Although a Mexican trial judge has dismissed the charges against Duane Chapman aka Dog the Bounty Hunter, a US federal judge has issued an order not to release the bond.

Duane Chapman, who also goes by the name Dog the Bounty Hunter, must have thought his legal troubles were arriving near a much-awaited end this month when a Mexican court dropped its charges against Chapman and his two partners.

The three men had tracked down and captured Max Factor heir Andrew Luster, fugitive rapist, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in 2003. Andrew Luster was eventually convicted for rape, receiving a 124-year sentence.

Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico. Chapman, 54, was charged with “deprivation of liberty.” He was apprehended by US Marshals in September 2006 and subsequently released on a $300,000 bond.

Almost four weeks ago, the charges were dismissed by Mexican judge Jose Alberto Montes, ruling the statute of limitations had expired. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren left the bond in effect last week.

This means that Chapman is allowed to travel but he needs to notify the court whenever he enters and exits a state.

Kurren has set an Oct. 26 hearing to determine whether to keep the order in effect. According to TMZ.com, the judge is going on vacation and will not return before October.

Duane Chapman is currently on a book tour, promoting his new autobiography, “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide,” enjoying great success on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list.

The two other men who faced charges along with Duane, his bounty hunting partners, are his son Leland and Tim Chapman.

The Honolulu, Hawaii-based bounty hunter has his own reality television show, titled “Dog The Bounty Hunter,” on A&E, as of 2004. His wife, Beth Smith Chapman, and two more children, Duane Lee and Lyssa Chapman, are also part of his team.

Upon hearing the bond would not be lifted, Duane and wife Beth told TMZ: “We're devastated. We love this country and are proud to be Americans, so this is absolutely devastating that we can now roam free in Mexico, but not in our own country.”