BIG Brothers contestants have gotten into a fair share of legal troubles over the years.
The reality competition show has run for 26 seasons, nearly 900 episodes, and has seen close to 400 houseguests – it should come as no surprise that several contestants have found themselves in legal hot water since exiting, or in one case before even entering, the show.
From Autumn Daly’s recent theft arrest to Jackson Michie’s domestic violence bust, here are Big Brother houseguests who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Last month, Big Brother Season 2 contestant Autumn Daly, 51, was arrested on a theft charge in Lewisville, Texas, TMZ reported.
The former reality TV star was detained because of an outstanding warrant for an alleged 2023 incident on which the police declined to comment.
Police claimed they found Autumn after tracking her car to a local Lewisville retail store she owns called Encore! Encore!
When an officer asked her if she had any warrants, police claimed she confirmed she did.
Autumn told the cop that she was in the process of clearing the warrants but due to none of them being officially vacated, the Big Brother star was arrested.
The TV personality was charged with property theft between $30,000 and $150,000 and was released after posting the $2,500 bond.
In a statement to TMZ, Autumn said, “It’s a retaliation attempt on the part of a former business associate who sued me in civil court and lost. It won’t stick and I’m in the process of suing them for $500,000 as well, so best I don’t say anything further.”
The investigation is still active according to the outlet.
Autumn competed in the second season of Big Brother in 2001, becoming the third person kicked out of the house after three weeks on the reality show.
JACKSON MICHIE
Controversial Big Brother Season 21 winner Jackson Michie, 29, was involved in a domestic violence incident before joining the show, per Distractify.
The details surrounding the arrest are vague, as it was Jackson himself who admitted to being arrested on domestic violence charges.
Live-feed viewers caught Jackson telling fellow houseguest Kat Dunn about the arrest during a brief conversation.
It’s unclear if Jackson faced jail time for the domestic violence charge but since being on Big Brother in 2019, the reality TV star has seemingly turned his life around through his faith.
Big Brother Villains
Big Brother has been beloved by reality TV fans since 2000. The show brings together a group of strangers to live in a house, competing in various challenges. Along the way, villains are introduced.
Here’s a look at some of the most prolific villains:
- Jessie Godderz
- Aaryn Gries
- Mike Malin
- Dick Donato
- Jackson Michie
- Justin Sebik
- Paul Abrahamian
- Rachel Reilly
- Will Kirby
- Dan Gheesling
- Amanda Zuckerman
- Jack Mathews
- Shannon Dragoo
- Chima Simone
- Paulie Calafiore
- Vanessa Rousso
- Jessica Graf
- Danielle Reyes
- Matt Hoffman
ADAM JASINSKI
Big Brother Season 9 winner Adam Jasinski, who made crude remarks about autistic people while inside the house, promised to donate part of his winnings to the Autism foundation he worked for.
On October 19, 2009, Adam was arrested by the DEA for the possession of 2,000 oxycodone pills with the intent to distribute.
After pleading guilty to his charges in October 2010, Adam was sentenced in January 2011 to four years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute and for tax evasion, per The Hollywood Reporter.
He was released in 2015.
MATT MCDONALD
One of Adam’s close friends from Season 9 of Big Brother, Matt McDonald, was also implicated in the drug operation.
Both Matt and Adam were arrested for drug distribution and while Adam would serve four years in federal prison, Matt was only put away for three.
Due to Adam using his large earnings from the show to start the drug ring, authorities perceived that it was originally his plan and Matt was just tied into being a part of it.
In 2010, Matt was also arrested for domestic violence, per TMZ.
According to the Boston PD, cops responded to Matt’s home after his girlfriend showed up at a local police station to file a complaint.
He was charged with assault and battery and assault and battery upon a pregnant person, however, the charges were ultimately dropped.
MIKE ‘BOOGIE’ MALIN
Mike “Boogie” Malin, who competed on Big Brother seasons 2, 7, and 14, was found guilty of stalking his former ally Dr. Will Kirby, in 2022.
The stalking conviction resulted in a two-year probation period.
Two years before, Mike was arrested for a DUI in Las Vegas.
He spent three days in jail for the arrest.
WILLIE HANTZ
Season 14 competitor Willie Hantz was one of the few Big Brother players ever to be expelled from the game.
Just six days after his expulsion, Willie was arrested by the Lafayette City Police Department.
After a “very short pursuit” Willie was apprehended and arrested for an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) charge, per TMZ.
At the time, he refused to take a breathalyzer test to determine if he was over the legal limit.
The former houseguest was later released on a $750 bond.
CHRISTMAS ABBOTT
In 2018, Big Brother contestant Christmas Abbott was arrested for an incident involving another person, as reported by TMZ.
In May 2019, Christmas – who finished third in Season 19 – was sentenced to 12 months probation and 25 hours of community service for a violent altercation.
The incident began with Christmas confronting a woman she knew at a Tampa gym and ended with the houseguest repeatedly ramming her car into the woman’s vehicle in the parking lot.
Christmas was eight months pregnant at the time and ultimately didn’t have to spend any time in jail.
Along with probation, community service, and $1,357.95 in institutions, Christmas was ordered to attend an anger management class.
