In a shocking turn of events, Steve McBee Sr., the patriarch of the McBee family, has been sentenced to two years in prison for federal crop insurance fraud, just as their reality series, The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, gets renewed for a third season. But here’s where it gets controversial: as the family grapples with the fallout of Steve Sr.’s legal troubles, fans are left wondering how the show will navigate this dramatic real-life plot twist. Will it bring the family closer together, or will it tear them apart? Let’s dive in.
Published on October 16, 2025, by Alex Vena, the news broke that Steve McBee Sr. officially received his sentence, which includes two years in prison, two years of supervised release, and a staggering $4,022,124 in restitution, as reported by People. He is required to self-surrender by 2 p.m. on December 1. This comes after Steve Sr. pleaded guilty in November 2024 to federal crop insurance fraud spanning from 2018 to 2020, as detailed by Bravo’s The Daily Dish. While Steve Sr. was largely absent from Season 2 of the Bravo series, which focuses on the McBee family farm in Gallatin, Missouri, the season concluded with a bombshell: his eldest son, Steven McBee Jr., revealed to his brothers Cole and Jesse that their father was under FBI investigation.
In a candid interview with The Daily Dish in late August, Steven Jr. admitted he was overwhelmed with emotions ahead of his father’s sentencing. “We love him so much, and love our family unit,” he shared. “To picture him not being here with us for any amount of time, it’s scary.” This raw vulnerability offers a glimpse into the emotional toll the situation has taken on the family.
And this is the part most people miss: despite the looming legal drama, The McBee Dynasty was renewed for a third season, with filming set to begin before Steve Sr.’s sentencing. In his interview, Steven Jr. emphasized their focus on staying positive, though he acknowledged the constant stress. “We’re ready to get past that day, deal with whatever comes of it, and move on,” he said. “No matter what, if we stick together as a family, we’ll make it through anything.”
During a July interview with DECIDER, Steven Jr. and his brother Jesse reflected on the moment Steven Jr. finally shared the news about their father’s legal issues. “It felt good to finally tell you guys,” Steven Jr. admitted. “But I also think I should have told you earlier. There were some very tense moments leading up to that.” This highlights the internal struggles the family faced even before the public knew the full story.
On Thursday, Steven Jr. reposted a heartfelt Father’s Day tribute to Steve Sr. on his Instagram story, writing, “Love ya Dad. Whole family is here for you.” It’s a poignant reminder of the family’s bond amidst the chaos.
As the first two seasons of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys continue to stream on Peacock, fans are left with a burning question: How will the show address Steve Sr.’s imprisonment in Season 3? Will it humanize the family’s struggles, or will it exploit their pain for ratings? And more importantly, does the renewal of the show overshadow the seriousness of the crime committed? Weigh in below—what do you think? Is this a story of resilience, or a cautionary tale about the price of fame?
