Common Sense

And to drive that fact home to us mere mortals yesterday, Duane Chapman, best known from his hit A&E television show Dog the Bounty Hunter, was arrested in Hawaii Thursday. Why, you ask? The Mexican government requested it because he allegedly jumped bail in that country.

The charges stem from Chapman’s capture of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Villarta, Mexico, said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.

Chapman’s capture of Luster, who had fled the country after being convicted of raping three women, catapulted the 53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series on A&E.

The three are being held in Honolulu. Bail has not been set. They will face an extradition hearing to Mexico under terms of treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, Credic said…

Charges have been pending against the three since local police in Mexico arrested them shortly after they roped in Luster. They posted bail but never returned to Puerto Villarta for their court hearing on July 15, 2003, Credic said.

If we learn nothing else from this, and I can’t stress this enough people, its that we do, in fact, have extradition treaties with Mexico. If you commit a crime here, and go there, you can still be arrested and sent back here for trial and federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison.