GALLATIN, Tenn. (WZTV) — A whistleblower with Leanne Bail Bonds told FOX 17 News a convicted felon was hired to be a bounty hunter under Woodard Bonding, and now, she is sounding the alarm on the need for background checks.
According to court documents, Brent Snarr was arrested earlier this month for conducting business as a bounty hunter in Sumner County, Tennessee and is not eligible to be certified or perform the duties of a bounty hunter because of his prior criminal convictions under state law. (TCA-40-11-318)
Brent Snarr was convicted of theft of property over $10,000 for a 2019 offense. Despite that offense, Woodard Bonding confirms Snarr worked there as independent contractor from November 2023 until February 2024 and did anywhere from 10-12 bounties.
A Woodard Bonding employee told FOX 17 News they did not do a proper background check, just references, but instead took him at this word. Woodard Bonding owner Bryant Woodard said Snarr had a certificate to show he could bounty hunt but did not contact the Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents (TAPBA) to find out if that certificate was legitimate.
He said they were lied to by a criminal who passed himself off as a professional.
Woodard declined an on-camera interview but talked to FOX 17 News on the phone.
"Woodard Bonding has been in business since 1972 and always prided ourselves in professionalism," said Bryant
Woodard said they are going to change their practices such as doing background checks and...
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