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HONOLULU - The bounty hunter who captured fugitive cosmetics heir Andrew Luster has returned home to Hawaii, despite a possible bail violation for missing a court appearance in Mexico.
Mexican immigration authorities issued an alert Tuesday when Duane "Dog" Chapman, his brother and his son failed to show up in court there, where they are accused of illegally detaining Luster in late June.
But Chapman dismissed the claims on Friday after arriving at Honolulu International Airport from Los Angeles, saying there was no court date scheduled.
He told reporters that his lawyers are handling the issue and that he, his son Leland and brother Timothy will cooperate with the Mexican courts.
Earlier in the week, Chapman told the Los Angeles Times he had no intention of returning to Mexico for trial, citing mistreatment at the jail in Jalisco. He told the newspaper that guards woke him, his son and brother every two hours, poured soft drinks on the floor of their cell to attract flies and maggots, and taunted them with derogatory names.
The three face charges of conspiracy and deprivation of liberty for seizing Luster, the great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor. Luster had fled California during his trial and was convicted in absentia of drugging and raping three women. He is now serving his sentence in a California prison.
Puerto Vallarta judge Jose de Jesus Pineda granted Chapman release on bail on the condition he show up every Monday to check in with the court. Chapman has said his bail condition required only that his lawyers meet with Mexican immigration officials.
Mexican prosecutors are waiting for the judge to notify them of any violation of bail terms, which would allow them to seek a new arrest warrant against the three.