Petition to Free "Dog" Chapman

In 2003, serial rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster fled the U.S. to Mexico during his trial for the drugging and raping of three women over a four year span. His was subsequently tracked and followed by famed bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman, Chapman's brother Tim and son Leland to Puerto Vallarta where Luster was living under an assumed name. Chapman placed Luster under arrest and prepared to return the fugitive to the United States. One would imagine the Mexican authorities would be grateful to have this dangerous scumbag out of their country but here's what happened next:

As bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico, Dog, Tim and Leland were arrested by the Mexican authorities and Luster was handed over to the United States government by the Mexicans. He was subsequently found guilty and is currently serving a 124 year prison sentence. Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico, and Dog, Tim and Leland were arrested by the Mexican authorities. After being released on bail, Dog, his family and team, returned to Hawaii and to their lives as bounty hunters.

For the next three years, the Chapmans tended to their bail bonds business, their bounty hunting and their successful TV show. Then, last month, this happened:

Dog, Leland and Tim were taken into custody by U.S. Marshals early Thursday, September 14 in connection with charges stemming from their 2003 arrest of convicted serial rapist, Andrew Luster.

Dog, Leland and Tim were all released on bail on Friday, September 15th, 2006, as the judge concluded they are not flight risks. While out on bail, they will be required to remain in the state and wear electronic monitoring devices until they return to court for extradition hearings to face trial in Mexico. No date has been set for those hearings.

Dog, Tim and Leland now face possible extradition to Mexico and incarceration in a Mexican jail, where Dog has said he "wouldn't last two days," having made so many enemies tracking and arresting Mexican fugitives.

The question is, should a man face imprisonment and possibly death for the "offense" of bringing a serial rapist to justice? Here is a letter from Congressman Tom Tancredo to the Dept. of Justice expressing his outrage (PDF).

This is a travesty of justice, folks. If you agree, I urge you to take a minute and sign this petition to the American and Mexican governments.

Back To Top