A bounty hunter that has eluded police since 2006 is now behind bars.

Michael Hartley Simmons, 24, of West Columbia, has been arrested and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and kidnapping by Newberry Police. He turned himself in on Thursday after being on the run since 2006.

Michael Simmons, along with Johnny Morris Simmons Jr., 43, of Columbia, co-owners of Simdawg Bonding, are accused in the case.

Newberry resident Louis Escalante, of 1612 Indian Land, had been arrested by county deputies on a burglary charge in May 2006, said Newberry Police Captain Chuck Counts as he laid out the background in the case.

Johnny Simmons bonded Escalante out of jail, but had not received any bond-related payments and said Escalantechanged his address without letting him know, violations of their bond agreement.

In September 2006, the Simmons went bounty hunting for Escalante and visited his home.

Police report that when Escalante opened his door, he was holding his 14-month-old child and the men began to hit him. During the assault, the child was also hit and the men reportedly bloodied the toddler's lip.

The men reportedly began to fight, escalating to the bounty hunters spraying Escalante with pepper spray before putting handcuffs on him.

The Simmons left the child in the care of a neighbor, put Escalante into their car and drove to Columbia. On the way to Columbia, Escalante claims the men shocked him with a Taser device.

The men took Escalante to the Simdawg office, had him sign paperwork, gave him a shirt and shoes to wear, took him to a McDonald's and let him go, according to Counts.

Escalante then began to walk back to Newberry and was picked up by Columbia police. The officers, noting Escalante's injuries, took him to Palmetto Richland Hospital for treatment.

In the meantime, Escalante's girlfriend had come home, learned what happened and called local police. She also took the child to Newberry County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Newberry police questioned Escalante after he was released from the hospital.

Johnny Simmons was charged with two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and with kidnapping.

Police had been looking for Michael Simmons since September 2006 until he stopped running and turned himself in late last week. Johnny Simmons was cuffed in the crimes in September 2006.