Steve McBee Sr. is opening up about life behind bars for the first time since beginning his federal prison sentence. The “The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys” star, 52, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in October after pleading guilty to one count of federal crop insurance fraud and self-surrendered in December. Now, just ahead of the holidays, McBee’s family has shared his first message from prison, offering fans a candid update on how he’s adjusting.
Steve McBee Sr.’s Family Shares 1st Update From Prison
McBee’s son, Cole McBee, shared the update via Instagram on December 17, posting a video message to his father’s official page. Cole appeared alongside his fiancée, Kacie Adkison, and the couple’s 11-month-old daughter, Blair, as he relayed how his father is doing.
“He’s doing alright,” Cole said. “He’s getting used to it and he has something he wants me to read off for you guys.”
In his message, Steve Sr. thanked fans for their continued support as his family navigates what he called a “life-changing situation.”
“He’s doing as well as could be expected under the current circumstances as he gets adjusted to a life in federal prison,” Cole added.
According to Cole, McBee Sr. has settled into a structured routine. He spends his days attending classes and working at the recreation center until about 8 p.m., leaving him only a short window in the evenings before the 10 p.m. count and lights out.
“He does read every single letter and said he looks forward to it every single night,” Cole shared, adding that while his father can’t respond to everyone, he reads them all. Cole also noted that McBee’s roommates enjoy hearing the messages of support, joking that his dad avoids reading the more private letters out loud.
“Obviously, he is in federal prison; it’s not great,” Cole said. “It ain’t like he’s living the life. It’s a change, and it’s different. But he’s a very optimistic person, and he takes it one day at a time.”
‘The McBee Dynasty’ Star Explains His Case & Prison Sentence
Before reporting to prison, McBee Sr. addressed his sentence in an emotional interview on the Dec. 1 episode of the “Chrisley Confessions” podcast with fellow reality star Todd Chrisley.
“I’m going on my sabbatical,” McBee joked about what he is telling people about his sentence.
McBee explained that the federal investigation began before “The McBee Dynasty” had even finished production on season 1. At first, he believed an audit into his farming business would be routine.
“We’ll provide all the information, they’ll see we didn’t do anything. It’ll go away,” he recalled thinking.
But in November 2024, when his attorney informed him that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had issued what McBee described as a “best and final offer.”
“They said, ‘You have 48 hours, two days,’” McBee explained.
According to McBee, prosecutors warned that if he did not plead guilty to one count of providing a fraudulent statement to crop insurance investigators, they would pursue 27 federal indictments, including potential charges against his son, Steven McBee Jr., and other businesses connected to the family.
McBee ultimately accepted the plea deal, saying he did so to protect his son and employees.
During the interview, McBee described the discrepancy at the center of the case as a clerical issue involving one half-field and planting dates between 2018 and 2020.
“I call it a ‘half-mistake,’” he told Chrisley. “It’s so minor of a clerical issue…for them to say, ‘Your entire claim is null and void,’ it’s mind-numbing.”
“The McBee Dynasty” is currently filming season 3. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Peacock.
