The Alaskan Bush Family: Lawbreakers Or Misunderstood?

The Brown family, stars of the Discovery Channel's reality TV show 'Alaskan Bush People', have had several brushes with the law, with multiple family members running into trouble with law enforcement. The show, which chronicles the family's off-grid lifestyle in Alaska, has been a success, but it has also been mired in controversy and accusations of scripting and staging. However, the family's legal troubles are perhaps the most notable aspect of their story.

Billy Brown's history of theft

Billy Brown, the patriarch of the Brown family, has had a history of theft and legal issues. In 1980, a year after he married his wife Ami, Billy was charged with horse theft in Texas. According to a student travelling with them, the plan was to steal horses to cross the Mexican border. Billy pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Over three decades later, in 2014, Billy faced legal issues again, this time involving most of his family. Billy, Ami, and four of their seven children were charged with 60 counts of first-degree unsworn falsification and first and second-degree theft. The family had falsified records, claiming they resided in Alaska from 2011 to 2013 when they actually did not. The fraud was committed to continue receiving Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend, an annual oil revenue check for Alaskan residents.

Billy and his son, Joshua "Bam Bam" Brown, pleaded guilty to the charges and, in 2016, were sentenced to 30 days in prison and 40 hours of community service. The charges against the other family members were dropped as a result of the plea deal. Billy apologised and accepted full responsibility for the fraud, attributing it to their unconventional lifestyle and travel habits.

Ami Brown's welfare fraud

Ami Brown, the matriarch of the Brown family, was charged with welfare fraud in the 1990s, before she became a reality TV star. Ami, her husband Billy, and four of their seven children were also charged with 60 counts of first-degree unsworn falsification and first and second-degree theft in 2015. The charges related to falsifying records of residency in Alaska from 2011 to 2013, allowing them to continue receiving Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend, which provides oil revenue checks to Alaskan residents. The fraud amounted to nearly $21,000.

Billy and his son Joshua ("Bam Bam") pled guilty to the charges and were sentenced to 30 days in jail and 40 hours of community service in 2016. The charges against the other family members were dropped as part of the plea deal. Billy later explained the fraud by saying that his unconventional lifestyle and travel made it difficult to keep track of their movements. He accepted full responsibility for filing for benefits without confirming their eligibility.

The Brown family's complicated legal history, including instances of welfare fraud, has been a source of controversy for the popular reality TV show "Alaskan Bush People." The show follows the Brown family's unique way of life in the Alaskan wilderness, but it has been accused of being scripted and staged. The family's move to Washington state and their residence in a multimillion-dollar mansion have also deviated from the show's original concept and drawn criticism from fans.

Billy and Joshua Brown's jail time

Billy Brown and his son Joshua "Bam Bam" Brown were sentenced to jail for their involvement in a fraud case. In 2015, Billy, his wife Ami, and four of their seven children were charged with 60 counts of first-degree unsworn falsification and first and second-degree theft. The family had falsified records, claiming they resided in Alaska from 2011 to 2013 when they did not. This allowed them to receive Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend, an annual oil revenue check for Alaskan residents.

In 2016, Billy and Joshua pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree unsworn falsification, a misdemeanour. They were sentenced to 30 days in jail, 40 hours of community service, and fines. They also had to pay back the dividends they received and give up their rights to future dividends. As a result of their guilty pleas, the charges against the rest of the family were dropped.

Billy's attorney, James McGowan, argued against jail time for his client, citing Billy's medical conditions, including seizures and kidney problems. However, the judge, Philip Pallenberg, stated that jail time is generally necessary for deterrence in dividend fraud cases. Billy and Joshua apologised for their actions during the sentencing hearing.

Billy Brown, the patriarch of the Brown family, had a prior conviction for horse theft in 1980. He pleaded guilty to that charge and was sentenced to a year of probation.

Matt Brown's troubled history

Matt Brown, the oldest son of Billy and Ami Brown, has had a troubled history with substance abuse and allegations of sexual assault.

Matt has struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse for many years. He first sought treatment in 2016 after being arrested for driving under the influence. However, this treatment was unsuccessful, and he entered rehab again in 2018. He has been open about his struggles, sharing details about his life and experiences on Instagram and YouTube.

In 2020, two women, Jessica Jurges and Shelley Dawn Early, came forward with allegations that Matt had sexually assaulted them in 2018. Both women had connections to the family. Jessica was a personal assistant to the Browns, and Shelley was Matt's manager. The alleged assaults took place just days apart at a swimming pool in Canoga Park, Los Angeles. Both women reported the assaults to the police, but the Los Angeles County District Attorney chose not to prosecute.

Matt has since left the show "Alaskan Bush People" under mysterious circumstances, with some sources claiming he was fired due to the allegations, and others saying he left to focus on his recovery. He now shares his life off-grid via YouTube and Instagram, focusing on hope and recovery away from family drama. He has not returned to reality television and seems to be doing well in his recovery.

Bear Brown's relationship with Raiven Adams

Raiven Adams and Bear Brown of the Alaskan Bush People have had a tumultuous relationship. The couple first met at Noah Brown's mountain-top wedding in August 2018. They went public in July 2019, and by August, they were engaged. However, their relationship was short-lived as they called off the engagement a month later. Raiven, a Colorado native, announced that she was pregnant with Bear's child just two days after their split.

In March 2020, Raiven gave birth to their son, River, but Bear was not present at the birth as the couple was not on speaking terms. They attempted to reconcile several times, even announcing that they were giving their relationship another chance in September 2020, but they ultimately broke up.

Raiven has been vocal about the issues in their relationship, accusing Bear of erratic behaviour and cocaine use. She also claimed that the show was fake and that half of the Brown family no longer lived on the mountain. Despite their break-up, the couple has two children together and have reconciled and broken up multiple times. They welcomed their second child in January 2023.

In December 2022, Raiven announced on Instagram that she and Bear had separated, stating that she was putting her health and children first. However, by January 2023, they appeared to be back together as they celebrated their anniversary with a movie date night. Raiven indicated that they were working through their issues and taking a break to reduce stress during her pregnancy.

Bear Brown and Raiven Adams' relationship has been a rollercoaster ride, with break-ups, make-ups, and two children. While they have had their fair share of challenges, they continue to co-parent their children and work on their relationship.

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