ST. LOUIS - The infamous Missouri chimpanzee owner, Tonia Haddix, was sentenced to 46 months behind bars Thursday afternoon.

The 55-year-old pleaded guilty in March to two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. The charges stemmed from lying under oath regarding the faked death of a chimpanzee in 2021.

Haddix was formally sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on Thursday afternoon.

A defense attorney reportedly asked for one year, one day, portraying her offenses as non-violent and rooted in emotional bonds with animals. However, the prosecution argued for "significant time." An advisory guideline based on an offense level and criminal history had recommended 24-30 months in prison.

The sentencing comes weeks after officials discovered an unregistered chimpanzee

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