Bondsman Carl Jackson was shot in the leg with his own gun during an altercation at a gas station. According to reports filed by KMBC, Jackson accused another man of stealing something from him. A fight ensued and Jackson’s gun fell to the ground during the struggle. An unidentified female picked up the gun and fired it, hitting Jackson in the leg.
No determination has been made on whether charges will be filed.
Showing posts with label Bondsmen in the News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bondsmen in the News. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hearing Held: Block Bail Bonds and Moran
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch printed another article today concerning a hearing held yesterday regarding the of the actions of Block Bail Bonds and pretrial commissioner Mary Catherine Moran. Block’s company was banned Friday from doing business in St. Louis Circuit Court, pending an investigation into unexplained changes in judges' orders. Judge Garvey said his order banning Block is subject to approval from Dowd, the presiding judge. Judge David Dowd has created a committee to examine actions by Moran and bondsmen. The committee will meet on February 3rd.
Moran and her staff make bail recommendations to judges but are not empowered to set bail in felony cases or make changes. The P-D article says that in at least 8 cases, Moran’s office made the changes to bonds without a judge’s approval. In all eight cases, Block’s company wrote the bonds.Moran attended the hearing, as Garvey had requested, but did not testify and there is no report that Moran has been suspended during the investigation.
Friday's hearing was for the sentencing of Jimmy Gibson, convicted Oct. 23 in Garvey's court of possession of a controlled substance. Garvey had set a bond of $50,000 in cash or property after Gibson was convicted and before his sentencing. The judge insisted Friday that he was "very clear" about the conditions. A week later, a Block agent, Daryl Spector, posted a secured bond and Gibson was released from jail after his fiancée paid a $5,000 fee. No record of the bond modification was put into Gibson's court file until the Post-Dispatch began asking questions earlier this year. On Jan. 8, Moran produced a copy of an order authorizing the change, and said Garvey had authorized it by phone. He has since insisted that he did not. Gibson's fiancée, Latrice Ladell testified Friday that a Block agent named Hazel Hammers Varnon told her she could pay 10 percent to get him out. Ladell said she was "surprised," because she knew the bond was set for $50,000 in cash. She said Spector met her at the courthouse, accepted the $5,000 and wrote the bond. Varnon was not called to testify.Spector told the court he first heard about the case when his general agent, Barry Block, asked him to write the bond and told him the amount to charge. Garvey asked, "You had no idea about the background of this bond?" Spector replied, "No, sir." He said the papers were prepared in Moran's office. Court documents show that she signed it."There is something going on here," Garvey said. "It is clear from this woman's testimony that the company knew the bond was going to be changed (before it was). This court wants to find out what happened in this case."
Block's lawyer, Nick Zotos, protested that the move and said that if the bond did not meet requirements, it was the fault of pre-trial release commissioner Mary Catherine Moran's office for accepting it. Zotos vowed to appeal.
STL-PD Article here.
Moran and her staff make bail recommendations to judges but are not empowered to set bail in felony cases or make changes. The P-D article says that in at least 8 cases, Moran’s office made the changes to bonds without a judge’s approval. In all eight cases, Block’s company wrote the bonds.Moran attended the hearing, as Garvey had requested, but did not testify and there is no report that Moran has been suspended during the investigation.
Friday's hearing was for the sentencing of Jimmy Gibson, convicted Oct. 23 in Garvey's court of possession of a controlled substance. Garvey had set a bond of $50,000 in cash or property after Gibson was convicted and before his sentencing. The judge insisted Friday that he was "very clear" about the conditions. A week later, a Block agent, Daryl Spector, posted a secured bond and Gibson was released from jail after his fiancée paid a $5,000 fee. No record of the bond modification was put into Gibson's court file until the Post-Dispatch began asking questions earlier this year. On Jan. 8, Moran produced a copy of an order authorizing the change, and said Garvey had authorized it by phone. He has since insisted that he did not. Gibson's fiancée, Latrice Ladell testified Friday that a Block agent named Hazel Hammers Varnon told her she could pay 10 percent to get him out. Ladell said she was "surprised," because she knew the bond was set for $50,000 in cash. She said Spector met her at the courthouse, accepted the $5,000 and wrote the bond. Varnon was not called to testify.Spector told the court he first heard about the case when his general agent, Barry Block, asked him to write the bond and told him the amount to charge. Garvey asked, "You had no idea about the background of this bond?" Spector replied, "No, sir." He said the papers were prepared in Moran's office. Court documents show that she signed it."There is something going on here," Garvey said. "It is clear from this woman's testimony that the company knew the bond was going to be changed (before it was). This court wants to find out what happened in this case."
Block's lawyer, Nick Zotos, protested that the move and said that if the bond did not meet requirements, it was the fault of pre-trial release commissioner Mary Catherine Moran's office for accepting it. Zotos vowed to appeal.
STL-PD Article here.
Friday, January 22, 2010
STL Company Suspended During Investigation
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported today that Block Bail Bonds has been prohibited from posting bonds in St. Louis by order of Judge Garvey. The action occurred after the Post-Dispatch reported that eight bonds had been changed to surety without a judge’s authorization. In all the cases, the Block company posted the bonds.
After the newspaper began investigating, the court also began looking into the matter and a complaint was filed with the FBI. Judges looking for answers have focused attention on Pretrial Release Commissioner Mary Catherine Moran, who is to advise them on what bond to set for criminal defendants. She does not have authority to set or change felony case bonds on her own. In the eight cases identified by the Post-Dispatch, judges initially ordered the accused to put up $1,000 to $50,000 in cash for release. A short time later, each was changed to shift terms from cash to secured, or a court official accepted a different bond amount from what was ordered, with no explanation. In every instance, there was no record in the public court files indicating who asked for the change.
In at least one of the cases investigated by the P-D, defendant Jimmy Gibson’s bond was changed from $50,000 cash to $50,000 surety. Judge Garvey said he never authorized the bond change although his name is on a bond reduction order. Mary Catherine Moran, who had signed Garvey's name to the document, told reporters that if he didn't authorize her to do it, then it must have been some other judge but she doesn't remember who.
Read the whole story here:
STL-PD:Blocks Suspended from Writing Bail
STL-PD:Cases Under Investigation
After the newspaper began investigating, the court also began looking into the matter and a complaint was filed with the FBI. Judges looking for answers have focused attention on Pretrial Release Commissioner Mary Catherine Moran, who is to advise them on what bond to set for criminal defendants. She does not have authority to set or change felony case bonds on her own. In the eight cases identified by the Post-Dispatch, judges initially ordered the accused to put up $1,000 to $50,000 in cash for release. A short time later, each was changed to shift terms from cash to secured, or a court official accepted a different bond amount from what was ordered, with no explanation. In every instance, there was no record in the public court files indicating who asked for the change.
In at least one of the cases investigated by the P-D, defendant Jimmy Gibson’s bond was changed from $50,000 cash to $50,000 surety. Judge Garvey said he never authorized the bond change although his name is on a bond reduction order. Mary Catherine Moran, who had signed Garvey's name to the document, told reporters that if he didn't authorize her to do it, then it must have been some other judge but she doesn't remember who.
Read the whole story here:
STL-PD:Blocks Suspended from Writing Bail
STL-PD:Cases Under Investigation
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Bondsmen Under Investigation in Springfield
Springfield, MO- Police are investigating several bail bondsmen after a family reported that the bondsmen kicked in their door. According to reports filed by KRCG-TV, KOLR-TV, and the Springfield News-Leader, the bondsmen forcefully entered a home with weapons drawn. A woman and three children were reportedly home at the time. They said the bondsmen were looking for a man named Andrew whom the family did not know. News reports indicate that the bondsmen then went to a home next door and a woman left with them. The incident remains under investigation and the names of the bondsmen have not been released.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Bondsman Injured in Hit and Run
Bondsman Brenda Dischbein, of Farmington, was injured last week when she tried to apprehend Norman Forrester. According to the Daily Journal, Forrester has been charged with first degree assault for striking Dischbein with his vehicle.
Forrester stopped his vehicle on a roadway near his residence. Dischbein approached his vehicle to speak to him. Forrester opened the driver’s side door to his vehicle knocking her back. Forrester then put his vehicle in reverse and struck her with the driver’s front fender as he was backing up. Dischbein sustained injuries to the arm and wrist, left ankle and a strained lower back.
Forrester bond is set at $75,000 cash only. At this time, he remains a fugitive.
Forrester stopped his vehicle on a roadway near his residence. Dischbein approached his vehicle to speak to him. Forrester opened the driver’s side door to his vehicle knocking her back. Forrester then put his vehicle in reverse and struck her with the driver’s front fender as he was backing up. Dischbein sustained injuries to the arm and wrist, left ankle and a strained lower back.
Forrester bond is set at $75,000 cash only. At this time, he remains a fugitive.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
KC Bondsman Charged
According to this report at KCTV-5, bondsman Michael Knight, of Kansas City, faces a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon and a misdemeanor charge of assault 3rd degree. The report states that Knight had a concealed weapon, although his conceal permit was expired. The charges were filed after Knight allegedly assaulted a 19 year old man while trying to repossess his vehicle. Additionally, the article stated that Knight was repossessing the wrong vehicle as the VIN did not match.
Knight posted a $15,000 surety bond through his general agent, Frank Kincaid.
Knight posted a $15,000 surety bond through his general agent, Frank Kincaid.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Redburn Guilty of Theft
Bondsman Jackie Covey Redburn entered two guilty pleas to possession of burglary tools and Class B stealing. Redburn and her husband, Aaron Redburn, were arrested last year in Dade County for trying to steal ATVs from S&H Farm Supply. Redburn was given five years supervised probation, with a suspended imposition of sentence.
Just a few weeks before the plea, Redburn renewed her bail bond license. The DIFP and Redburn entered into a consent agreement that if Redburn was found guilty in any of the charges against her, she would voluntarily surrender her license within five days. Redburn’s license is now listed as cancelled.
Just a few weeks before the plea, Redburn renewed her bail bond license. The DIFP and Redburn entered into a consent agreement that if Redburn was found guilty in any of the charges against her, she would voluntarily surrender her license within five days. Redburn’s license is now listed as cancelled.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Bondsman Files Suit Against Police Department
General bail bond agent Gerald Cox, and his son, James Cox, have filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Maryland Heights, its police chief, and two of its officers. The 12 count complaint alleges defamation, slander, malicious prosecution, violation of civil rights, and tortuous interference. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court, St Louis.
The Cox men were investigated and arrested last fall by the Maryland Heights Police Department after four bounty hunters apprehended a fugitive, Leah Pinion, and her cosignor and boyfriend, Lance Peabody. The two were apprehended in a hotel and were transported to Cox’s office. Peabody’s car was also transported to the office. Several months later, the police charged Jim and Jerry Cox with burglary, kidnapping, tampering with a motor vehicle, and stealing. James Cox was additionally charged with unlawful conduct as a surety recovery agent, and Jerry Cox was additionally charged with fail to inform law enforcement of apprehension. The charges against both men were dropped earlier this year.
After their arrests, Gerald Cox and Cox Bail Bonds was suspended from writing bonds in the City of St. Louis and several other jurisdictions. The lawsuit alleges a loss of income of $174,000.
The complaint states that neither James nor Jerry Cox had instructed the bounty hunters to apprehend Lance Peabody and that neither were aware that it was occurring until after it happened, and that a valid contract existed for the payment of the bond fees charged to Lance Peabody, and paid by Peabody’s mother, Arlene Taylor. A separate written contract explaining the relationship between the bounty hunter and Cox, Inc. was also shown and explained to the detectives. The complaint also alleges that Maryland Heights Police Department further discovered that the bounty hunter and those assisting him were indeed independent contractors, and that neither Gerald nor James Cox had known what was occurring at the LaQuinta Hotel until after it had happened. The complaint further alleges that no factual basis or legal probable cause existed to seek or obtain criminal charges against Gerald or James Cox for the events which occurred at the LaQuinta Hotel, nor was there a factual basis or legal probable cause to seek or obtain criminal charges regarding the contract between Peabody and Cox, Inc.
New Coverage:
Riverfront Times
STL Post Dispatch
Previous Posts:
Charges Dropped Against Cox 5/1/2009
Cox Case in RFT 12/10/2008
Cox Case in STL Post Dispatch 11/27/2008
Bondsman Charged 11/26/2008
The Cox men were investigated and arrested last fall by the Maryland Heights Police Department after four bounty hunters apprehended a fugitive, Leah Pinion, and her cosignor and boyfriend, Lance Peabody. The two were apprehended in a hotel and were transported to Cox’s office. Peabody’s car was also transported to the office. Several months later, the police charged Jim and Jerry Cox with burglary, kidnapping, tampering with a motor vehicle, and stealing. James Cox was additionally charged with unlawful conduct as a surety recovery agent, and Jerry Cox was additionally charged with fail to inform law enforcement of apprehension. The charges against both men were dropped earlier this year.
After their arrests, Gerald Cox and Cox Bail Bonds was suspended from writing bonds in the City of St. Louis and several other jurisdictions. The lawsuit alleges a loss of income of $174,000.
The complaint states that neither James nor Jerry Cox had instructed the bounty hunters to apprehend Lance Peabody and that neither were aware that it was occurring until after it happened, and that a valid contract existed for the payment of the bond fees charged to Lance Peabody, and paid by Peabody’s mother, Arlene Taylor. A separate written contract explaining the relationship between the bounty hunter and Cox, Inc. was also shown and explained to the detectives. The complaint also alleges that Maryland Heights Police Department further discovered that the bounty hunter and those assisting him were indeed independent contractors, and that neither Gerald nor James Cox had known what was occurring at the LaQuinta Hotel until after it had happened. The complaint further alleges that no factual basis or legal probable cause existed to seek or obtain criminal charges against Gerald or James Cox for the events which occurred at the LaQuinta Hotel, nor was there a factual basis or legal probable cause to seek or obtain criminal charges regarding the contract between Peabody and Cox, Inc.
New Coverage:
Riverfront Times
STL Post Dispatch
Previous Posts:
Charges Dropped Against Cox 5/1/2009
Cox Case in RFT 12/10/2008
Cox Case in STL Post Dispatch 11/27/2008
Bondsman Charged 11/26/2008
Sunday, May 17, 2009
FBI Charges Bondsmen & Clerk
According to this press release from the FBI, two bondsmen and a municipal court clerk have been indicted in federal court for altering court records. The indictment alleges that Wichita, Kansas Municipal Court employee, Kaylene Pottorff took bribes to change court records for the benefit of bonding agents Alicia Bell and Jessie Garland.
According to the indictment:
Pottorff worked as a collections officer for the Wichita Municipal Court. During a period from March 2004 through April 2008, she changed and removed data from the court’s computerized records system for the benefit of co-defendants Alicia Bell and Jessie Garland.
Pottorff accepted bribes from Bell and Garland, both of whom worked as bondsman agents, for falsifying the court’s computerized records.
On multiple occasions, Bell used fraudulently altered lists of active bonds from court records, together with false and fraudulent jail booking forms she created, to defraud her mother, Pearl Neal, AAA Bonding Company, and others.
On multiple occasions, Garland used fraudulently altered lists of active bonds from court records to defraud B&J Enterprises and Larry Hiebert, the bondsman and surety company on Garland’s bonds.
The investigation, which is ongoing, is being conducted by the FBI, the Wichita Police Department and the U.S. Attorney. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson and U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch are prosecuting.
According to the indictment:
Pottorff worked as a collections officer for the Wichita Municipal Court. During a period from March 2004 through April 2008, she changed and removed data from the court’s computerized records system for the benefit of co-defendants Alicia Bell and Jessie Garland.
Pottorff accepted bribes from Bell and Garland, both of whom worked as bondsman agents, for falsifying the court’s computerized records.
On multiple occasions, Bell used fraudulently altered lists of active bonds from court records, together with false and fraudulent jail booking forms she created, to defraud her mother, Pearl Neal, AAA Bonding Company, and others.
On multiple occasions, Garland used fraudulently altered lists of active bonds from court records to defraud B&J Enterprises and Larry Hiebert, the bondsman and surety company on Garland’s bonds.
The investigation, which is ongoing, is being conducted by the FBI, the Wichita Police Department and the U.S. Attorney. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson and U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch are prosecuting.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Vinson Tells About Fugitive Incident
Bondsman Dave Vinson granted an interview with the Lake Sun Leader. After being found guilty of two misdemeanor offenses involving a fugitive recovery incident, Vinson told his side of the story.
Vinson told the Lake Sun Leader that he and another bondsman, Jason Dampier, had located fugitive Ronald Brown in a vehicle in Versailles. Brown turned onto a dead end street. Vinson said Dampier got out of the car and walked up to Brown’s vehicle, asking him to get out. Instead Brown threw the car into reverse and attempted to back over Dampier. Vinson said Dampier told him he heard the gears shifting and because of that was able to narrowly escape being struck by diving behind their own vehicle. Vinson had his Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol drawn. Brown pulled the car forward, this time over lawns, attempting to find a way out of the dead-end. Vinson said he fired off one round, shattering the back window of the SUV. “I fired at a location where I knew I wasn’t going to hit him. I hoped the sound of the gun, of the bullet, would scare him into stopping before someone got hurt,” Vinson said. With at least 20-feet now between them, Brown attempted to back up over Vinson and Dampier again, Vinson said. It was enough room to do real damage if Brown managed to strike his targets. This time, he managed to drive away.
Previous Posts
Vinson Found Guilty of Misdemeanors
Lake Sun-New Info on Fugitive Case
Bondsman Held After Shots Fired
Vinson told the Lake Sun Leader that he and another bondsman, Jason Dampier, had located fugitive Ronald Brown in a vehicle in Versailles. Brown turned onto a dead end street. Vinson said Dampier got out of the car and walked up to Brown’s vehicle, asking him to get out. Instead Brown threw the car into reverse and attempted to back over Dampier. Vinson said Dampier told him he heard the gears shifting and because of that was able to narrowly escape being struck by diving behind their own vehicle. Vinson had his Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol drawn. Brown pulled the car forward, this time over lawns, attempting to find a way out of the dead-end. Vinson said he fired off one round, shattering the back window of the SUV. “I fired at a location where I knew I wasn’t going to hit him. I hoped the sound of the gun, of the bullet, would scare him into stopping before someone got hurt,” Vinson said. With at least 20-feet now between them, Brown attempted to back up over Vinson and Dampier again, Vinson said. It was enough room to do real damage if Brown managed to strike his targets. This time, he managed to drive away.
Previous Posts
Vinson Found Guilty of Misdemeanors
Lake Sun-New Info on Fugitive Case
Bondsman Held After Shots Fired
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Two Men Plead Guilty in Home Invasion
Former bondsman Thaddeus Bibb entered a guilty plea last week in Jefferson County to charges related to a fugitive recovery incident. Bibb, two other bondsmen, and two unlicensed men were arrested in 2007 after forcing entry on a wrong house in Jefferson County. The couple living in the house, Garth and Melissa Myers, called police and the five men were arrested. Bibb failed to appear for bench trial last December and remained a fugitive until March. He was surrendered and held on a capias bond until his plea hearing last week. Four of the charges against him were dismissed, and according to casenet he entered a plea of guilty to felonious restraint, armed criminal action, and burglary. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29th.
Three of the other men, Rudolph Whiston, Brandon Morgan and Steven Morgan have also been sentenced. Last week, Rudolph Whiston pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious restraint and property damage. He was placed on five years probation. Earlier this year, former bondsman Steven Morgan pleaded guilty to felonious restraint, armed criminal action and property damage. The judge sentenced him to five years in DOC and suspended execution of sentence and placed him on five years supervised probation. Steven Morgan is no longer licensed as a bail bond agent after he let his license lapse. Brandon Morgan pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious restraint and acting as a surety recovery agent without a license. Brandon Morgan was sentenced to three years in DOC, execution of sentence was suspended, and he was placed on five years supervised probation.
Bondsman Randall Avett is scheduled to go to trial in July.
The Myers have filed a civil action against all five men, AAA Bail Bonds, and Rick Adams.
Story on KSDK
Previous Posts
Bibb Wanted for Failing to Appear
Three Bondsmen Arrested
Three of the other men, Rudolph Whiston, Brandon Morgan and Steven Morgan have also been sentenced. Last week, Rudolph Whiston pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious restraint and property damage. He was placed on five years probation. Earlier this year, former bondsman Steven Morgan pleaded guilty to felonious restraint, armed criminal action and property damage. The judge sentenced him to five years in DOC and suspended execution of sentence and placed him on five years supervised probation. Steven Morgan is no longer licensed as a bail bond agent after he let his license lapse. Brandon Morgan pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious restraint and acting as a surety recovery agent without a license. Brandon Morgan was sentenced to three years in DOC, execution of sentence was suspended, and he was placed on five years supervised probation.
Bondsman Randall Avett is scheduled to go to trial in July.
The Myers have filed a civil action against all five men, AAA Bail Bonds, and Rick Adams.
Story on KSDK
Previous Posts
Bibb Wanted for Failing to Appear
Three Bondsmen Arrested
Vinson Found Guilty of Misdemeanors in Fugitive Case
Bondsman David Vinson was found guilty of two misdemeanor offenses, 3rd degree assault and property damage, in a fugitive recovery incident in Morgan County. Vinson had originally been charged with five felonies. The Lake Sun Leader reported that Vinson shot at a vehicle, shattering the back glass. The initial news accounts reported that defendant Ronald Brown, 25, was facing multiple charges passing bad checks and driving with a suspended license. He was scheduled to appear in court. Versailles Assistant Police Chief James Burkhart said Brown had sent a 'significant other' into court for him to make an excuse why he couldn't be there while Brown was outside in his vehicle circling town. When Vinson found him, they took off in a car chase through Versailles, Burkhart said. Vinson managed to corner Brown on a dead-end street. There was yelling, Burkhart said, which prompted nearby residents to call police. Vinson fired his gun at Brown's vehicle. Vinson said that the vehicle had been backing toward him and he acted in self defense. As officers were arriving, Brown escaped by driving through a resident's yard.
Snyder's Case Dismissed
Charges against bondsman Bill Snyder have been dismissed. Snyder was charged last fall with forging a power of attorney for a bail bond executed under Ben Hilton’s authority in Camden County.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Charges Dropped Against Bondsmen and Bounty Hunters
The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that all charges against Gerald Cox and his son, James Cox, have been dismissed. According to the report, criminal charges were also dropped against Morris A. Davis and Kevin Grillion. Charges were still pending against two others, Dennis Weatherford and Erik A. Nolan.
James Cox is quoted in the article, “My father and I maintained our innocence from the beginning. Due to professionalism of the St. Louis County prosecutor's office, they saw our way."
James Cox is quoted in the article, “My father and I maintained our innocence from the beginning. Due to professionalism of the St. Louis County prosecutor's office, they saw our way."
Friday, March 13, 2009
Fox 2 Airs Story on Bail Industry in MO
Channel 2-Fox News aired a story last night concerning the bail bond industry in Missouri. The report featured a fugitive recovery agent kicking in a door to look for a fugitive. Later, the report looked into the Lee Clause and its effects on the industry. The report detailed the MPBBA’s role in drafting the 15-year felon provision in legislation to allow Lee Jackson to be eligible to become a general bail bond agent The report stated “But the State of Missouri trusted violent felon Virgil Lee Jackson after he pushed for a new law five years ago. It allowed felons to be bail bondsmen. The felony just has to be older than 15 years and Jackson's offenses including two burglaries, unlawful use of a weapon and a first degree robbery were all more than 20 years ago.…So why did Missouri Legislators listen to a felon like Jackson? At the time, he was part of the Missouri Professional Bail Bond Association. According to MO records, the Association, and its members, contributed at least $1,300 to the bill's sponsor - former Missouri Representative Robert Behnen. The new law is even known today as the Lee clause -- named after Lee Jackson.”
Thursday, March 12, 2009
News from Other States
AZ-Channel 5-KPHO of Phoenix, reported that bondsman Dana Schnell set up a successful sting operation to "con" a con man into custody after he failed to appear on the $70,000 bond posted by Schnell. The fugitive is accused of cheating more than 20 people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a mortgage scam.
Schnell convinced fugitive, Jeffrey Herald, that he was an old family friend and was willing to loan Herald some much needed cash to go to Las Vegas. Schnell agreed to meet Herald at his daughter's apartment then drive to the bank to hand over the cash. When they stepped out of the car authorities moved in and arrested Herald. Scnell told reporters, "When we got out and detectives pulled up his face expression was unreal. I'm sure it is the same expression as other people he conned when they found out they were not getting money."
NC- WRAL, in Raleigh, North Carolina, hosted a segment in which viewers could ask questions of Mark Cartret, president of the North Carolina Bail Agents Association. Some of the submitted questions included: How do bonds work? Is your job really like on TV? Can you carry a gun? Read the full interview here.
FL-The Orlando Business Journal reports that Florida bondsmen are upset that about $3 billion of the $787 billion federal stimulus bill will be spent on expanding the pretrial release system. “You have a private industry in Florida that doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime, and you’re going to replace that with a government-run program using tax dollars?” said Mike Snapp, owner of Mike Snapp Bail Bonds in Orlando. Debbie Jallad, president of Orlando-based Accredited Surety & Casualty Co. Inc., said dedicating more funds to government pretrial release programs is a poor use of taxpayer dollars when the budgets of other programs are being cut.
MN-Two Minnesota bondsmen have been charged with felony burglary and four related misdemeanor offenses for entering a home and handcuffing the wrong person. According to a report from the Rochester Post-Bulletin, the two bondsmen knocked on the door and handcuffed the man after he opened the door. According to police, the bondsmen were looking for a 26-year-old black man; however, the man they handcuffed was a 57-year-old white man. The bondsmen released the man after neighbors confirmed that they had the wrong man and the man they were looking for had never lived in the apartment.
CO-News Channel 7, in Denver, reports that a bondsman was arrested for criminal trespass for kicking in the door of a reported bond co-signer. According to the report, police say the apartment is leased by a co-signer of a bond, but that co-signer doesn't live with the wanted parties and that co-signer was not home at the time of the incident.
Schnell convinced fugitive, Jeffrey Herald, that he was an old family friend and was willing to loan Herald some much needed cash to go to Las Vegas. Schnell agreed to meet Herald at his daughter's apartment then drive to the bank to hand over the cash. When they stepped out of the car authorities moved in and arrested Herald. Scnell told reporters, "When we got out and detectives pulled up his face expression was unreal. I'm sure it is the same expression as other people he conned when they found out they were not getting money."
NC- WRAL, in Raleigh, North Carolina, hosted a segment in which viewers could ask questions of Mark Cartret, president of the North Carolina Bail Agents Association. Some of the submitted questions included: How do bonds work? Is your job really like on TV? Can you carry a gun? Read the full interview here.
FL-The Orlando Business Journal reports that Florida bondsmen are upset that about $3 billion of the $787 billion federal stimulus bill will be spent on expanding the pretrial release system. “You have a private industry in Florida that doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime, and you’re going to replace that with a government-run program using tax dollars?” said Mike Snapp, owner of Mike Snapp Bail Bonds in Orlando. Debbie Jallad, president of Orlando-based Accredited Surety & Casualty Co. Inc., said dedicating more funds to government pretrial release programs is a poor use of taxpayer dollars when the budgets of other programs are being cut.
MN-Two Minnesota bondsmen have been charged with felony burglary and four related misdemeanor offenses for entering a home and handcuffing the wrong person. According to a report from the Rochester Post-Bulletin, the two bondsmen knocked on the door and handcuffed the man after he opened the door. According to police, the bondsmen were looking for a 26-year-old black man; however, the man they handcuffed was a 57-year-old white man. The bondsmen released the man after neighbors confirmed that they had the wrong man and the man they were looking for had never lived in the apartment.
CO-News Channel 7, in Denver, reports that a bondsman was arrested for criminal trespass for kicking in the door of a reported bond co-signer. According to the report, police say the apartment is leased by a co-signer of a bond, but that co-signer doesn't live with the wanted parties and that co-signer was not home at the time of the incident.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
MS-Seven Bondsmen Charged with Kidnapping, Robbery
Mississippi-A bizarre bail bond story is developing in Picayune, MS. The story began back in December 2008, when a bail bond agent and a convicted felon were arrested for allegedly committing armed robbery while returning a defendant to jail. According to an article in The Picayune Item, licensed agent Elisha Bourgeois, and an unlicensed convicted felon, Kenneth Maynard, robbed bail bond client Mark Harris of $50 at gunpoint after apprehending him for a warrant. The company owner, Anita Carol Pearson, said that a receipt was given for the money and the money was seized as bounty hunting fees. Investigator Donnie Saucier disagreed saying, “Any time money or goods are taken from a person by force and against their will, it’s robbery, if people want to leave receipts for their robberies, then that fine with us.”
After the story ran in The Picayune Item, four other alleged victims came forward and reported similar stories of being kidnapped, at times with the use of a weapon, handcuffed and robbed of money and belongings. In January, a search warrant was obtained and Pearson’s bail bond company, A-1 Outlaw Bonding.
In February, Pearson, six of her agents, and Kenneth Maynard were arrested. Anita Carol Pearson was charged with accessory before the fact kidnapping, felony conspiracy to commit extortion, felony extortion, conspiracy to commit grand robbery, accessory before the fact armed robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, misdemeanor extortion and accessory before the fact felony extortion. Bondsman Sean Bourgeois was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery. Bondsman Edward Johnson Jr. was charged with kidnapping, misdemeanor extortion and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Bondsman Mack Pearson was charged with misdemeanor extortion and kidnapping. Bondsman Kevin Spiers was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. Bondsman Kevin Pearson was charged with felony extortion, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Bondsman Elisha Bourgeois was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. The unlicensed felon, Kenneth D. Maynard, was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and also arrested in December for armed robbery stemming from the same investigation.
According to the most recent article in The Picayune Item, company owner Anita Carol Pearson was additionally charged last week with conspiracy to intimidate a state witness after allegedly attempting to pay an inmate to cause physical harm to another inmate, Mark Harris, who was the initial witness in the case against her. Chief Investigator Saucier said the investigation into the most recent charges against Pearson began when he was contacted by a confidential source inside the jail who told him that Pearson had asked the source to cause Harris “bodily harm.” Two recorded phone calls involved conversations between the informant and Pearson concerning causing bodily harm to the witness in exchange for money, Saucier said. Later, investigators sent in another informant wearing a wire to talk to Pearson. Allegedly, Pearson asked the informant if she was wired or if she worked for the Sheriff’s Department. According to Saucier, after the informant indicated she was not wired nor worked for the Sheriff’s Department, $100 was given to the informant in exchange for “bodily harm” to be done to Harris.
Now this is where things get really bizarre. According to the report in The Picayune Item, Pearson was taken before Justice Court Judge Nell Y. Cowart for her initial appearance. Judge Cowart reportedly became irritated that Pearson was in shackles and asked three different law enforcement officers to remove the shackles saying, “Carol is not a criminal. She’s not going to stay here another night, that’s all I got to say.” When the officers refused to remove the shackles, Judge Cowart asked Pearson if she minded that the shackles remain on as the proceedings took place. Allegedly, just before Judge Cowart went to swear in Investigator Saucier as a witness, she told him she knew he was going to tell her a lie, and then proceeded to swear him in. According to the article, Saucier did not respond to the comment by Judge Cowart and proceeded with his testimony. Judge Cowart set Pearson’s bond at $5,000. After Pearson was escorted out of the courtroom, Judge Cowart apologized to the chief deputy and Saucier for “bucking the system."
When I read the news report, I was so stunned by the judge's bias and partiality toward a litigant and disrespect toward a witness, I decided to look up Judge Cowart’s history. She was re-elected to her present position in 2007 in an unopposed election. In 2006, Judge Cowart was issued a public reprimand, suspended for 30 days, and fined by the Mississippi Supreme Court for violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct for Mississippi Judges. The court held that Judge Cowart committed misconduct by having ex parte communications with parties to a criminal case and ticket fixing.
After the story ran in The Picayune Item, four other alleged victims came forward and reported similar stories of being kidnapped, at times with the use of a weapon, handcuffed and robbed of money and belongings. In January, a search warrant was obtained and Pearson’s bail bond company, A-1 Outlaw Bonding.
In February, Pearson, six of her agents, and Kenneth Maynard were arrested. Anita Carol Pearson was charged with accessory before the fact kidnapping, felony conspiracy to commit extortion, felony extortion, conspiracy to commit grand robbery, accessory before the fact armed robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, misdemeanor extortion and accessory before the fact felony extortion. Bondsman Sean Bourgeois was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery. Bondsman Edward Johnson Jr. was charged with kidnapping, misdemeanor extortion and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Bondsman Mack Pearson was charged with misdemeanor extortion and kidnapping. Bondsman Kevin Spiers was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. Bondsman Kevin Pearson was charged with felony extortion, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Bondsman Elisha Bourgeois was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. The unlicensed felon, Kenneth D. Maynard, was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and also arrested in December for armed robbery stemming from the same investigation.
According to the most recent article in The Picayune Item, company owner Anita Carol Pearson was additionally charged last week with conspiracy to intimidate a state witness after allegedly attempting to pay an inmate to cause physical harm to another inmate, Mark Harris, who was the initial witness in the case against her. Chief Investigator Saucier said the investigation into the most recent charges against Pearson began when he was contacted by a confidential source inside the jail who told him that Pearson had asked the source to cause Harris “bodily harm.” Two recorded phone calls involved conversations between the informant and Pearson concerning causing bodily harm to the witness in exchange for money, Saucier said. Later, investigators sent in another informant wearing a wire to talk to Pearson. Allegedly, Pearson asked the informant if she was wired or if she worked for the Sheriff’s Department. According to Saucier, after the informant indicated she was not wired nor worked for the Sheriff’s Department, $100 was given to the informant in exchange for “bodily harm” to be done to Harris.
Now this is where things get really bizarre. According to the report in The Picayune Item, Pearson was taken before Justice Court Judge Nell Y. Cowart for her initial appearance. Judge Cowart reportedly became irritated that Pearson was in shackles and asked three different law enforcement officers to remove the shackles saying, “Carol is not a criminal. She’s not going to stay here another night, that’s all I got to say.” When the officers refused to remove the shackles, Judge Cowart asked Pearson if she minded that the shackles remain on as the proceedings took place. Allegedly, just before Judge Cowart went to swear in Investigator Saucier as a witness, she told him she knew he was going to tell her a lie, and then proceeded to swear him in. According to the article, Saucier did not respond to the comment by Judge Cowart and proceeded with his testimony. Judge Cowart set Pearson’s bond at $5,000. After Pearson was escorted out of the courtroom, Judge Cowart apologized to the chief deputy and Saucier for “bucking the system."
When I read the news report, I was so stunned by the judge's bias and partiality toward a litigant and disrespect toward a witness, I decided to look up Judge Cowart’s history. She was re-elected to her present position in 2007 in an unopposed election. In 2006, Judge Cowart was issued a public reprimand, suspended for 30 days, and fined by the Mississippi Supreme Court for violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct for Mississippi Judges. The court held that Judge Cowart committed misconduct by having ex parte communications with parties to a criminal case and ticket fixing.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
KC Couple Allege Forced Entry on Wrong House
KCTV-Channel 5, of Kansas City, reported that three bounty hunters kicked in the wrong door in the middle of the night last week. According to the report, Brandon Conner, his wife and four children said that three men claiming to be police pounded on the door of their house while Conner called 911. Conner said the men then kicked down the door, searched through the house and then quickly left.
According to the report, the bounty hunters were looking for a fugitive who lived at the address four months earlier. Police say the bounty hunters represented ASAP Bail Bonds, Inc. The report does not identify the three men and whether they were licensed.
ASAP Bail Bonds, Inc. is a licensed bail bond corporation. According to Missouri Secretary of State’s website, the president is Raymond Plante, a licensed bail bond agent. The secretary is John Garrett, who is not licensed according to DIFP online records. ASAP is qualified in the 16th Circuit to write bonds under Roche Surety and Casualty Co, Inc.
The Conners said they want stricter laws to avoid mistakes like this one and an apology.
According to the report, the bounty hunters were looking for a fugitive who lived at the address four months earlier. Police say the bounty hunters represented ASAP Bail Bonds, Inc. The report does not identify the three men and whether they were licensed.
ASAP Bail Bonds, Inc. is a licensed bail bond corporation. According to Missouri Secretary of State’s website, the president is Raymond Plante, a licensed bail bond agent. The secretary is John Garrett, who is not licensed according to DIFP online records. ASAP is qualified in the 16th Circuit to write bonds under Roche Surety and Casualty Co, Inc.
The Conners said they want stricter laws to avoid mistakes like this one and an apology.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
AR-Bondsman Holds Rape Suspect for Police
AR-According to this report at KNWA-TV, an Arkansas bondsman, John Collins, and a truck driver, Sam Hollomon, are being called good Samaritans after they held a rape suspect until police could arrive. Collins held rape suspect Kevin Baltz at a gas station in West Fork, after the E-Z mart employee reported that Baltz raped her in the store's restroom. The employee reported to Hollomon that she had just been raped by a man exiting the gas station. Police say Baltz had lured her into the bathroom reporting that the toilet was not working. When the employee went into the bathroom, Baltz followed her in and raped her. Hollomon confronted the accused rapist in the parking lot. Baltz tried to escape and hit a pole in the parking lot, disabling his vehicle. Collins arrived and held Baltz until police arrived. At this time, Baltz is being held without bond.
Friday, January 23, 2009
AL-Bail Companies Accused of Hacking Sheriff's Computer
AL-According to a report from the Mobile Press-Register, three Mobile County, Alabama bail bond companies have been accused of hacking into the Sheriff's Office Web site to get personal information on inmates and gain a competitive advantage. According to the report, bonding agents at A to Z Bail Bonds, Central Bonding and Bandit Bail Bonds somehow obtained a login and password allowing them access to a protected portion of the Web site, Sheriff Sam Cochran said. The companies are accused of using that information to contact inmates' relatives and get their business. That gave the companies a leg up on their competitors, who rely on walk-ins and cold calls from the inmates themselves, Cochran said.
No arrests have been made, but charges could be filed later as the investigation progresses, Cochran said. Deputies served search warrants at the bonding companies seizing seven computers in the process. The sheriff reported that two computers at the companies were still logged onto the site when deputies walked in the door.
Clint Ulmer, who runs Bandit Bail Bonds, didn't deny accessing the jail Web site. On the contrary, he said that he and just about every other bonding company had a password and accessed the Web site on a regular basis. Ulmer said that the password his company used was given to him by a sheriff's deputy. Investigators are still trying to find out how the password was leaked.
The Sheriff's Office began its investigation after receiving complaints from other bonding companies, Cochran said. In order to find out who was accessing the site, he said, technicians planted false contact information in the system. When representatives from the companies called to solicit business, they were talking to undercover deputies instead of family members, the sheriff said.
No arrests have been made, but charges could be filed later as the investigation progresses, Cochran said. Deputies served search warrants at the bonding companies seizing seven computers in the process. The sheriff reported that two computers at the companies were still logged onto the site when deputies walked in the door.
Clint Ulmer, who runs Bandit Bail Bonds, didn't deny accessing the jail Web site. On the contrary, he said that he and just about every other bonding company had a password and accessed the Web site on a regular basis. Ulmer said that the password his company used was given to him by a sheriff's deputy. Investigators are still trying to find out how the password was leaked.
The Sheriff's Office began its investigation after receiving complaints from other bonding companies, Cochran said. In order to find out who was accessing the site, he said, technicians planted false contact information in the system. When representatives from the companies called to solicit business, they were talking to undercover deputies instead of family members, the sheriff said.
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