Mexicans Charge Bounty Hunters for Snatching Convicted Rapist

Sacramento Bee ^ | June 21, 2003 | John Rice

[Mister Magoo]

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) - Bounty hunters who captured cosmetics heir and convicted rapist Andrew Luster could spend four years in a Mexican jail for snatching him without alerting local authorities in a country that considers their profession little better than kidnapping. Charges of criminal association and illegal deprivation of liberty - which is similar to kidnapping without requesting a ransom - were filed Friday against Duane "Dog" Chapman and others.

[Mr. Mojo]

in a country that considers their profession little better than kidnapping.

Yeah, the Mexican gov't sure is an ethical, upstanding bunch. </ sarcasm>

[firewalk]

bttt

[Imal]

It's also "illegal" to just be an American standing around in Mexico, subject to a fine of whatever you have in your pocket, payable to the "arresting officer" on the spot.

This is just another such shakedown, and Mr. Chapman should have known better than to have -any- contact with "local authorities" there, who are nothing more than the modern equivalent of the pirates on Mexico's Barbary Coast. He can expect some hefty fines if he doesn't want to spend time in a Mexican jail (the western hemisphere's equivalent of a Turkish prison), while Mr. Luster the Rapist can expect to be let go after he finds a way to funnel some money into the right pockets.

And that is why I never go there: I know too many people that have.

Meanwhile, Mr. Luster has been demonstrated to have fled the U.S. to avoid imprisonment, a federal crime. Where is the FBI in this case?

[gunnedah]

Had Luster been an ordinary person, Mexico would have stood by an done nothing. Money talks whether you are a crook or not.

[OREALLY]

I read another article that there was evidence that Luster was already planning a raping binge on Mexican woman...Dog should get a medal from the Mexican Government...but it is Mexican policy to suck every dime they can out of Americans.

My husband and I checked out retiring in Mexico and we were shocked by the incrediable financial requirements for American retires' to live there...I wish our country would follow Mexico's policy ! That would leave out 99% of Mexicans that came to our country 'legally'...

[xusafflyer]

The Mexican courts won't extradicte felons facing life or death sentences in the US. Bounty Hunters are the only way to do it.

That's why we can't grab that cop killer who fled from Irwindale last year and is living in the open in Mexico.

[Billy_bob_bob]

Everything you just said is true. Now for the amazing part. This is a "nation" that we have signed trade agreements with, like NAFTA and GATT. Now, consider the reality of what you pointed out, then put that together with the reality of NAFTA and GATT.

You'll know when you have truly realized this point when you need asprin and/or a drink.

[Khurkris]

Point of information: A FBI fugitive team was in Mexico making its way to Mr. Luster when he was being taken captive. His presence there was known to the Feds and they were going thru the paperwork. Bounty guy just was ahead of their curve in his apprehension. In the fugitive capture business Chapman has a very bad reputation.

[Imal]

Both of your points are well taken.

I find the idea of "open borders" with a regime little better than the one we just overthrew in Iraq galling and alarming. Mexico is a nation full of little Saddams, each running their fiefdoms however they please, and passing up a small share of the take to the gansters in the federal government. Hmm, sounds like Californica, now that I think about it...

My use of the Barbary Coast analogy was not casual. I think we need to use a similar approach here.

Too bad we seem to lack politicians of the stature of Thomas Jefferson in our government today, otherwise, this issue would have already been dealt with militarily, instead of through the payment of ransoms and tribute to a lawless regime.

[Slyfox]

If the FBI nabs somebody first, do they get the reward?

[Imal]

His presence there was known to the Feds and they were going thru the paperwork.

In other words, greasing the right palms. Sounds like the "dog" may have screwed the pooch for the feds. :^)

[wimpycat]

They're in jail because the cops were cut out of the action...i.e., the money.

[tallhappy]

FBI are mad because they got showed up.

FBI can say they were about to get him all they want.

FBI seem to be behaving very unethically and irresponsibly out of picque in not getting these Americans released.

[Servant of the Nine]

There will be some Argle Bargle about "sovereignty", but the way it is gonna work out is obvious from the speed with which they sent Luster back.
In a week or so the bounty hunters will pay less than $10,000 in fines and promise never to do it again and be sent home.

So9

[ImpotentRage]

"FBI seem to be behaving very unethically and irresponsibly out of picque in not getting these Americans released."

The FBI seems to be behaving unethically and irresponsibly in many matters these days. The Departments needs to be disbanded and/or replaced.

[Khurkris]

No.

[The_Pickle]

"These people carried out the detention here without any support or collaboration from any Mexican authority," said prosecutor Marco Roberto Juarez.

Translation: "These people failed to pay the proper bibes to the Mexican authority"

[Khurkris]

"In other words, greasing the right palms. Sounds like the "dog" may have screwed the pooch for the feds. :^)"

"FBI are mad because they got showed up. FBI can say they were about to get him all they want. FBI seem to be behaving very unethically and irresponsibly out of picque in not getting these Americans released."

I can find nothing which supports any of these conclusions.

[Tacis]

You always have to view Mexican corruption from the big picture. Presidente Fox gets a cut of even the smallest bribe or payoff in Mexico. He has many PANistas to support and needs the cash.

Under the guise of protecting Mexican nationals in Mexico from gringos, he gets protection money from all the wetbacks who have murdered people in the US and ducked back across the border for protection.

If Fox lets Chapman get away with this raid, every Mexican murderer/criminal will be subject to the same risk despite his payments to Fox. Not only murderers, but all those folks who were in accidents while uninsured and all those folks who make a good living stealing cars in the US and selling them in Mexico (cut to Fox, of course). No, Fox can't afford to let Yankee justice operate in Mexico, it'd cut too deep into his profits.