Latest news with #Haddix
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Weapon debate adds new twist in ‘Chimp Crazy' saga
Note: This video is from March 31, 2025. ST. LOUIS – Tonia Haddix, the Missouri woman at the center of the HBO series 'Chimp Crazy,' was back in federal court Friday morning after concerns were raised regarding her bond conditions. 55-year-old Haddix pled guilty on March 31 to three felony charges, which include two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. These charges stemmed from Haddix lying under oath about one of her chimpanzees, Tonka, dying so she could keep him. She was released on her own recognizance with a list of conditions she had to follow, and both the judge and prosecuting attorney Hal Goldsmith emphasized a particular one that stated she could not possess any firearm or weapon in her house. In court Friday, Judge Stephen Welby said he had been notified of a CO2 rifle used for tranquilizing located in her home during a pre-trial visit. The debate went back and forth between Welby, Goldsmith and defense attorney Justin Gelfand over whether the described rifle goes against the bond conditions. Haddix also joined in, noting to the judge that it was not a rifle but rather a 'pump gun.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Goldsmith argued that during the last hearing, the orders were reiterated, and Tonia said she had nothing in her home, to which Gelfand stated that the tranquilizer had the sole use of shooting darts. Welby ultimately sided with the defense, adding that as Haddix runs Sunrise Safari, the tranquilizer may be needed if there is concern with the animals being around little kids. The bond condition was updated to keep the tranquilizer in a barn away from the house and safari, and that only Tonia's husband as well as safari staff members have access to it. It's unclear what will happen to the safari, as Haddix is set to lose her animal welfare license on April 22. It was said during the last hearing that an appeal is in the works. Haddix is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Chimp Crazy' Star Pleads Guilty to Charges Over Faking Pet Chimpanzee's Death
The star of the HBO docuseries Chimp Crazy pleaded guilty to perjury and obstruction of justice after she tearfully testified under oath that her beloved pet chimpanzee Tonka had died — when in reality, the primate was sitting in her basement. Tonia Haddix could face up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines for the three felony counts. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 16 and firecracker Haddix was warned by U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark against making any more colorful remarks about the case in the interim. More from Rolling Stone Andrew Tate Beat, Choked 'Terrified' Girlfriend at Beverly Hills Hotel, Lawsuit Claims Dr. Dre Says His 'Rough' Texts to Doc Were 'Protected Activity.' Judge Disagrees Jay-Z's Extortion Claim Against Tony Buzbee Back From Dead 'If between now and sentencing you make statements to suggest that you do not accept responsibility, I will take that into account,' Clark said at Monday's court hearing, according to St. Louis Public Radio. 'I encourage you to confer with counsel before making any statements.' Rolling Stone has reached out to Haddix for comment, but her attorney Justin Gelfand told St. Louis Public Radio that she 'looks forward to putting this behind her.' Haddix became a minor celebrity last year following the release of the four-episode docuseries. She had been locked in a years-long, contentious feud with PETA after she took over the controversial Missouri Primate Foundation in 2018. In June 2021, a judge ordered Haddix to turn over seven chimpanzees in her care to a Florida animal sanctuary after she failed to make improvements to the roach-infested, feces-covered facility. However when PETA and officials arrived to transport the animals to the sanctuary, Haddix's favorite chimp Tonka — who starred in the movies George of the Jungle and Buddy — was nowhere to be found. Instead, Haddix claimed Tonka suddenly died after experiencing heart failure, submitting a sworn statement that claimed she cremated his remains. Although PETA was convinced Haddix was lying, they were unable to prove that Tonka was alive. They teamed up with Tonka's former co-star Alan Cumming to offer $20,000 in reward money to anyone who could help find Tonka's whereabouts. But Tonka was discovered alive in June 2022 after PETA received information that Haddix had been keeping Tonka locked up in a cage in her basement. The tip came from a documentary crew who had been filming with Haddix for what she claimed to believe was a film supporting the private ownership of exotic animals. In reality, Tiger King's Eric Goode was behind the project. For nearly a year, the crew had captured incriminating footage of Haddix, including a stunning scene where Haddix breaks down in tears during a Zoom court hearing about Tonka's supposed death only for her to slam the laptop shut and celebrate her short-lived court victory with Tonka in her basement. After the docuseries aired, PETA used the footage and other evidence to push the court to pursue criminal charges against Haddix. In a statement provided to Rolling Stone, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said the organization hopes Haddix serves prison time 'so she can get a taste of the suffering she condemned Tonka and other animals to.' 'When PETA and U.S. Marshals found where Haddix had hidden Tonka, he was alone, locked in a tiny cage in Haddix's dark basement, isolated, and denied everything necessary for a healthy, happy life,' Newkirk said. 'U.S. Marshals and PETA freed him and now Tonka spends his days at a beautiful sanctuary roaming a three-acre island, climbing, basking in the Florida sun, and, most importantly, spending time with other chimpanzees — and Haddix must now face consequences for her selfish, cruel actions.' Haddix previously told Rolling Stone that her love for Tonka clouded some of her decisions. If she could do it all over again, Haddix said she would still fight for Tonka, but would do some things differently. 'I wouldn't get involved with a film crew,' she said. 'They're three-quarters of my problem. Secondly, I would not have lied to a federal court judge. I just would have handled it all in a better way.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Chimp Crazy' Tonia Haddix pleads guilty to three felony charges
Note: This video is from June 2021. ST. LOUIS – Tonia Haddix, the Festus woman at the center of the HBO series 'Chimp Crazy,' for her handling of chimpanzees, appeared in federal court Monday. She entered court, waiving her indictment. Haddix, 55, was emotional as she pled guilty to three felony charges—two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. '(I'm glad) that we were able to negotiate a fair resolution in my client's best interest,' Haddix's attorney, Justin Gelfand, stated. 'She looks forward to putting this behind her.' Over the course of years, Haddix has been accused of unsafe and unsanitary conditions for the seven chimpanzees in her care, as well as lying that one died so she could secretly keep the animal. Prosecuting Attorney Al Goldsmith emphasized Haddix previously lying under oath regarding the faked death of her chimpanzee Tonka. Chief Judge Stephen Clark also cited specific examples of Haddix publicly declaring her innocence in her podcast, 'wild + tame,' also known as the 'Chimp Crazy Lady Show.' Illinois to defy Trump voter order for April election '(Haddix) clearly obstructed the administration of justice… there was evidence that Tonka was alive, and the court acted appropriately and issued orders that Tonka be taken from the defendant,' Goldsmith said following the hearing. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had publicized their concerns since 2018 not only for the animals but also for community members after one escaped the enclosure in 2020. U.S. Marshals eventually seized the chimpanzees and transported them to a wildlife sanctuary in Florida. Haddix is scheduled to lose her animal welfare license on April 22 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered the termination of her license earlier this month. Haddix is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chimp Crazy's Tonia Haddix loses animal welfare license
FESTUS, Mo. – Tonia Haddix, the subject of HBO docuseries 'Chimp Crazy' and a controversial figure in exotic animal ownership, is set to lose her animal welfare license, according to a new federal court order. On March 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a motion that orders the 'termination' of Haddix's federal license, which allows her to broker and transport infant monkeys and other wild animals, in addition to operating her roadside animal zoo in Sunrise Beach, Missouri. Body of missing St. Peters man found, no foul play suspected Haddix has recently gained notoriety as the focus of the viral HBO docuseries 'Chimp Crazy,' which explores her actions and broader issues related to the private ownership of exotic animals, specifically chimpanzees. The docuseries is based on original reporting from FOX Files investigator Chris Hayes. Throughout the years, Haddix cared for the seven chimpanzees and bred them as talent for films and photoshoots, among other activities. These chimpanzees previously inhabited the Missouri Primate Foundation, a now-defunct animal breeding facility near Festus. Haddix's attachment to one chimpanzee, Tonka, sparked national attention in 2021. Tonka is a former animal movie star, appearing in films like the 1997 comedy Buddy. At some point, Haddix claimed that Tonka had died when she instead had him locked in her basement. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Over the last several years, Haddix has faced several high-profile legal battles related to exotic animal ownership. The March 13 court ruling comes more than three months after an administrative lawsuit accused her of lying in federal court about Tonka's death and arguing that her actions made her unfit to hold an animal welfare license. Animal advocacy group PETA says it repeatedly urged USDA to revoke Haddix's license, filing multiple complaints and meeting with agency officials. Haddix's license termination is scheduled to take effect April 22, unless she appeals the USDA's order. Once revoked, the order would disqualify her from holding a license to exhibit and sell USDA-regulated animals for two years. NOTE: Video is from FOX 2's reporting in Dec. 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
