A former reality television cowboy is facing prison time after an Oklahoma rent dispute turned violent, leaving his elderly landlord with injuries described as “severe, debilitating and permanent.”
Ethan Treadwell, 43, known for appearing on “Ultimate Cowboy Showdown,” was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years behind bars, with 15 years suspended, in connection with the January 2024 assault of 74-year-old William “Junior” Hicks, People reported.
The case traces back to an eviction notice Hicks issued in December 2023, after Treadwell had leased land from him in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, for seven years, according to a civil lawsuit Hicks later brought against him.
In the lawsuit, Hicks alleged that Treadwell had agreed to vacate the southwest Oklahoma property and had stopped paying rent, yet continued to keep cattle grazing on the land.
On Jan. 30, 2024, Hicks said he was on his way home when he saw Treadwell removing cattle from the property. Hicks confronted him and insisted the cattle remain until the outstanding rent was paid.
According to Hicks, the encounter escalated when Treadwell attacked him “without provocation,” beating him until he lost consciousness.
Treadwell’s former wife, who was present during the incident, told investigators that he knocked Hicks down and kicked him repeatedly, according to KBTX.
Hicks sustained traumatic brain injuries and a broken nose, and his condition was serious enough that he was placed on a ventilator for a period of time.
In his lawsuit, he described his injuries as “severe, debilitating and permanent,” People reported.
Treadwell originally faced aggravated assault and battery charges but entered a blind guilty plea to a reduced maiming charge.
The civil case was dismissed in 2025 while the criminal proceedings against Treadwell were pending, court records show.
Treadwell apologized to Hicks in court Tuesday, saying he wished the events had never happened, according to KBTX.
Hicks’ daughter told the court about her father’s injuries and recovery, while former Tillman County Undersheriff Gary Sanders spoke on Treadwell’s behalf and the judge received several character statements supporting him.
Treadwell appeared on the first season of “Ultimate Cowboy Showdown,” the reality competition hosted by country star Trace Adkins.
Contestants competed in cowboy skills, including cattle herding, lassoing and horsemanship for a chance to win a herd of cattle worth $50,000.
Treadwell made it to the final three in the first season before being eliminated after a “grueling” three-mile herding challenge.
He later returned for the show’s fourth season as an all-star.
One judge described Treadwell as “a little abrasive at times.”
Treadwell has a restitution hearing scheduled for October and has 10 days to appeal his sentence.
