Bail Bondsman In Hot Water After Shooting

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)- A bail bondsman and the suspect he was trying to take into custody are both facing charges this morning-- after a violent scene in the parking lot of Clinton Plaza.

A KPD officer responded to a shots fired called at the North Knoxville shopping center-- when he came across the bondsman-- Darrin Charette-- holding James Branam at gun-point.

Charette, who works for "Donna's Bail Bonds" out of Jefferson County, claims he was trying to detain Banam on a warrant out of that county.

Police believe that Charette fired several shots in the suspect's direction, when he tried to make a run for it.

The scene unfolded near an open day care and a number of other businesses.

Both the bondsman and his intended catch are facing a number charges, while Branam was returned to Jefferson County to face the prior charges.

Judge Loses Bench Over Bail Bonds Gifts

Seems like recently we've seen quite a few bondsmen arrested for illegal business practices or issues relating to their bonding agencies. However, someone from the other side of the fence has been identified in a bail bonds scandal. Thomas Porteous, a well known federal judge in Louisiana, has been removed from the bench after a US Senate hearing. At issue, was his acceptance of gifts from bail bondsmen. Gifts included trips, meals and other items of value. The problem is that these gifts may have affected the judge's consideration of bail bonds and treatment of the bondsmen on the cases.

Testifying against Porteous was a a New Orleans bail bondsman, would said that he took the judge on expensive trips, provided lavish meals at expensive restaurants, and had his cars filled with gas and washed. In exchange, the judge would set bail for defendants at the highest amount possible. Therefore the bail bondsman would earn higher bail bonds fees.

While the Senate convicted him 69-27, the charges actually pertain to his time as a state judge. This is unusual to say the least, that a federal judge was removed for actions stemming for time prior to the federal judgeship. Although, this was far from Porteous' only knock. Other allegations relate to unrelated cases where he improper contact with attorneys or false statements during his own bankruptcy proceedings.

Even though Congress found Porteous guilty, he was not charged with any criminal offenses. After an exensive 8 year investigation by the the Justice Department and FBI, no indictments were handed down. The judge blamed gambling and alcohol as reasons for his actions.

Bail Bond Agency To Forfeit $100,000 Bond

A federal judge has ordered a bail bond company to forfeit the $100,000 it promised to guarantee court appearances by an Ohio woman who later fled the country following her corporate fraud conviction.

Garcia Bail Bonds of Phoenix had asked the judge to reconsider after fugitive Rebecca Parrett was found and arrested in Mexico in October.

U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley ruled Wednesday that the bond company had done nothing to locate Parrett after she fled and that the government had expended considerable resources tracking her.

An attorney for the bond company says he has not yet seen the ruling.

Parrett was convicted in 2008 in the $1.9 billion fraud case. She is being held in the Franklin County Jail in Columbus following her return to Ohio about a week ago.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio fugitive convicted in a $1.9 billion corporate fraud case has returned to Ohio after her arrest in Mexico in October.

Rebecca Parrett was being held in the Franklin County Jail in Columbus on Wednesday following her return to the state about a week ago.

Drew Shadwick of the U.S. Marshal's Service says a court date has not yet been set for Parrett.

She disappeared in March 2008 after she was convicted of securities fraud, wire fraud and other charges in a scheme at health care financing company National Century Financial Enterprises.

A judge sentenced her in absentia to 25 years in prison.

A message was left Wednesday with attorney Gregory Peterson, who has previously represented Parrett.

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