http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/tol ... deman.html
Woman complains about bounty hunter
Comments 2| Recommend 0
By Rob Young/Appeal-Democrat
February 15, 2008 - 12:42 AM
An Olivehurst woman's claim that a bounty hunter pointed his shotgun at her while apprehending her husband has been forwarded to the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, a Sheriff's Department spokeswoman said Thursday.
Victoria Wideman, of the 4500 block of Ardmore Avenue, called the department at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday and reported that Joel Thomas Toler, a licensed bail bond agent from Fairfield, pointed the gun at her while trying to take her husband, Don Wideman, into custody, said sheriff's spokeswoman Melanie Oakes.
Don Wideman, 43, is facing Butte County misdemeanor charges, including failure to appear in court, according to Butte County Superior Court records.
Toler, 49, was not arrested, but a report was sent to the District Attorney's Office for possible prosecution on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, said Oakes.
A partner of Toler's, who was not named, told deputies that Toler's gun was in the "low ready" position — pointed at the floor or ground in front of Victoria Wideman instead of at her. A report on the incident was not clear on whether Toler and Victoria Wideman were inside or outside the couple's house, said Oakes.
Toler said — and deputies confirmed — that the shotgun contained "less lethal beanbag" rounds instead of regular shells, said Oakes.
Don Wideman agreed to surrender to Toler and his partner, she said.
Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at
ryoung@appealdemocrat.com
