The Chimp Crazy Scandal: 5 Shocking Facts About Tonia Haddix’s Prison Sentence And The Tonka Lie

As of December 20, 2025, the controversial figure Tonia Haddix, star of the 2024 documentary "Chimp Crazy," is currently serving a nearly four-year federal prison sentence following her high-profile legal battle with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Her dramatic fall from self-proclaimed "Dolly Parton of chimps" to convicted felon centers on a shocking conspiracy of lies, perjury, and obstruction of justice related to the disappearance and fate of a chimpanzee named Tonka. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at her biography, the timeline of the scandal, and the legal consequences she now faces. The latest and most significant development in the Tonia Haddix saga occurred on August 7, 2025, when she was formally sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. This ruling cemented the end of a years-long legal fight over the welfare of exotic animals and exposed Haddix's repeated attempts to deceive both the court and the public. Her story is a complex web of exotic animal ownership, court contempt, and a desperate effort to hide a beloved primate from a court-ordered rescue.

Tonia Haddix: Full Biography and Profile

Tonia Rene Haddix became a prominent, albeit controversial, public figure due to her unique career path and her central role in the exotic animal trade, particularly involving chimpanzees. Her life and background are as follows:

• Full Name: Tonia Rene Haddix
• Age: 55 years old (as of the latest reports)
• Hometown: Ozark, Missouri
• Current Residence: Sunrise Beach, Missouri
• Husband: Jerry Aswegan
• Former Profession: Registered Nurse
• Current Profession/Role: Exotic Animal Broker, Primate Keeper, and Petting Zoo Operator
• Self-Proclaimed Title: The "Dolly Parton of chimps"
• Known For: The subject of the 2024 HBO documentary, Chimp Crazy
• Legal Status: Currently serving a 46-month federal prison sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice

The Tonka Scandal: Timeline of Deception and Legal Battles

The entire legal drama that ultimately led to Haddix's imprisonment revolves around a single chimpanzee named Tonka. Tonka was a former acting chimp who had appeared in films like George of the Jungle. Haddix’s refusal to comply with court orders to surrender Tonka to a sanctuary is what set the stage for her downfall and the shocking discovery of her lies.

The PETA Lawsuit and the Fight for Tonka

The conflict began in 2021 when PETA, arguing for the welfare of the chimpanzees, won a court order requiring Haddix to surrender Tonka and six other chimps to a sanctuary. This order was part of a broader legal action against the now-defunct Missouri Primate Foundation breeding compound, with which Haddix was affiliated. Haddix, however, was determined to keep Tonka, which she claimed was to protect him from the "evil clutches of PETA".

• 7 Shocking Claims And Unsealed Secrets In The Elon Musk Ashley St Clair Paternity Saga Toafs

The Faked Death and Perjury Charges

In a dramatic turn of events, Haddix claimed in June 2022 that Tonka had died. She even went so far as to provide fraudulent documents and testimony to the court to support her claim, a move that was captured in the documentary Chimp Crazy. PETA was immediately suspicious, arguing that Haddix was simply trying to evade the court-ordered transfer. This suspicion was confirmed when a phone call between Haddix and a proxy director was leaked to PETA, revealing that Tonka was alive and being hidden.

In a subsequent search, federal agents discovered Tonka alive and well, hidden inside Haddix’s home in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, specifically in a large cage on her property. This discovery led to the federal indictment. Haddix eventually pleaded guilty to three felony charges: two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice, admitting that she lied repeatedly to the court about Tonka's status.

The Legal Fallout and Financial Ruin

The consequences of Haddix’s actions extended far beyond the emotional toll of the chimp's disappearance. She faced severe financial penalties and further legal complications involving her husband and associated businesses.

• The Surprising Number How Many Kids Does Tyreek Hill Have 2025 Update Iij3i

Federal Prison Sentence and Fines

The sentencing in August 2025 was the culmination of the federal charges. Haddix was sentenced to 46 months in prison, a significant term that reflects the seriousness of her felony crimes of perjury and obstruction of justice. The court also found that her actions were a deliberate effort to subvert the judicial process. Furthermore, in a separate but related case, Haddix was ordered to pay PETA $225,000 in legal fees, a massive financial penalty for her protracted legal maneuvering and deception.

Contempt of Court and Husband’s Involvement

The legal troubles also ensnared her husband, Jerry Aswegan, and four companies affiliated with the couple. A Missouri state court found these entities in contempt of court for ignoring judicial orders to hand over financial records related to their exotic animal operations. This indicates a broader pattern of non-compliance and legal defiance that characterized the couple's response to authorities and animal welfare organizations. The judge, St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May, even ordered the arrest of Haddix and Aswegan at one point for their repeated disregard for court orders.

The Discovery of Another Hidden Chimp

Adding to her legal woes, Haddix was also jailed when investigators found another chimpanzee hidden in her basement, further complicating her legal battles and demonstrating a continued pattern of hiding primates from authorities. This secondary discovery underscored the depth of her commitment to keeping the animals outside of court jurisdiction, regardless of the legal risk.

• The Heartbreaking Truth A Look At Charlie Kirks Two Young Children And Wife Erika Frandsen Kirk After His Death 7dkcr

Tonia Haddix’s case is a cautionary tale about the dark side of exotic animal ownership and the severe penalties for lying under oath. The conviction and prison sentence send a clear message about the consequences of obstructing justice, especially in cases involving animal welfare. The story of Tonka the chimp—now safely at a sanctuary—has become a national symbol of the fight between animal rights advocates and private exotic animal owners.

Detail Author:

• Name : Dr. Gardner Kohler DDS
• Username : hintz.marc
• Email : bailey.ressie@rath.com
• Birthdate : 1995-10-28
• Address : 2852 Purdy Mill Shanahanshire, OH 64383-1996
• Phone : 1-220-615-0091
• Company : McLaughlin Ltd
• Job : Natural Sciences Manager
• Bio : Ut ipsam aliquid sed sunt. Ipsam magnam voluptatem et dolores. Illum vitae mollitia eaque rerum aperiam.

Socials

twitter:

• url : https://twitter.com/anna.zboncak
• username : anna.zboncak
• bio : Molestiae maxime non dolor facilis ducimus. Corporis dignissimos sint et qui. Ea ipsa aut nisi tempore magnam et voluptatum.
• followers : 2873
• following : 2374

tiktok:

• url : https://tiktok.com/@anna_zboncak
• username : anna_zboncak
• bio : Quia qui eos earum voluptatibus adipisci.
• followers : 4742
• following : 2995

instagram:

• url : https://instagram.com/anna1460
• username : anna1460
• bio : Qui ab dolorum voluptate quaerat. Itaque explicabo dolor consequuntur maxime.
• followers : 4332
• following : 201

facebook:

• url : https://facebook.com/anna_zboncak
• username : anna_zboncak
• bio : Quae consequatur molestiae architecto itaque sequi nobis.
• followers : 3159
• following : 1650