If you’re a fan of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, then you’ve probably seen plenty of tough, resourceful, and insightful crab boat captains on the hit reality show. One of them was Elliot Neese, who appeared on the show for five seasons before he left the series during Season 11. He departed due to substance addiction issues and admitted himself into a drug treatment program.

After leaving the show, Neese faced more problems in his personal life. He reportedly relapsed after his initial rehab stint. In addition to his ongoing drug abuse struggles, he also faced issues with his baby mama and her violent behavior that resulted in a restraining order. Eventually, the skeletons in his closet piled up until they became too heavy for him to bear.

In 2019, he sold heroin to a confidential informant and was arrested. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and could face up to 40 years in prison. However, he was allowed to keep working on boats as long as he didn’t leave Alaska waterways.

While his legal situation remains murky, it seems that Neese hasn’t lost his passion for crabbing. He’s been documenting some of his crabbing adventures on Instagram, which shows that he hasn’t given up on his career in the sea. It’s unclear if he’ll ever return to the world of reality television, but we hope that he can get his life together so that he can share more of his fishing adventures with fans.