After months of delays, Steve McBee has finally received his sentencing in his crop insurance fraud case. The patriarch of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys pleaded guilty in 2024 for filing multiple false insurance claims, resulting in a nearly $4 million loss to the United States Department of Agriculture. He faced up to 30 years in prison, but he ended up with a much softer punishment.
Steve McBee was sentenced to 24 months in prison and slapped with a $4 million bill
Steve finally had his sentencing hearing on Thursday, October 16, where he received a sentence of 24 months behind bars. He’ll spend another two years on supervised release, according to court documents reviewed by People. Additionally, he’s on the hook for $4 million in restitution and a $3.1 million judgment. He has to surrender before 2 pm on Monday, December 1.
The sentencing arrived nearly a year after he pleaded guilty to submitting false insurance claims. He lied to insurance companies about his corn and soybean yields, resulting in him receiving millions in unwarranted federal benefits.
Steve’s FBI case loomed over Season 2 of The McBees like a shadow, with him keeping most of the family in the dark about his legal issues. Steven McBee Jr., who took over the family business, was the only person who knew about the investigation. The season ended with him telling his brothers that their father was in some deep trouble. After the guilty plea, the McBees had to wrestle with the real possibility that he’d spend the rest of his life in jail.
“All of the emotions are being stirred leading up to my dad’s sentencing. We love him so much, and love our family unit, so to picture him not being here with us for any amount of time … it’s scary,” Steven said ahead of the hearing.
Just hours before the sentencing, Bravo announced that they had renewed The McBees for Season 3, with filming kicking off in Missouri this week. That means you’ll get to see all of this play out on Bravo sometime next year.
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON STEVE’S SENTENCING? DO YOU THINK IT’S A FAIR PUNISHMENT?
