News: 2010 Press Release

Commissioner Poizner today announced the arrest of a Riverside man for alleged kidnap for ransom and assault with a deadly weapon. Damion Paul Perkins, 36, was arrested on October 20. He was booked at the Riverside County Robert Presley Detention Center. Bail was set at $1,000,000. If convicted, Perkins faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

"Bail bonds agents must abide by the law when they collect payments from customers - and they definitely may not kidnap their clients at gunpoint, or else they will wind up behind bars, requiring the services of their own bail bond agent," said Commissioner Poizner. "If you break the law, you will face the consequences."

In July 2010, Bail Bonds United posted a bail bond for a customer. After being released from jail, this customer was unable to provide the amount of premium Perkins, co-owner of Bail Bonds United, required up front. Perkins and Bail Bonds United became dissatisfied with the bail transaction.

In August 2010, Perkins and another male accomplice went to the customer's residence, and ordered the customer out of his home at gunpoint, in the presence of the victim's children. The victim was allegedly handcuffed, placed in the back of a car, and taken to various locations while Perkins and the other accomplice allegedly negotiated payment for the victim's release. After Perkins and the other unidentified accomplice received additional money and illegal drugs from the victim's family, the victim returned home and was released.

The Department of Insurance licenses Bail Agents to transact bail within the State of California. As part of pre-licensing and continuing education, Bail Agents are educated on the various aspects of bail laws, including ethics and the proper collection of debts owed. http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-consumers/0060-information-guides/0060-other-topics/surety-and-bail-bonds.cfm#bail.

This case is being prosecuted by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.