‘Moonshiners’ Star Steven Ray Tickle’s Latest Jail Stint Sparks Fan Outrage and Questions

Steven Ray Tickle, known simply as Tickle to fans of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, has once again found himself behind bars, reigniting discussions about his turbulent history with the law. The reality TV star, a fan favorite for his larger-than-life personality and dedication to crafting illicit moonshine, has faced multiple legal battles over the years, with his latest incarceration in 2025 drawing significant attention. While the show’s disclaimer reminds viewers that “anyone making moonshine risks life-threatening injury or time in prison,” Tickle’s most recent jail time, surprisingly, was not directly tied to his moonshining activities, leaving fans speculating and frustrated.

A Year Behind Bars

In a 2019 episode of Moonshiners, Tickle opened up about the emotional toll of incarceration, saying, “After being locked up for a while, you get the feeling that you’re all on your own. There’s nobody else out there rooting for you and stuff. It plays on you mentally, it plays on you physically. In jail, you’re either laughing or you’re crying… there is no in-between.” His candid reflection resonated with viewers, many of whom have followed his journey since he joined the show in its third season in 2013. The new season of Moonshiners teased Tickle’s return after over a year in jail, but with his longtime partner, Tim Smith, shifting toward legal distilling, Tickle is forced to reconnect with an old friend to reclaim his status as an “outlaw shiner.”

While the exact reason for Tickle’s most recent imprisonment wasn’t disclosed on the show, fans have pointed to a probation violation as the likely cause. Social media buzzed with reactions, with one viewer tweeting, “WTF is Tickle doing drinking moonshine while he’s on probation… just got outta jail and already headed back.” Another wrote, “Tickle pickle doesn’t know how to stay out of jail. A year in the slammer. He does the crime and he does the time.” These sentiments reflect the frustration and fascination surrounding Tickle’s repeated legal troubles, which have become a recurring theme in his Moonshiners storyline.

A History of Legal Woes

Tickle’s legal issues are well-documented, dating back to earlier incidents that have kept him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. In 2013, he was arrested for public intoxication in Danville, Virginia, after police found him drinking alone in a convenience store parking lot with an open container, reeking of alcohol. The incident, reported by outlets like USA Today and the Daily Mail, resulted in a modest $25 fine, but it marked the beginning of Tickle’s publicized brushes with the law.

His troubles escalated in 2015 when he was pulled over for a traffic stop due to a faulty headlight. Officers discovered a sawed-off shotgun in the front seat of his truck, leading to a felony charge for illegal firearm possession. To make matters worse, Tickle was driving on a suspended license. In 2016, he was convicted and received a three-year suspended sentence, contingent on good behavior and 18 months of probation. Tickle maintained his innocence, stating, “I am a law-abiding citizen. That gun is something that a buddy of mine gave me many years ago,” claiming he intended to pass it on to his deceased friend’s grandson.

However, Tickle’s freedom was short-lived. In September 2016, he was ordered to serve five months in jail for violating his probation, a consequence of using cocaine, as reported by the Chatham Star-Tribune. His probation officer testified that Tickle admitted to the drug use and signed a substance abuse admission form. The judge, while revoking his suspended sentence, resuspended all but five months, placing Tickle on 12 months of probation upon release with a condition of good behavior for five years.

The most recent stint, which kept Tickle incarcerated for over a year, was a significant blow. During this time, he missed key moments in his personal life, including his daughter Daisy’s move to college. “Do I have regrets? Well, of course, I have regrets,” Tickle said on Moonshiners. “I missed a whole lot of stuff while I’ve been in jail. My daughter going to college. I wasn’t there to take her and set her up in her dorm room and stuff. Being there for my mom, my dad died last year. These are things I found you can’t get back.” His emotional confession highlighted the personal cost of his legal troubles, compounded by the loss of his father, whose illness had previously driven Tickle to seek solace in drugs.

A Failed Bid for Work Release

During his incarceration, Tickle’s friend and Moonshiners co-star Tim Smith attempted to secure a work release, allowing Tickle to work at Smith’s legal Climax Moonshine distillery while serving his sentence. The request was denied, with the judge deeming it inappropriate for an inmate to work with alcohol, even in a legal capacity. The decision underscored the challenges Tickle faced in balancing his television persona with his legal obligations. Upon his release in 2017, Tim was there to pick him up, and the duo shared a hearty breakfast at a diner, a moment captured on Moonshiners that showed their enduring friendship.

At the time, Tickle hinted at a desire to leave moonshining behind, telling Tim, “I don’t even know about going back out in the woods. Back in the woods, making moonshine. I am seriously thinking of not doing that because I just don’t want to go back to where I was at. I got to find another direction to go.” However, as the new season reveals, Tickle’s resolve to go straight didn’t last, and he’s back to his outlaw ways, partnering with another friend to continue his moonshining legacy.

A Resilient Return to Moonshiners

Tickle’s repeated incarcerations haven’t dimmed his appeal on Moonshiners, where his charisma and defiance keep viewers hooked. Born on November 30, 1976, in Virginia, Tickle, now 49, has been a fixture on the show since 2013, alongside Tim Smith, the “most wanted moonshiner.” Beyond moonshining, Tickle is a skilled carpenter, having worked on projects like Clyde’s Restaurant in Washington, D.C., and even considered a congressional run in Virginia’s 5th district in 2013. His estimated net worth, bolstered by his Moonshiners earnings, exceeds $500,000, with reports suggesting he earned over $1 million from a single season.

Despite his legal troubles, Tickle’s personal life remains a point of intrigue. He married bail bondswoman Carol Ann in 2019 in a moonshine-themed wedding, attended by fellow Moonshiners stars like Tim Smith. Tickle has a daughter, Daisy, now 22, who he credits with inspiring him to quit drinking after she pleaded with him to stop. However, his struggles with substance abuse, exacerbated by his father’s illness, have contributed to his legal woes.

As Moonshiners continues to air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery, Tickle’s return to the screen promises more drama and defiance. While his latest jail stint wasn’t moonshine-related, his refusal to abandon the outlaw lifestyle keeps fans both exasperated and enthralled. With his knack for trouble and his unwavering commitment to his craft, Tickle remains a polarizing yet captivating figure in the world of Moonshiners.