Chip Hailstone's Criminal Past: Breaking The Law

Chip Hailstone, a reality TV star known for his appearance on the show 'Life Below Zero', was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2017. The charges against him included two counts of perjury and two counts of making false statements to the police. The conviction was a result of an incident in 2011, where Hailstone claimed that an Alaskan state trooper had physically assaulted his daughter. He also accused a neighbour of pointing a gun at his son. However, these claims were later disproved, and Hailstone was found guilty of providing false information to the police. Despite maintaining his innocence and appealing the ruling, Hailstone's sentence was upheld, and he served his time at the Anchorage Correctional Complex.

Chip Hailstone was convicted of two counts of perjury

Chip Hailstone, a reality TV star known for his appearance on the show 'Life Below Zero', was convicted of two counts of perjury and two counts of making false statements to the police. The charges stemmed from claims he made about an incident involving his daughter and the legal actions he took following the incident.

In July 2011, Hailstone's stepson, Jonathon Carter, and daughter, Tinmiaq Hailstone, were involved in a fight with several people, including weapons. Alaska State Troopers, Christopher Bitz and Gordon Young, were called to the scene and arrested several individuals, including Carter, who was charged with cutting someone with a knife. Following the incident, Hailstone claimed that an Alaskan state trooper, Bitz, had physically assaulted his daughter, who was 17 years old at the time. He also alleged that a villager had pointed a rifle at her. These claims were later disproved.

Hailstone took legal action and filed a restraining order against Trooper Bitz and another individual. He testified under oath before a magistrate judge, claiming that Bitz had assaulted his daughter and that his family had been threatened with physical harm. However, during the trial, it was found that Hailstone had lied about the circumstances and the threats he and his family had allegedly received.

As a result of his conviction, Hailstone was sentenced to 15 months in jail in 2017, followed by a three-year probationary period. He served his time at the Anchorage Correctional Complex and was released after serving his sentence. His conviction was later overturned, and he was no longer classified as a felon.

He was also convicted of two counts of providing false information to the police

In 2011, Chip Hailstone's daughter, Tinmiaq, was involved in a brawl with several people, including Chip's stepson, Jonathon Carter. During the incident, several weapons were brandished, and law enforcement was called. Following the altercation, Chip claimed that an Alaskan state trooper, Christopher Bitz, had physically assaulted his daughter, and that a villager had pointed a rifle at her. He also accused Trooper Bitz of stalking his family.

These claims were later disproved, and it was found that Chip had provided false information to the police. He was charged with two counts of perjury and two counts of providing false information. Specifically, he was convicted of making false statements to the police about the incident involving his daughter and the subsequent legal actions he took.

The trial revealed that Chip had repeatedly made false accusations against Trooper Bitz, claiming that he had assaulted his daughter, entered her personal space, and physically assaulted her, causing her pain. Chip also alleged that another officer, Trooper Young, had to intervene and physically stop Bitz from assaulting his daughter. He further asserted that Bitz had placed his hand on his firearm, threatening him and his wife with imminent harm.

The court determined that Chip had knowingly and intentionally made false statements to implicate Trooper Bitz in a crime. As a result, he was convicted of two counts of providing false information to the police and sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by a three-year probationary period.

Chip served his time at the Anchorage Correctional Complex and has since been released. His conviction caused him to miss a significant portion of the TV show "Life Below Zero," on which he and his family were featured.

He served 15 months in prison

In 2017, Chip Hailstone was sentenced to 15 months in prison for "two counts of perjury and making false statements to police officers". He served his sentence at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, followed by a three-year probationary period.

Hailstone's legal troubles began in July 2011 when his stepson, Jonathon Carter, and daughter, Tinmiaq Hailstone, were involved in a brawl with several people, including weapons. Alaska State Troopers Christopher Bitz and Gordon Young were called to the scene and arrested a number of people, including Carter, who was charged with cutting someone with a knife. Tinmiaq claimed that the person Carter cut had pointed a rifle at her, and Jack Wells was arrested accordingly.

The following day, Hailstone, his wife, and Tinmiaq went to the public safety building while the troopers were processing the arrests. They were upset because the troopers had not spoken to them to get their account of the fight. As a result, Trooper Young asked them to step outside. During this confrontation, Tinmiaq moved her hand in a manner that made both Bitz and Young believe that she was about to strike Bitz, so Bitz deflected and grabbed her arm, turning her and holding her arm off to the side and slightly behind her back.

Hailstone began to make false statements about Bitz's conduct, which resulted in four charges: two counts of perjury and two counts of providing false information with the intent of implicating another in an offense. He was convicted of all four counts and sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Hailstone appealed his conviction, arguing that he did not knowingly provide false information to the police. His appeal was dismissed in July 2017, and he served his sentence.

This was followed by a three-year probationary period

In 2017, Chip Hailstone was sentenced to 15 months in prison for two counts of perjury and making false statements to the police. He served his sentence at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. Following his release, he was placed on a three-year probationary period.

During this time, Hailstone was subject to certain conditions and restrictions imposed by a court or parole officer. Probation is typically granted as an alternative to a lengthier prison sentence, allowing individuals to serve their sentence in the community while being closely monitored and supervised. It is a period of testing and observation, where the individual must demonstrate that they can lead a law-abiding life and refrain from committing further crimes.

The terms of Hailstone's probation likely included regular check-ins with a probation officer, who would assess his compliance with the conditions set by the court. These conditions may have included restrictions on his movements, activities, and associations. He may have been required to maintain employment or enrol in an education program, undergo substance abuse testing or mental health treatment, and pay restitution to any victims.

The three-year probationary period aimed to facilitate Hailstone's successful reintegration into society and hold him accountable for his actions. It provided an opportunity for him to rebuild his life, reconnect with his family, and demonstrate that he could contribute positively to his community.

Probation is a critical phase in the criminal justice system, offering individuals a second chance while also holding them accountable. It allows for supervision, rehabilitation, and the development of skills necessary for a law-abiding life. Ultimately, the goal of probation is to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.

He has since been released

Since his release, Chip Hailstone has returned to his family and their way of life in Noorvik, Alaska. His return was featured on his reality TV show, "Life Below Zero," where viewers witnessed his reunion with his family and his reintegration into their daily routines.

Hailstone has also resumed his normal routine, including hunting and fishing, and can be seen on "Life Below Zero" each week. He has also been active on social media, posting pictures of himself with family and friends, as well as his castmates from the show.

In addition to returning to his previous activities, Hailstone has learned valuable lessons from his experience with the legal system and incarceration. He has emphasized the importance of honesty in legal proceedings and highlighted the consequences of making false statements. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of dishonesty in legal matters.

Furthermore, Hailstone's experience brought to light the resilience and adaptability of the Hailstone family. His wife, Agnes, had to take on additional responsibilities during his absence, and their children also missed him terribly. Despite the challenges, the family demonstrated their strength and unity in navigating life without him.

Hailstone's release allowed him to reconnect with his loved ones and continue their lives together in the remote and rugged environment of Alaska, as captured and shared with audiences worldwide through "Life Below Zero."

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