Dismiss The Bail Bond On Duane, Leland & Tim Chapman

In September of 2006, US Marshalls raided the Hawaii homes of Duane, Leland and Tim Chapman, armed with arrest warrants listing charges of "Kidnapping." This was allegedly due to an extradition request from Mexico on "Deprivation Of Liberty" charges against the Chapmans with regard to their 2003 apprehension of the alleged "victim"; convicted serial rapist Andrew Luster, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Luster had been wanted by the FBI after being convicted in absentia on 86 counts of rape, as well as poisoning charges, and had been sentenced to 124 years imprisonment. Mr. Luster had fled the US in the middle of his trial, and taken refuge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The US Marshall's arrest warrants for the Chapmans were incorrect. The charges Mexico had against them were for the misdemeanor offense of "deprivation Of Liberty," in regard to the Luster apprehension, and not "Kidnapping." Thus, their false arrest on non-existent charges was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Subsequently, the Chapmans were released from prison on bail, with Duane "Dog" Chapman freed on a $300,000 bond regarding the aforementioned "Kidnapping" charge.

In July of 2007, the First Criminal Court in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico dismissed all "Deprivation Of Liberty" charges against Dog, Tim and Leland Chapman due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on the criminal counts pending against them. The order effectively cancelled all pending charges. However, in August of 2007, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren left The Chapmans bail bond in effect, despite the fact that the charges of "Deprivation Of Liberty" had been dismissed by the Mexican court.

We, the supporters of the Chapman family, fail to understand why this bond remains in effect, despite the fact that the Mexican charges against them were dismissed.

Further, we strongly feel that since the Mexican charges have been legally dropped, that the US bond should also be dismissed accordingly, and all bond funds returned to the Chapmans as soon as possible.

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever why this bond should remain in effect on non-existent charges. This is unfair, unlawful and utterly reprehensible. It also smacks of an illegal conspiracy against the Chapmans. With the whole world watching this case, it behooves the US government to rectify this matter immediately, and thus ensure that justice is finally served in this case.