesday.

They were detained a short time later in two cars heading out of Puerto Vallarta.

Jalisco state Gov. Francisco Ramirez told reporters in the state capital of Guadalajara yesterday that at least some of the men would be charged "because they are violating Jalisco laws, Mexican laws."

The governor added: "In principle, we find that they are depriving another person of his liberty. They took him in handcuffs without being police, and that is not allowed by the laws of our country."

But one of those arrested, freelance television producer Jeff Sells, called Chapman's group heroes.

"They took a rapist off the street, and to me that's a big deal," Sells said as he and the other suspects were allowed to meet reporters for a few minutes yesterday.

He said some of the Mexican police had shaken Chapman's hand.

Luster, who was sentenced to 124 years in prison for drugging and raping three women, "is a serial rapist and he stalks," Sells added, calling the man "a monster." Luster was flown back to prison in the United States yesterday.

The 50-year-old Chapman himself looked weary, nervous and deeply sunburned.

"Nothing about Luster. Nothing about Luster. That's it. I'm done," he said, then walked off.

His brother Timothy, 37, and son Leland, 26, also refused to talk about the capture of Luster but tried to calm their families. Timothy Chapman said his wife was seven months pregnant.

"Timmy, don't worry about Dad; I'm going to be OK," Timothy Chapman said. "I'm going to be home soon. I love you, son."

He said Mexican police "have been very nice to us."

Actor Boris Krutonog, who has had roles in films such as "The Italian Job," "Air Force One" and "Hunt for Red October," said he had been through "an emotional roller coaster the last couple of days."

"I just hope to make it home soon to my wife and kids -- and laugh again," Krutonog said.

He declined to say what he had been doing alongside the Chapmans.

Sells told reporters he had been "looking for a story like you all here now. I came out here, hoped I would find

something. I kind of sniffed around and now I'm here."

He said the five were largely cut off from the world. Leland Chapman said he was not even sure what day it was.

"I work in reality TV," Sells said, "and this is about as reality as you can get, because I'm sittin' in a prison."