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Sheriff’s Office: Bail Bondsman Shoots Suspect In Whitsett
WFMY News 2 gets answers about what bail bondsmen are able to do by law.Guilford County, NC– A bondsman allegedly shot a suspect he was trying to arrest early Tuesday morning on Rockcliffe drive in Whitsett.Sonny Ray Cranford was charged with statutory rape and sex offense in May 2008, according to information provided by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.His $100,000 bail was obtained through the bondsmen at the time.In July 2009, Cranford failed to appear in court on the charges.So, the bondsmen went to find him, according to Cpt. Tony Caliendo with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.Deputies arrived quickly to Sonny Cranford’s home shortly after 1:30 Tuesday morning.
“All these sheriff’s cars and the squad was all up and down the road, both sides lined and guns,” said Bill Hudson, a neighbor.
They were on standby in the area as five people from the Greg Holeman Bail Bonds Company attempted to arrest Cranford.
“A lot of times we’ll have officers in the area because if someone does escape, we have of course have a duty to our citizens,” Caliendo said.
He said the bail bonds company got involved with Cranford’s bond last year.
“They’re trying to make good on their investment on it, so that they don’t have to pay the $100,000,” he said.
“I was really surprised because I didn’t know they had that authority,” Hudson said.
“Whenever they choose so, they may seize them and deliver them up. And, it even goes so far that they may, in a supreme court decision, that they may break and enter into the person’s residence to do so,” Caliendo said.
He declined to elaborate about the confrontation between Cranford and the people from the bail bonds company.
One of the people from the bail bonds company allegedly shot Cranford in the lower right leg.
“Just like anyone, they have the right to protect themselves,” Caliendo said.
The investigation into what happened is still ongoing. So, it’s not been determined if the bondsman who allegedly shot Cranford will face any charges. That will be up to the district attorney, Caliendo said.
WFMY News 2 contacted the Greg Holeman Bail Bonds Company for comment, but the calls were not returned.
Deputies said Cranford is in stable condition at Moses Cone Hospital.
WFMY News 2 counted 19 different charges which led to convictions on Cranford’s record. Some charges date back to 1992 and include habitual misdemeanor assault, possession of a firearm by a felon, and second-degree kidnapping.