http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6337063
Mark Sayre, Investigative Reporter
I-Team: Bounty Hunter Raid Nearly Turns Deadly
April 6, 2007 06:54 PM EDT
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I-Team: Bounty Hunter Raid Nearly Turns Deadly
Over the past several months the I-Team has been uncovering problems with local bounty hunters. Their official title is "bail enforcement agents." Nevada law gives them wide latitude to enter private property in search of those who have skipped bail.
In this latest case the situation could have turned tragic as the family inside the home was armed and the homeowner is retired member of the sheriff's detention center staff.
Frank Smyth opens up his safe and pulls out his guns. With 29 years of law enforcement experience he knows how to use them. "These are two 357's. One is a Smith and Wesson and one is a Colt python, and they are magnums, and these are the weapons that I keep here for protection," Smyth said. When at least four bounty hunters came to his home in January, Smyth says he was ready to shoot. Frank Smyth said, "It is not so much fear for myself as for the family, and all you are thinking of is protecting the family."
The bounty hunters were searching for Smyth's son, Nicholas, who had missed a court date. The situation was later resolved, and Smyth asked we not use the name of the company because his son is still under a bail contract.
Smyth says it all happened very fast. "The security lights came on all the dogs started barking. I look up and I see two heads going by the window," Smyth said. Smyth then looked out the back door. "I see one person -- a young guy -- dressed in all dark clothes standing there with a shotgun. And all I can hear with the dogs barking is 'open the door or I am going to beat the door in,' " Smyth said.
Nancy Smyth was also home at the time. "I'm thinking people are going to come in and murder us. You know you hear stories of people coming in and tying up people and shooting them just to steal or rape or both. You know it is frightening, extremely frightening," she said.
The couple then called 911. Frank Smyth says he told the operator, "Get a black and white here. I told her I got a weapon if they do beat the door in -- and I am still thinking home invasion, robbery, whatever -- I am going to pull the trigger, end of story," Smyth said.
Frank Smyth says there's only one reason someone was not killed. "And I am kind of glad Metro (police) did show up when they did because another minute or so -- I would have had my weapon out," Smyth said.
The case of the Smyth's is just one of many called to the attention of the I-Team after our original series of reports in February. At that time the I-Team introduced you to a local family who was maced inside their own home by a team of bounty hunters. We also showed you a maintenance man at a local club who was shot with a bean bag shotgun during a bounty-hunting raid. Bail agent Rob Suckoll was arrested and charged in the shooting incident. He is currently awaiting arraignment in Las Vegas Justice Court on those charges.
As for Smyth he says something needs to be done. "We need to re-write the law and rewrite it so it doesn't have to come to this. This is just... I want to use the word... stupid," Smyth said.
Nevada law on bounty hunters was last updated during the 1999 legislative session. That is when a provision was added requiring bounty hunters to notify police before making forcible entry into any private property. Even though the legislative session is underway right now there are currently no bills under consideration dealing with bounty hunters.
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