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State suspends bail agent's license

Posted at 5:09 PM, Jan 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-04 18:28:12-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- The state has suspended the bail agent license for Kevin Watkins, an Indianapolis bail bondsmen accused of murdering two teens.

PREVIOUS | Bail bondsman accused of Christmas Eve murder of two teens

According to documents obtained by Call 6 Investigates, the Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner signed an emergency order on December 30, effectively suspending Watkins' bail agent license for at least 90 days.

The agency called the allegations against Watkins of a “very serious nature” and said applicants for a bail agent’s license must be “of good moral character.”

Watkins can request a hearing regarding his license, but the order remains effective for 90 days, according to the documents.

Kevin Watkins has been arrested twice, in 2006 and in 2013, but the criminal charges didn’t stick either time.

CALL 6 |Criminal charges didn't stick in previous bail bondsman arrests

Watkins' bail agent license was also suspended in 2002 due to a tax lien.

In 2006, after he cleared up the tax lien, he applied for a new license and another criminal background check was performed before his license was approved, according to Jenifer Groth, spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Insurance.

Bail agents are required to complete 6 hours of Continuing Education and pay a licensing fee of $600 every 2 years.

IDOI does periodic audits of bail agents to ensure compliance with Indiana Bail laws. Watkins was last audited on September 26, 2013.

Records indicate IDOI has completed two investigations on Watkins, one in 2009 and one in 2011, according to Groth.

The 2009 investigation was for failure to timely file a report. The issue was resolved and the complaint closed without action, according to IDOI.

In 2011, a consumer filed a complaint against Watkins alleging he failed to refund a bail bond.

The investigation determined the bail agent was not responsible for refunding the bond. The complaint was closed without action

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