Discovering Joshua Tel Warner: The Bank-Robbing Cast Member of Deadliest Catch

Deadliest Catch is a popular reality TV show that chronicles the dangerous lives of fisherman as they brave the treacherous Bering Sea. Season 19 continues to captivate audiences, but it’s not just the icy waters that have generated headlines. Over the years, the show has had its fair share of scandals, including cast members with close associations to serious crimes. One such cast member was Joshua Tel Warner, a crew member who shocked viewers with his involvement in bank robberies.

The Unforgettable Crimes of Joshua Tel Warner

Despite being relatively unknown to current fans, Joshua Tel Warner played a part in Deadliest Catch Season 19. Working on the F/V Wizard, Warner often found himself in confrontations with other crew members. However, it was his dark and criminal history that truly set him apart. Warner had been involved in a series of bank robberies.

Warner’s criminal career began on October 19, 2007, when he successfully robbed the Washington Mutual Bank in Oregon. Initially, the police missed him, allowing Warner to join the cast of Deadliest Catch. However, his robbery spree wasn’t over. On April 3, 2009, he struck again, robbing the Pacific Continental Bank. Shockingly, just three weeks later, he robbed the same bank a second time.

Despite his appearance on Deadliest Catch, Warner’s crimes couldn’t stay hidden for long. Eagle-eyed TV viewers, while watching the series, connected surveillance footage from the banks that local news stations aired to the Discovery Channel promos. The connection was made, and Warner’s fate was sealed.

On December 31, 2009, police pulled Warner over for a routine traffic stop and subsequently arrested him in connection with the bank robberies. He was taken to the Tazewell County Jail on $30,000 bail. Detective Jeff Donaca from the Eugene Police Department remarked during a press conference, “I watched the show too. I don’t think you can end up on national TV, make a spectacle of yourself, and not end up getting caught for three bank robberies.”

In the end, Warner pleaded guilty to the Oregon bank robberies. He was sentenced to nine years in prison and was ordered to repay the amounts of $2,794 and $8,304 for the 2009 robberies.

Crime and Controversy in the Deadliest Catch Series

Joshua Tel Warner is not the only cast member from Deadliest Catch who has faced legal trouble. Former star Jerod Sechrist made headlines by stealing over $1,000 worth of merchandise from an IKEA store, leading to a grand theft charge. Sechrist had multiple run-ins with the law, having been arrested three times in just six months. He also had a previous arrest related to heroin possession.

Drug use has been a pervasive issue among past Deadliest Catch cast members, as confirmed by Captain “Wild” Bill Wichrowski, who admitted that finding reliable and dependable individuals has become increasingly challenging. Several members of the fleet have struggled with addiction problems.

Sig Hansen, a current cast member of Deadliest Catch Season 19, also had a brush with the law. In 2017, he was arrested after spitting on his Uber driver and kicking the car.

Another ex-reality star, Josh Harris, found himself in hot water after it was revealed that he had sexually assaulted a child as a teenager. The Discovery Channel promptly fired Harris upon discovering his admission of guilt. He was charged with one count of Rape of a Child in the First Degree in 1999. Harris confessed to the acts in 2000.

The Discovery Channel issued a statement regarding Harris, stating, “We’ve been made aware of this issue. Josh will not appear in future episodes of this series.”

Seeking Help and Support

• How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
• How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
• How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.

Deadliest Catch Season 19 continues to air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery Channel.

For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s YouTube channel.