In a surprising turn of events, Joshua “Bam Bam” Brown, a prominent member of the Brown family from the hit Discovery Channel show “Alaskan Bush People,” found himself behind bars alongside his father, Billy Brown. The popular reality TV show, now in its 15th season, documents the Brown family’s off-the-grid lifestyle, highlighting their struggles and triumphs. However, the family faced significant legal trouble stemming from fraudulent claims for Alaska oil revenue checks.
In October 2023, it came to light that Billy and Bam Bam Brown, along with other family members, had been charged with multiple counts of unsworn falsification and theft. According to reports from Distractify, the family allegedly falsified documents between 2011 and 2013 to receive the annual oil revenue checks designated for Alaska residents, despite not being eligible.
The legal drama culminated in 2016 when both Billy and Bam Bam were sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to complete 40 hours of community service. Their guilty pleas led to the withdrawal of charges against other family members, effectively concentrating the legal repercussions on the father-son duo.
In addition to the jail time, financial penalties were imposed. Billy Brown was ordered to repay $7,956 in improperly obtained funds and to pay a $10,000 fine within 90 days of his release. Bam Bam faced a $5,000 fine, with $3,000 of it suspended. The family, residing in Seattle, Washington, at the time, expressed their unintentional wrongdoing. Billy admitted to not keeping accurate records of their movements due to their unconventional lifestyle, which led to the fraudulent filings.
Judge Philip Pallenberg of the Juneau Superior Court, overseeing the case, believed that jail time was a necessary part of the punishment, asserting that any individual committing a similar theft would face similar consequences regardless of their television fame. The judge emphasized that the law applies equally to all, drawing comparisons to typical theft cases involving lesser amounts.
Reflecting on the experience, Bam Bam expressed regret and noted that he had learned valuable lessons from the ordeal. In his statement to the judge, he acknowledged the mistake and thanked the court for its leniency.
As the Brown family continues their journey on “Alaskan Bush People,” this legal chapter serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to legal standards, even while living an unconventional lifestyle.
