Hawaii bounty
hunter released
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico >> Mexican immigration authorities yesterday released Hawaii-based bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman and four other Americans who were arrested Wednesday after reportedly capturing one of California's most-wanted fugitives.
Chapman, his brother Timothy, his son Leland, reality TV producer Jeff Sells and actor Boris Krutonog were charged Friday with illegal deprivation of liberty and criminal association in connection with the capture of convicted rapist and cosmetics heir Andrew Luster.
On Thursday, authorities expelled Luster to the United States, where he is appealing a 124-year prison sentence for the drugging and rape of three women.
Chapman and his four companions were arrested about two hours after they captured Luster near a Puerto Vallarta taco stand where he had just ordered breakfast. Chapman, born and reared in Denver, owns a bail bond business with his wife in Colorado.
The five each posted bail of $1,430 on Friday, but were held for questioning by Mexico's National Immigration Institute.
Leaving police custody yesterday, the men all declined to be interviewed. The five must remain in Mexico under the terms of the release, their attorneys said.
Mexican officials argue that Chapman and the rest of his crew should have gone to police instead of trying to whisk Luster out of Mexico for a reward.
The charges carry a maximum of four years in prison, prosecutor Marco Roberto Juarez said Friday.