What A Federal Kidnapping Case Means For Recovery Agents by Ken W. Good (This article originally appeared in Law 360) was published on March 7, 2025) Stephanie Plum, the fictional bounty hunter in Janet Evanovich's popular book series, often turns her misadventures into comedy. But in real life, the business of tracking down fugitives is no laughing matter. Wayne Lozier, a licensed recovery agent — colloquially referred to as a "bounty hunter" — from Louisiana, found himself facing federal kidnapping charges after apprehending a defendant who had skipped court. Despite working under a lawful contract with a bail bondsman and with a valid warrant, Lozier's actions led to a 10-year prison sentence, until a December decision in U.S. v. Lozier in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the ruling and ordered a new trial. This case raises pressing questions for attorneys giving advice about the risks surrounding fugitive recovery and the balance betwee...
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