Bounty hunters' use of force leads to license charge

A Sioux Falls bail bondsman has been indicted for allegedly accepting illegal tips and allowing unlicensed bounty hunters to make an arrest.

A grand jury indicted Steven Dean Krier, 54, of Dakota Bail Bonds on Wednesday on charges of aiding and abetting an unlicensed and unqualified person to act as a bail bondsman, a felony, and acceptance of tip as a bail bondsman, a misdemeanor.

The charges stem from two separate incidents.

Authorities interviewed Krier on March 20 about an unrelated assault. During the interview, Krier said he accepted a $350 tip from a man whom he had bailed out of jail and given a ride home to Brandon, according to court records.

Under state law, bail bond agents are not allowed to accept tips for their services.

A month later, a woman claimed to have been assaulted by two women working for Krier's company, according to court documents.

The victim admitted to being bonded through Dakota Bail Bonds. Two women who said they worked for the company approached the victim on April 7 after she failed to meet the requirements of her bond.

The woman told officers she was not resisting arrest but was thrown to the ground anyway and handcuffed. Records show that the victim suffered visible injuries and bruising on her arms following the encounter.

Officers spoke with the women, who admitted to being unlicensed but denied using excessive force while making the arrest, records show.

Krier told officers the women worked for him but that he didn't know they needed to be licensed to make arrests.

Calls to Krier on Friday were not immediately returned.

Other bail bond agents said it is well known in their industry that they are not allowed to accept tips or use unlicensed bounty hunters.

"In this industry, we're not in the business of getting tips," said Jay Mercural, owner A1 Bail Bonds. "We charge a flat rate, and that's it."