Arkansas resident charged in Oklahoma with kidnapping country star's ex-wife

Sunday, April 9th 2006, 11:41 am

By: News On 6

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) _ Bond has been set at $1 million for an Arkansas man who allegedly abducted the ex-wife of country music star Garth Brooks at gunpoint as he was fleeing a bail bondsman.

Rogers County prosecutors filed a felony kidnapping for extortion count against Quintine Cornelius Harper, 28, who is accused of abducting Sandy Brooks from her rural home on Monday.

According to a sheriff's affidavit, bail bondsmen were looking for Harper for failing to appear on a Tulsa County criminal case when they were led to Sandy Brooks' residence.

She told the bondsmen Harper was on her property, but was approached by Harper, who pointed a semi-automatic pistol at her and forced her to drive away, the affidavit stated.

Harper, who lists his address as Fayetteville, Ark., intended to have Sandy Brooks stop at a bank and withdraw about $16,000 to make his bond, Deputy Greg Dooley alleged in the affidavit.

Sandy Brooks, who said Harper told her she'd never see her children again if she didn't cooperate, drove to Oklahoma Highway 20 and traveled about six miles before stopping the vehicle and fleeing into a convenience store, the affidavit said.

Harper ran away on foot with bondsmen in pursuit. The bondsmen alerted police and sheriff's deputies, who helped capture him.

Harper will remain in the Tulsa Jail until his court appearance in the Tulsa case, officials said.

Sandy Brooks and Garth Brooks were married for 15 years and have three children, but none was present at the time of the kidnapping. He has a home nearby.

Garth Brooks married Trisha Yearwood in a private ceremony in December at their Rogers County home.