Bail Bonds Beat Down

Being a bail bonds agent provides individuals with a great degree of opportunity and privilege. Not only can they can earn a substantial living, but they have a tremendous amount of legal authority that has been bestowed upon them.  They are private individuals that have the ability to have people released into their custody from jail and in essence act as de facto jailers for the courts. With this privilege comes great responsibility. Sometimes the authority granted to those in the bail bonds industry is abused and unfortunately that reflects badly on everyone.

Now a pair of men associated with a bail bonds business in Minneapolis, MN have been arrested for crimes committed under the guise of bail bond agents. The two men have been accused of drug, gun trafficking and loan fraud. Police said the duo went by the name, "Beat Down Posse,” lead by Joseph Duane Gustafson Jr. and Troy Michael Neuberger. Police say they committed a series of violent crimes between 2005 and 2009 using the authority of bail bondsmen working for Gustafson’s Bail Bonds, Inc.

They allegedly went to known drug dealer residences and acted as if they were performing a fugitive apprehension. Once they gained entry inside they would allegedly rob and assault those present for their own personal gain. The criminal complaints accuse the group of stealing drugs from the victims and then trafficking firearms and illegal drugs for their own profit.