How Is Steven Ray Tickle Doing After Jail and Marriage — Has Life Finally Settled for the Moonshiners Star?
Steven Ray Tickle: From Moonshine Mischief and Jail Stints to Married Life and Continued Fame on ‘Moonshiners’
Gretna, Virginia – September 18, 2025 – Steven Ray Tickle, the charismatic moonshiner affectionately known simply as “Tickle” to fans of the Discovery Channel’s long-running docudrama Moonshiners, has come a long way since his tumultuous days of legal troubles and high-stakes distilling in the Appalachian backwoods. Born on November 30, 1976, in Southwest Carolina to parents Louise Elaine Keller and Larry Craig Tickle, Tickle’s life story reads like a script from his own reality show – filled with hardship, rebellion, redemption, and a stubborn passion for the illicit art of moonshining. Raised primarily by his mother in Dry Fork, Virginia, alongside brothers Daryl, Mike, and Glenn after his father’s invalidity left the family in tough straits, Tickle navigated a childhood marked by unfortunate incidents that shaped his “easy-going yet deplorable” decision-making, as fans often describe it. Today, at 48 years old, Tickle appears healthier, happier, and more settled than ever, thanks in large part to his 2019 marriage to bail bondswoman Carol Ann Tickle and his ongoing role in Moonshiners Season 13. But has he truly left his “bad habits” behind? Recent updates suggest yes, with a focus on family, legitimate ventures, and promoting the very craft that once landed him behind bars.
Tickle’s early life was anything but ordinary. After graduating from Tunstall High School in Dry Fork, he pursued carpentry, becoming a registered union carpenter and contributing to notable projects like the construction of Clyde’s American Bar and Restaurant in Washington, D.C. His skills with wood and tools would later prove invaluable in building hidden stills deep in the Virginia woods. But Tickle’s ambitions extended far beyond manual labor. In 2012, he boldly announced his run for U.S. President as an independent, campaigning on the outrageous platform “Everybody Gets a Sip” – a nod to his moonshine roots. Though he quickly realized the bid was overly ambitious, he pivoted in 2013 to eyeing a congressional seat against Virginia Representative Robert Hurt, showcasing his quirky desire to serve the public. These political forays, while short-lived, endeared him to fans as the lovable “knucklehead” of the Moonshiners cast.
The Moonshiners series, produced by Magilla Entertainment for Discovery Channel since its 2011 debut, chronicles the adventures of so-called illegal distillers in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Moonshining, a tradition tracing back to Scots-Irish immigrants who brought distilling techniques to the area’s secluded woods and mountains, allowed subsistence farmers to turn surplus corn into profitable (if unlawful) whiskey. The Prohibition era (1920-1933), enacted via the 18th Amendment, ironically boosted the trade before its repeal by the 21st Amendment under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Post-Prohibition, personal consumption was tolerated, but commercial production required licenses and taxes – a line Tickle and his cohorts gleefully crossed for the cameras. The show, inspired by the life of legendary moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton (whose 2008 documentary This Is the Last Damn Run of Liquor I’ll Ever Make won a regional Emmy in 2017), always carried a disclaimer: Moonshining is illegal, and viewers shouldn’t try it at home. Sutton, a generational distiller who couldn’t resist boasting about his craft, faced arrest and tragically took his own life in 2009 at age 62 while on probation, fearing federal prison.
Tickle learned the ropes young, observing relatives in Danville, Virginia, using old-time techniques. By adulthood, he experimented with ingredients in jelly jars and even a turkey fryer, innovating recipes he claimed “get in your blood.” He partnered with veteran moonshiner Tim Smith, who had been distilling since age six, to supply a loyal clientele. It was Tim who convinced Tickle to join Moonshiners in Season 3 (2013), despite the risks: up to five years in prison and hefty fines. Tickle, hesitant at first, relented to preserve the fading art. “I wouldn’t mind going to jail if that’s what it took to get it back out there,” he said. His folksy charm and antics made him a fan favorite, leading to a 2013 spin-off, Tickle, which aired 12 episodes. The series followed his escapades discovering a hidden moonshine stash, evading owners and law enforcement, hosting charity fish fries, and throwing a party for his ailing father – all while selling “stolen” hooch like hotcakes. Though many suspected scripting, fans adored the adventures.
But Tickle’s off-screen life was far less glamorous, marked by multiple arrests unrelated to moonshining – a fact that surprised fans who saw him as the laid-back everyman. His first brush came in March 2013 in Danville, Virginia, for public intoxication. Spotted alone in a convenience store parking lot at 2:40 p.m., reeking of alcohol, Tickle was too impaired to walk and spent a night in jail before release. Undeterred, in July 2015, he faced a felony charge for possessing a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun (14 inches long), illegal under Virginia’s Crimes and Offenses Act. Pulled over for a broken headlight and suspended license, the weapon was in plain view. In March 2016, Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Judge Stacy W. Moreau sentenced him to three years but suspended it, citing his clean record and role as sole custodian to his 15-year-old daughter. Tickle tearfully explained the gun was a memento from a deceased friend, vowing to quit drinking (except for “quality checks” on the show). Conditions included 18 months’ probation, five years’ good behavior, no firearms, and court costs.
Trouble persisted. In September 2016, Judge James Reynolds revoked the suspension after Tickle admitted cocaine use during a relapse triggered by his father’s terminal illness. His probation officer, Becky Quarles, reported the violation. Tickle served five months active time, followed by 12 months’ probation and five years’ good behavior. His daughter defended him in court, praising his help with her straight-A homework despite his struggles. Upon release in early 2017, Tim Smith and son JT picked him up, treating him to his first free meal. Inside, inmates begged for moonshine, but Tickle refused, exhausted by confinement. “I just wanted to stay out of trouble,” he said, considering ditching the woods for good. Tim offered a legit distillery job but warned of relapse risks.
Post-jail, Tickle turned a corner. On October 19, 2019, he married Carol Ann, a bail bondswoman who, contrary to rumors, had no role in his arrests. Tickle joked she “pursued [him] for six years” before he relented. The moonshine-themed wedding, with copper fixtures and bronze bridesmaid dresses, was attended by co-stars like Tim Smith, Henry and Kenny Law, and Howie. “Standing at the altar with Carol, making vows before God,” was Tickle’s highlight; Carol cherished his “special solo dance.” The event, shared on social media, symbolized his fresh start.
Since then, Tickle has kept his promise to the court, avoiding old habits. In a 2022 Discovery Q&A, he and Carol shared marriage updates, crediting her for his stability: “I was in and out of jail, couldn’t act right. She gives me a reason to stand up and be the man I am today.” Photos on his Facebook page (@officialticklemoonshiners, with nearly 99,000 likes) show a healthy, happy Tickle promoting Moonshiners. He’s still on the show in Season 13 (2024), recruited by Tim to clear a barn of “illegal evidence” in Pittsylvania County – embracing the “dirty work” he loves. No new arrests or scandals reported as of 2025; he’s focused on family, including his now-adult daughter.
Legitimately, Tickle’s moonshine – Tickle’s Dynamite Cinnamon, a 70-proof recipe – is produced via a Discovery partnership with Sugarlands Distilling Company, available online and in stores. He helps promote Carol’s autobiography series, Cat the Bounty Huntress, detailing her bounty-hunting adventures. Together, they run The Tickle’s YouTube channel, uploading cooking traditions, life events, and calls to “like and subscribe.” Videos end with: “Thank you for being with us – we’ll see you back tomorrow.”
Tickle’s net worth, estimated over $1 million from the show (including $175,000 annually from Tickle), reflects his enduring appeal. From a troubled youth to jailbird turned family man, Tickle’s journey proves redemption is possible – even for a moonshiner. As he promotes on social media, the century-old Appalachian battle rages on, but for Tickle, it’s now about legacy, not just liquor.
