Accused Rapist Free On Unsecured Bond?

Two North Carolina judges agreed to release Wayne Ford, an accused rapist, kidnapper and burglar on an unsecured bond with electronic monitoring. Prior to his June 25th arrest, Ford was arrested and charged for robbery in April. He was released on bond without having to put any money or property down. A local Charlotte, NC bondsman was shocked by the decision, but says pretrial release is becoming more prevalent as Mecklenburg County’s jail continues to be overcrowded.  Read More →

Man Being Held on $1 Million Bail Escapes

A North Carolina man that was being held for drug charges on at least $1 million in bail escaped after switching paperwork with another inmate. Jonathan Staton was charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and marijuana, felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of marijuana and seven counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. Ricky Bryant, the man Staton switched paperwork with, was charged with something domestic related. Staton... Read more

NC Halfway to Requiring Bail Agents to Have HS Diploma

The North Carolina Senate has just passed Senate Bill S458 which requires a person applying to be a licensed bail agent have a high school degree or GED equivalent.  In addition, a person with a misdemeanor drug violation within the past 24 months will be denied a license. After passing the Senate, the bill was introduced to the North Carolina House of Representatives.  It is currently sitting in the Committee on Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship. Read the full text of the bill here.  Read More →

Three Charged in Bondsman Licensing Case

Three North Carolina residents have been charged in a recent case where an unlicensed individual helped two bondsman apprehend a fugitive.  North Carolina’s State Department of Insurance has been cracking down recently on bail agents and recovery agents acting without being licensed.  Johanna Royo, a spokesman with the Department of Insurance, says that the reason for the crackdown “comes down to consumer protection.”  Unlicensed bondsmen lack the regulatory authority to perform many of the tasks they do, such as apprehending fugitives. Merlin... Read more

NC Woman Pays Bail Agent with Fake Money

A North Carolina woman was arrested on April 2 after attempting to pay a bail agent in counterfeit $100 bills.  Not an April Fool’s Day joke, Karen Lawson Garrett was charged with one count of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of misdemeanor passing an unauthorized substitute for cash. Garrett was arrested after Shell Bonding Company reported the counterfeit bills.  Read More →