Joshua “Bam Bam” Brown, the second oldest son of the Brown family from the reality TV show “Alaskan Bush People,” faced significant legal issues. Growing up in the Alaskan wilderness, Joshua mastered survival skills, and the Brown family’s off-the-grid lifestyle, emphasizing freedom and self-reliance, was chronicled on the Discovery Channel show. Joshua was known for his calm demeanor and problem-solving abilities.
Trouble began when questions arose about the family’s residency and their collection of payments from Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend program, which requires year-round residency. Investigations revealed that the family, including Joshua, spent considerable time outside Alaska while still collecting these payments. Joshua was specifically implicated for falsifying his dividend applications, claiming Alaskan residency under oath when evidence suggested otherwise.
Joshua and his father, Billy, faced charges of falsification and theft. In court, prosecutors presented evidence of deliberate falsification of residency documents to obtain state benefits. Joshua’s defense argued his limited formal education and reliance on his father’s guidance. However, evidence, including timestamped photos, contradicted his residency claims.
Joshua was found guilty. His sentence included:
- 30 days in jail.
- Repayment of approximately $8,000 in improperly received dividend payments, plus fines and court costs, totaling over $10,000.
- 40 hours of community service to be performed in Alaska.
- Permanent ineligibility for any future Permanent Fund Dividend payments, a lasting consequence that severed his connection to a key aspect of Alaskan life.
Joshua’s sentencing significantly impacted the Brown family. Practical challenges arose at their wilderness home, with projects stalling and essential equipment breaking down due to Joshua’s absence and his mechanical skills. Emotionally, his absence created a void, as he was a stabilizing force, and tensions rose among the siblings. The family matriarch, Ammy, faced immense stress while dealing with her own health issues. The younger siblings struggled with the public scrutiny and media attention. Financial pressures mounted due to legal fees and the disruption to the show’s production. Discovery Channel faced challenges in navigating the situation and its impact on the show’s narrative.
For Joshua, the permanent ban from the dividend program was the most painful part of the sentence, as it felt like a disconnection from Alaska, the place that defined his identity.
