According to the A&E Network, charges of 'illegal detention and conspiracy' against bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman, his brother and son, have been dismissed by a Mexican court.The court ruled that the statute of limitations in the case had expired, according to Chapman’s legal team.
Prosecutors have until August 8th to decide whether to appeal, said Doug Jacobs, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at A&E.
A full appeal could take two months to resolve.
Chapman, his brother Tim and son Leland, were arrested Sept. 14, 2006, by U.S. Marshals and jailed in Honolulu on behalf of the Mexican government.
The three men were released on bail and ordered to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for house arrest.
The charges stemmed from Chapman’s capture of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster, who had fled the country while on trial for criminal charges, June 18, 2003, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, said Marshals' spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.
The Chapmans were charged with 'Deprivation of Liberty' under Mexican law.
They posted bail but were 'unaware' of their obligation to return and never did return to Puerto Vallarta for their court hearing.
Dog's capture of Luster catapulted the bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series, "Dog The Bounty Hunter" on A&E.
Chapman’s wife, Beth, was also detained in September 2006.
Federal marshals allegedly caught her wearing an A&E body mike when entering the courthouse for her husband’s bond hearing. Electronic recording devices are prohibited by law from being carried into federal courthouses. She was released after explaining that she forgot to take it off before walking into court...
