Reality TV star Steven McBee Sr. has been sentenced to two years in federal prison and an additional two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving crop insurance. The 52-year-old star, known for his role in ‘McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys,’ admitted to submitting fraudulent documents between 2018 and 2020. These false reports significantly underreported his corn and soybean crops, resulting in over $3 million in fraudulent insurance benefits to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The sentencing followed a plea deal in which McBee acknowledged the financial harm caused by his actions, leading to the court’s decision to impose prison time and restitution.
In a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Oct. 16, McBee was also ordered to pay $4,022,124 in restitution to the U.S.D.A. Risk Management Agency. According to court documents obtained by People, McBee was ordered to forfeit all property, real and personal, constituting or derived from proceeds traceable to the offenses. The items returned include three designer watches: a Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch, a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera watch, and a Rolex Daytona. The 52-year-old reality star has until 2 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2025, to surrender to the Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, South Dakota.
Following his sentencing, McBee took to his Instagram stories on Friday to thank his followers for their well wishes. He shared a text message from a friend expressing support and highlighted his gratitude for his family and extended family. The star noted that the number of messages he received touched his heart, emphasizing his appreciation for the people who contributed to his personal growth. He wrote, ‘I count my blessings every day for my family and the support they give me and for my extended family that continues to grow each and every day. This too shall pass…’
According to a press release from the Department of Justice, McBee pleaded guilty to one count of federal crop insurance fraud in November 2024. The star admitted to engaging in fraudulent activity from 2018 to 2020, which caused an economic loss to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The court’s decision to impose the prison sentence and supervised release was influenced by the severity of the fraud and its impact on the agency’s resources. Prior to the sentencing, McBee was facing up to 30 years in federal prison, with prosecutors recommending 41 months in prison and three years of supervision.
News of the sentencing comes just one day after Bravo announced they renewed the show for a third season. The show, which first premiered in 2024 on Peacock and USA Network, now airs on Bravo. The show focuses on the McBee family as they work together to run McBee Farm & Cattle Co., a family-owned farm and cattle ranch. McBee’s comments to Fox News Digital in June 2024 highlighted the show’s success and its influence on public perception of the cowboy lifestyle. He mentioned that the popularity of the television show ‘Yellowstone’ increased interest in the cowboy lifestyle, making people aspire to live a more rural and agricultural life.