Deputies: Bounty hunters broke into Clint home, kidnapped woman until husband surrendered
Sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents arrested five bounty hunters who allegedly broke into a home and kidnapped a woman, holding the victim captive until her husband surrendered.
On July 30, 2018, deputies responded to a home in Clint, Texas to investigate a kidnapping. A woman told the deputies several men forcibly entered her residence without her consent. The men were armed with firearms and were wearing tactical, law enforcement styled uniforms and badges, she said. The woman said one of the men identified himself as a U.S. Marshal and she believed them all to be commissioned law enforcement officers.
The men reportedly wanted to search the woman’s house because they were looking for her ex-husband, who they claimed had outstanding warrants. The men “unlawfully removed the victim from her home and only released her once she convinced her ex-husband to turn himself over to them,” a news release from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office states.
Further, the sheriff’s office said an investigation revealed “none of the men were in any way associated with any law enforcement agency.” The five men “were working as private fugitive recovery agents, commonly known as bounty hunters,” the sheriff’s office said.
On August 30, 2018, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the El Paso FBI Office served arrest and search warrants for the five bounty hunters.
Michael Nelson is charged with Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony, Impersonating a Public Servant and Unlawful Carrying Weapon (Handgun). Nelson’s bonds totaled $32,000.
Angel Valles was charged with Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony and Impersonating a Public Servant. Valles’ bonds totaled $30,000..
Juan Montes was charged with Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony. Montes’ bond was set at $25,000.
Cristian Jurado was charged with Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony. Jurado’s bond was set at $25,000.
Jeremy Johnson was charged with Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony. His bond was set at $25,000.
