Story Created:
Jun 9, 2009 at 3:26 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jun 10, 2009 at 4:13 PM EDT
On 05/08/09 Sgt Jennifer North was contacted by a member of the Cumberland Police Department regarding an arrest. It was alleged at around 6:00pm on 05/07/09 a group of men (5) came into to the Cumberland Police Station with a handcuffed woman. The group identified themselves as "New England Bounty Hunters" and explained they picked up this person on an active arrest warrant at 90 Blackstone Street in the City of Woonsocket. The female was taken in custody on an active District Court Warrant for Failure to Appear on Simple Assault charge.
Once this person was placed in custody Cumberland Police notified our department of the incident and told the victim, after release, to respond to our station to file a complaint. The victim, 18 year old Rebecca Ball, came to the station and filed a complaint with the Woonsocket Police on 05/08/09.
Ronald Cervantes Brandon Johnson
Detective Thomas Calouro of the Woonsocket Police Department began an investigation into the incident and learned that 36 year old Brandon Johnson and 39 year old Ronald Cervantes started a company to apprehend fugitives. They called the company New England Bounty Hunters. They began the company through an online source called beabountyhunter.com. After a $235.00 initiation fee they received bounty hunter badges and identifications.
To establish their business they reached out to an acquaintance and learned the victim was wanted on an outstanding warrant. They went to her home and forced their way into the apartment. Cervantes and Johnson encountered the victim placed her in cuffs and brought her to the Cumberland Police Department in their personal vehicle.
Once the investigation was concluded and with assistance from members of the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office, Detective Thomas Calouro was able to obtain arrests warrant for Brandon Johnson and Ronald Cervantes. They turned themselves in on June 9th, 2009 and they were each charged with Simple Assault and Battery and Breaking into a dwelling house without consent.
Both subjects were brought to District Court. Johnson was released on surety bail and Cervantes was held as a superior court violator.
-From the Woonsocket Police Department
Friday, Jun 12 at 7:46 PM David Martz, Fort Wayne, IN wrote ...
I have known Scott Harrell and his business for many years. I have been in business since 1975. I would personally vouch for him and his business. Scott is a very knowledgeable and always a professional person. There have been no badges from his on line courses, or his in person seminars. The Rose Investigations LLC David Martz Fort Wayne , IN
23689347Friday, Jun 12 at 1:04 PM Scott Harrell wrote ...
I own and run BeABountyHunter.com. I have NEVER sold badges or identification cards on my website. Additionally, I have never heard of these two defendants; they are not training clients of ours and I have not had any contact with either Cervantes or Johnson. Their claims that I provided them with ID Cards and/or badges are patently false. Scott Harrell, Gulf Breeze, FL.
23665167Friday, Jun 12 at 12:46 PM Bail Enforcement Agent wrote ...
BeABountyHunter.com does not, and never has, sold identification cards or badges- I know the guy who runs that site and he has always been above board with his business. These idiots are obviously lying. Jerry McClendon Austin, TX
23663829Wednesday, Jun 10 at 11:37 PM angel wrote ...
stupidity on the website for allowing them to do this and one is a sex offender no criminal check was done the website owner should be sued
23561809Wednesday, Jun 10 at 9:29 PM greg wrote ...
the fact is this women was a wanted criminal as well i could have made a citizen arrest and collected the reward from the bounty, mmmmmmmmm
23556429Wednesday, Jun 10 at 9:28 PM greg wrote ...
you are talking about dog the bounty hunter on a and e. they are licences and trained he has been doing it for a long time way before the show.
23556394Wednesday, Jun 10 at 7:53 PM Flyer 02895 wrote ...
Well this story is def. getting switched up alot.. Obviously these two men thought what they were doing was ligit. Just like any other people who go online starting and getting information about their own buisnesses. By trying to do the right thing finding criminals and turning them in, in the end got them screwed and misunderstood. The news channels are not always 100% accurate on their stories, not because they purposely do it, but their informers are not always telling the 100% truth.
23552762Wednesday, Jun 10 at 5:58 PM starfleetmarine wrote ...
all this show is just how stupid most rhode islanders really are1 and i 'am a native rhode islander! I lived on the weat coast and ever since returning in 1997 I have noticed that I.Q. ' s have dropperd sharply! imagine, going and paying $200.00 plus to become a Bounty hunter on line! Only In Rhode island! the stae borders should have signs saying welcome to R.I. check your brain at the door!
23547659Wednesday, Jun 10 at 4:24 PM mariah (vg) woonsocket wrote ...
i am the victims girlfriend nd i myself am 17 years old this was a scary situation and more should be done because there were two babies in the house who couldve been hurt
23541749Wednesday, Jun 10 at 12:25 PM Funny wrote ...
Who would be dumb enough to think a place called beabountyhunter.com would be a good career move??? Ha, ha that was of course rhetorical!!
23523592Tuesday, Jun 9 at 11:05 PM Sabelle wrote ...
to CJC: how odd...that's exactly how I feel when I go through Conventry...hmmm...?
23494989Tuesday, Jun 9 at 8:53 PM A Real Bail Enforcer wrote ...
I have been a Bail Enforcement Agent in this state for 18 years and stuff like this gets under my skin. Its thanks to a certian tv show on A&E our industry has gotten flooded with people like these guys. They go online and buy a certificate to become self made bounty hunters and go out with out training or common sense and screw up. To take a defendant into custody you need authorization from the bondsman that posted the bond. You cant just go around grabbing people up off the streets
23488764Tuesday, Jun 9 at 6:55 PM CJC wrote ...
Key word "originally"....They know where they belong, hanging out on the streets of "arctic" doing nothing searching for their next fix..Each time I drive through, or by West Warwick I feel the sudden need to shower.
23483287Tuesday, Jun 9 at 6:50 PM The Largest Pot Bust from the Pot Growing family in COV. wrote ...
You know what is funny? Many of the people that have been arrested in West Warwick originally cam from Coventry!! Remember one of the largest pot growing busts came from Coventry, and it was one of the most influential families in the town, so keep being ignorant, and making stupid statements.
23483034Tuesday, Jun 9 at 6:44 PM jarck wrote ...
I like how they started with an 18 year old female in the country. Cowards,hope they throw the book at them.
23482714Tuesday, Jun 9 at 6:19 PM CJC Coventry wrote ...
HAHAHA..Woonsocket, Providence, West Warwick, Pawtucket, and Central Falls, they continue to churn out some of the finest society has to offer..HAHAHA
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