Hailey
A St. Louis County judge has issued arrest orders for Tonia Haddix, known from the controversial show Chimp Crazy, and her husband Jerry Aswegan, after they repeatedly disobeyed court instructions related to an ongoing legal dispute with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Failure to Comply with Court Orders
Circuit Judge Brian May ruled that four companies affiliated with Haddix and Aswegan blatantly refused to submit financial records and other required documents, despite explicit court directives.
The judge emphasized that both individuals failed to attend court-ordered depositions, further demonstrating their non-compliance.
This legal issue traces back to a larger case in which PETA is attempting to collect nearly $225,000 in legal fees and associated costs from Haddix.
The fines stem from a previous judgment where Haddix was found guilty of deceiving the court about the supposed death of Tonka, a chimpanzee she had been ordered to surrender.
Deception and Contempt Allegations
Tonka’s case gained national attention after Haddix falsely claimed the chimpanzee had died, only for it to later be discovered that she had kept him hidden in her basement.
This deception led to a significant fallout, including a court order mandating monetary penalties and further legal scrutiny.
Although Jerry Aswegan was served a subpoena in 2023, offering him an opportunity to present his defense in a civil contempt proceeding, he chose not to engage with the court process.
This silence prompted PETA to escalate the matter by subpoenaing four of the couple’s business entities through state court channels.
Daily Fines Imposed and Legal Costs Pending
Judge May’s ruling goes further, directing each of the four implicated companies to pay a daily fine of $100 until all the necessary documents are submitted.
In addition, the court awarded PETA attorney’s fees, with the final amount to be calculated and imposed at a later date.
PETA Responds: Justice for Tonka
Brittany Peet, PETA’s General Counsel, released a strongly worded statement following the judge’s decision:
“Jerry Aswegan stood by as Tonia Haddix brazenly lied to officials that Tonka the chimpanzee was dead, all so she could keep him prisoner in her basement. Aswegan and Haddix are now heading to jail, and PETA will not back down until they have paid every penny they owe, and their days of exploiting animals are over.”
Peet’s remarks underscore PETA’s ongoing mission to hold the couple accountable for their actions and prevent future instances of animal mistreatment and evasion of justice.
The latest development in the legal saga involving Tonia Haddix and Jerry Aswegan highlights the consequences of ignoring court mandates and misleading the judicial system.
As the arrest orders go into effect and daily fines accumulate, the couple now faces increasing legal pressure not only to comply with documentation demands but also to fulfill financial obligations to PETA.
This case serves as a stark reminder that animal exploitation and court defiance carry serious consequences.