Note: This video is from March 31, 2025.

ST. LOUIS – Tonia Haddix, the Missouri woman at the center of the HBO series “Chimp Crazy,” was back in federal court Friday morning after concerns were raised regarding her bond conditions.

55-year-old Haddix pled guilty on March 31 to three felony charges, which include two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. These charges stemmed from Haddix lying under oath about one of her chimpanzees, Tonka, dying so she could keep him.

She was released on her own recognizance with a list of conditions she had to follow, and both the judge and prosecuting attorney Hal Goldsmith emphasized a particular one that stated she could not possess any firearm or weapon in her house.

In court Friday, Judge Stephen Welby said he had been notified of a CO2 rifle used for tranquilizing located in her home during a pre-trial visit. The debate went back and forth between Welby, Goldsmith and defense attorney Justin Gelfand over whether the described rifle goes against the bond conditions. Haddix also joined in, noting to the judge that it was not a rifle but rather a “pump gun.”

Goldsmith argued that during the last hearing, the orders were reiterated, and Tonia said she had nothing in her home, to which Gelfand stated that the tranquilizer had the sole use of shooting darts.

Welby ultimately sided with the defense, adding that as Haddix runs Sunrise Safari, the tranquilizer may be needed if there is concern with the animals being around little kids.

The bond condition was updated to keep the tranquilizer in a barn away from the house and safari, and that only Tonia’s husband as well as safari staff members have access to it.

It’s unclear what will happen to the safari, as Haddix is set to lose her animal welfare license on April 22. It was said during the last hearing that an appeal is in the works.

Haddix is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16.