Nobody wants to stay in jail, but many who find themselves there don’t have the first idea about how to get bailed out, and the eight-page list posted on the jailhouse wall isn’t much help. The list shows more than 300 numbers an inmate can call for bail agents. With no other information, the y might as well close their eyes and see where their finger lands. On April 23, a Navy man was arrested and taken to the Central Jail in downtown San Diego. He wanted to get out but soon found himself in a bizarre situation. According to the bail agent who he hired to post his bond to get out, he became the victim of a predatory bail agent who posted bail without his knowledge. “He’s livid,” said Wendy Zamutt, owner and operator of Bail Bond Woman. Zamutt had been contacted by one of the man’s friends and she had arranged to post his $50,000 bail as soon as he was eligible. She says she had the man’s authorization, his credit card information and all that was needed to bail him out. When she went to the bail clerk she was told the bond had already been posted. He was charged $5,000, but Zamutt told NBC 7 it should have been less because California allows for military discounts. The amount she says she had quoted the man was $4,000. “But they posted the bond and now they’re harassing him, threatening to put him back in jail which is basically predatory extortion,” said Zamutt. It’s a situation she says happens all the time in the competitive, often cut-throat bail bond business. Some agencies find ways to solicit business by contacting arrestees, their families, or anyone who can help them drum up business. Zamutt complained to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office about the irregularity and they opened an investigation which included checking phone records. In a statement provided to NBC 7, the Sheriff’s Office noted that no deputies were accused of solicitation. Their investigation did find the man had a conversation with a bail agent whose number was posted on the wall. “We are aware of the allegation regarding a recent arrestee on 4/23/26 being encouraged to use one bail bondsperson over another. Each Sheriff’s detention facility posts the same list of bail bond agencies for the convenience of those in Sheriff’s custody to contact. It is not uncommon for individuals in custody to contact multiple bail bond agencies in order to secure their release as soon as possible. Sheriff’s investigators spoke with the individual involved in the 4/23/26 incident and confirmed no Sheriff’s staff member encouraged him to use a particular bail bonds agency. Sheriff’s Office policy prohibits employees from endorsing or recommending professional or commercial services, including bail bonds agencies. Our investigation revealed that the individual in custody verbally agreed to the bail bond agency’s terms (who ultimately posted his bond). This was confirmed via recorded jail phone calls.  Our investigation showed no evidence of criminal acts.  We understand how competitive this business is and the vulnerability of people in custody who desire release as quickly as possible.  We encourage anyone who believes they were the victim of criminal activity, coercion, or deceptive practices to come forward and report to the Sheriff’s Office.” Zamutt doesn’t disagree with the findings, because her client admitted he talked to “someone” on the phone, but says he didn’t agree to anything. She said she hopes Assembly Bill 1927, The Bail Consumer Protection Act, becomes California law. It would prohibit a bail agent or impersonator from engaging in unauthorized solicitation of bail. It would allow victims to take them to court if they do. ...read more read less