GVN Interview: Bail Bondsman And Bounty Hunter Frank Frazier For Pluto TV’s ‘Bounty Tank’

Bail bondsman and bounty hunter Frank Frazier had found his true calling. After deciding to pursue a career in law enforcement, Frank utilized his personality and ambition effectively. He not only served the community by bringing lawbreakers to justice but also aimed to help them make better life choices. This slowly evolved into Frank sharing his exploits on social media and eventually, his own show on PlutoTV, Bounty Tank.

However, Frank’s job was never without risks, as he well knew. So, in the fall of 2024, Frank fell victim to an assailant’s bullet as it found its way past his bullet-proof vest. Four months in the hospital and finally Frank is out, on the road to recovery, and feeling blessed for his survival. So, let’s welcome Frank Frazier to GVN Interview.

Lessons from his Mother

GVN: Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with us, Frank. Since this is our first conversation, I would like to start by discussing your beginnings. You grew up in the inner city of Cleveland and, like me, were fortunate to be raised by a strong woman, your mother Sandra. If you had to describe it today, what lessons did you learn from your mother that helped shape you into the man you are?

FRANK: Just one of the lessons I learned is hard work. She worked a lot of hours.
She’s a nurse. So, she worked a lot of hours to put me through school and to make sure I had what I needed. So, that’s one of the things I took from my mom, which is hard work and that kind of transferred to me as an adult.

GVN: I can relate to that as I too gained my work ethic from my mother. That and respect for my elders and for women. Til this day I still call even my sisters or brother Mam or Sir. So, you attended Hampton University to play football and pursue a degree in nursing. Why did you decide to focus on nursing, and how long was it before you decided that your passions didn’t reside there?

From Nursing to Bounty Hunting

FRANK: I got into nursing for multiple reasons. Job security, my mother was a nurse…and women. It was all women in it, and at that age…that’s why I did it. I’m not going to lie (Laughs). So, once I graduated and got my degree, I got a Bachelor of Science in nursing, I did a little work and decided that its wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to clock in. I think the situation that happened where there was a family member that was sick. And I couldn’t take off to go tend to my family member. And that right there made me not want to do the job at all, because I had to clock in. I don’t want someone telling me I can’t go visit a family member that’s sick. That was the turnaround for me as far as working for myself.

The Possibility of U.S. Marshal

GVN: While you were in the process of trying to decide your path, you contemplated working as a U.S. Marshal. What about that profession appealed to you?

FRANK: Well, I always wanted to. One of the things I wanted to do was be a marshal, but there was a hiring freeze at the time (because of Covid). It was a government hiring freeze, and I did more research and stumbled upon bounty hunting. It’s different, but they have a lot of similarities, and I became intrigued in it. I got a license, and God blessed me with finding my niche at an early age. I was just a natural at it.

Learning the Ropes

GVN: So, when it came to Bail Bondsman and Bounty Hunting. who directed you in that path, and did you have a mentor who taught you the ropes and the risks inherent in that?

FRANK: I took a bounty hunting class in Virginia. At the time, they’re not open anymore, but it was a company called Matt Finders, and they specialized in hunting and private investigation. That’s where I learned my basics as far as tracking people down, how to track them down, and the various tactics to find people. So, his name was Matt Finders. I don’t know where he is nowadays, but that’s where I learned the basics of what I do.

Why Bail Bondsman AND Bounty Hunter

GVN: You are both the Bail Bondsman AND the Bounty Hunter. Usually those are two specific functions. The Bail Bondsman helps defendants to get out of jail by paying their bail, with the understanding that they HAVE to appear in court. If not, it’s the Bail Bondsman who loses money and then they bring in the Bounty Hunter to recover the defendant. Why did you decide to cut out the middleman and do both?

FRANK: I enjoy it. It wasn’t like I was in a position where I was scared, or I didn’t want to go find the people. I loaned these people money, so I felt like I was obligated to go find them, since they messed around with the money. Plus, I get a chance to touch people, help them change their life around if they need help. I just like the overall interaction and it’s an adrenaline rush. So, yeah, I couldn’t hire no one else.

Becoming a Reality Star

GVN: At what point did your work lead you to social media and eventually to reality TV stardom, and who approached you with that opportunity?

FRANK: No one approached me. At the time, Dog (Dog: Bounty Hunter) was hot on TV. Everyone knows dog, and he had a TV show. So, I just wanted to show the world that there was a different way to approach this field. You don’t have to wear all the tactical gear. I would dress nice when I hunt. I just did things completely different from them. Wanting to show the world that there’s more than one way to skin a cat. I was never approached. I had a plan from jump, what I wanted to do, and I executed it.

The Reality of Bounty Hunting

GVN: Speaking of Dog, you have reminded people on your show that what you do is very different than what they might have seen on other shows about the Bounty Hunter profession. Why is it important to you that they know the difference between what you do and their previous preconceptions about Bounty Hunters?

Frank: Well, because it paints a picture for anybody in this industry, and if all they’re watching is fake reenacted skits, they think this is the business. So, when you come watch mine. I would have episodes where I didn’t catch people. Because in reality, you don’t catch people right away. It might take a couple of episodes. So, people got used to seeing the fake stuff and the crazy action every, every episode. Then they will come to mine, and it might seem like it’s dragging.

It kind of made it harder for my content to be where it needs to be because people are used to seeing this fake reenacting of hunts. On top of that, my job is dangerous, obviously I was injured. When all you see is this comical, unrealistic hunting, it makes people in the neighborhood in the urban areas, look at you as a joke. So, I want everyone to take me seriously. So, everything with me is real.

Mixing Music with Bounty Hunting

GVN: As you developed your brand, establishing your website, and your merchandising branch “KickDoor University,” you also worked on your other love, music. Was music a constant in your life, or did you find that it was a way to cope with the stress and risks that came with your profession?

FRANK: I always loved music. I was just scared to get in the industry because of what I do, and I knew I wouldn’t be accepted. Because people look at me as the police and, you know, a lot of rappers, they’re in the streets. So, I knew it would be a hard transition. But it got to the point where I was just like, I don’t care. I don’t care what no one thinks. I love music and I want to do what I want to do. You only live once, so once I made that decision, I just been straight ahead.

The Incident

GVN: You mentioned your injury, so let’s get into it. 8:15 p.m. October 10, 2024. In the 1100 block of 7th Avenue, you are at a residence along with other bail bondsmen to apprehend a suspect on an outstanding warrant. This was being filmed for your TV Show. Did you go in that night expecting trouble, or is it part of your line of work to always expect things might go south?

FRANK: It’s always open. You just never know what’s going to happen. So, I wasn’t expecting anything, and I was. You never know what you’re going to get. So, when I go into these situations, I’m just there…. just observing and trying to be as careful as possible. But you never know, so I never go in a situation expecting craziness or not expecting craziness. You just don’t know what’s gonna happen.

GVN: There is TMZ footage (below) of what transpired but if you don’t mind, tell our listeners what happened next.

FRANK: Not to go into too in depth but I feel like it might have been a setup. I’m going to leave it at that until later on. At that time, I’m going to reopen this case and we’re going to go back after this kid. But (on that night) once I realized he was back there; we took off on foot to catch him in the back of the house. Because of where he was positioned, he was on the deck, he shot down, which that’s why it didn’t hit my vest. He shot down and it went into my chest, 2 centimeters from my heart. So, because of where he was at and the way he shot down, it missed the vest. If he would have been, level with me, it would have hit my vest, and I would have been OK.

The Road to Recovery

GVN: You spent over 4 months in the hospital with multiple surgeries. However, you are on your way to recovery. It would be easy for you to be bitter, but from the interviews I have seen, you have maintained your positive attitude and expressed gratitude for having survived. What is it that powers you through, especially when just an inch here or there could have brought different circumstances?

FRANK: God!  I know I’ve got a purpose and to sit around and be bitter about something that I can’t change is a waste of time and energy. So, I just try to stay positive and fill myself up with positive energy and just constantly being around positive people. Being bitter is not going to solve anything. It’s just going to drain me and make me depressed. I hope the young man can change his life around and have a successful life. I don’t wish no harm against nobody. I’m not bitter.

I’m not out here trying to get revenge. I’m going to get justice, but I’m not going to get revenge. So, I don’t hold any type of bitterness in my heart whatsoever. I’m just, I’m just glad to be here because I saw death. And it gives you appreciation for life. Just being to talk on the phone with you, I appreciate.

So, I have no type of anger. I do get frustrated because of my physical performance, because I can’t perform like I want to. I’m not healthy like I want to, but I will be. With time, I’ll be back. So, no anger, no bitterness. Just thankfulness.

Decisions

GVN: As you recover, have you considered choosing a different career path or do you want to return to Bounty Hunting eventually?

FRANK: I’m going to say this. It’s easy for me to say no right now, because I can’t do it right now. But once I’m back in physical top shape, I’m sure I’m going to have the urge and the itch to get back into it. It’s something I enjoy doing, I love doing. I love helping people, so I’m not going to say yes, I’m not going to say no.

GVN: Is there a possibility that you might focus a little more on your music in the meantime?

FRANK: In the mean, yeah, during my rehab time, I am. I’m going to dial down and go 10 toes down with my music until, I get back healthy.

Advice to Young People

GVN: After your ordeal and the support, you have received from your fans, if you were invited to talk to a group of young people about your experiences, what advice would you share with them?

FRANK: I hate to sound real cliche, but just to live your life to the fullest. I’ve always been one to kind of live life to the fullest and not worry about what people say or think. But now it’s to a whole another level. In life, one thing everyone’s going to experience, and that’s death.

You can’t cheat it and at some point, they’re going to leave this earth. So, while you’re here, live it up to your best ability. Try to do everything that you, that you always wanted to do. Pursue your dreams. Pursue your goals and don’t stop because you don’t know when it’s your last breath.

You don’t know when something could happen tragic and you’re lying in the hospital bed, and you can’t do anything that you wish you would have done. One of the worst things to live with is regret and I don’t want to live with regret.  So, I would tell these young folks… whatever it is you want to do with your life, put 110% in it. Don’t worry about what no one says. Life is not guaranteed. While you’re here, live it up.

GVN: Good advice. I want to thank you, Frank, for visiting us. Before we go, please let our followers know where they can watch your show and follow you on social media and the web.

FRANK: OK, that’s simple. On Roku, “Bounty Tank Show.” Or you can watch me on Pluto TV, “Bounty Tank show,” Tubi TV,  “Bounty Tank show,” and YouTube, “Bounty Tank show.” As far as social media, everything’s Bounty Tank, Instagram, Facebook, @Bounty Tank, so it’s pretty simple.

If you want to find me, just type in “Bounty Tank,” on Google, everything is going to pop up.

This was a slightly edited version of our chat. You can find the full version here or where great Podcasts are listened to.