SHE is a former US beauty queen, has had a stint working for a federal judge and has posed for a racy 2008 calendar while brandishing a weapon.

But Kumari Fulbright is now making news headlines for kidnapping, biting and threatening her ex-boyfriend with a gun.

In the Dec 18 indictment, Fulbright, 25, is accused of holding and torturing her 24-year-old ex-boyfriend earlier that month with the help of three other men, one of whom she had previously dated.

She faces a long prison term if convicted of charges which also include armed robbery, aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault.

The authorities think the dispute began because the victim was believed to have stolen jewellery given to Fulbright by the former beau who allegedly helped her in the attack.

Fulbright, who competed for the Miss Arizona title in 2005 and 2006, invited the man to her apartment, then excused herself to shower, said police spokesman Fabian Pacheco.

Then two men showed up and bound him with plastic ties and duct tape, accused him of taking the jewellery and threatened to shoot him.

Fulbright joined in later and allegedly bit the man on his forearm, right hand and ear, held a butcher knife to his head and told him she was going to kill him.

The authorities said the victim was taken to another home where the assault continued, then brought back to the apartment where Fulbright guarded him with a gun.

The victim finally managed to free a hand and grab the gun, which discharged but hit no one, the authorities said.

As their struggle spilled outside, the victim screamed for help and then ran to a home down the block, while Fulbright returned to her apartment, Sergeant Pacheco said.

'He has some bite marks on him, evident and consistent with his account, and his hands were red and swollen, consistent with someone who had been tied up,' he said.

A police complaint said the suspects stole the victim's wallet, money clip with US$500 (S$750) to US$600 and his cell phone and briefcase.

Neither Fulbright nor her lawyer has commented on the incident.

ASSOCIATED PRESS