From Crab Pots to Crime: The Bizarre Tale of Joshua Tel Warner and Deadliest Catch

In the vast, storm-lashed waters of the Bering Sea, the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch has captivated millions with its real-life tales of danger, survival, and camaraderie. Since its premiere in 2005, the show has followed the high-stakes world of Alaskan crab fishing, offering viewers a gritty look at one of the most perilous professions on Earth. But among its sea-hardened cast, one man stood out—not for his skill, but for a secret criminal past that would eventually turn national curiosity into scandal.

The Harsh Reality of the Deadliest Catch

Deadliest Catch isn’t just another reality show—it’s a brutal testament to human endurance. Unlike traditional fishing, crab fishing in Alaska is performed using massive steel cages called crab pots, which are dropped into freezing waters to haul up king and opilio crabs. The conditions are extreme: towering waves, sub-zero temperatures, and relentless storms batter the vessels and their crews. Injuries, equipment failures, and even death are common.

Some of the most memorable tragedies from the series include the 2010 death of Captain Phil Harris from the Cornelia Marie, and the loss of all six crew members aboard the FV Destination in 2017, after it sank under the weight of an overloaded haul. These stories, as heartbreaking as they are, have become part of the show’s raw appeal.

Captain Keith Colburn and the FV Wizard

One of the standout vessels in Deadliest Catch is the FV Wizard, captained by industry veteran Keith Colburn. A Nevada native, Colburn traded his life of low-paying jobs for the treacherous adventure of crab fishing in Kodiak, Alaska. With a fierce work ethic and years of experience, he eventually rose to captain the Wizard and later became its owner, helping shape it into a staple of the series. Alongside his wife Florence and brother Monty Colburn (relief captain), Keith built a reputation as a dedicated leader and seasoned seafarer.

Enter Joshua Tel Warner: The Greenhorn with a Secret

In 2009, a new face joined the FV Wizard for Season 5: Joshua Tel Warner, labeled as a “greenhorn”—a term for an inexperienced crew member. Despite his lack of experience, Warner quickly found himself in the limelight, appearing in nine episodes and even featuring in the spin-off film Deadliest Catch: Greenhorns (2011).

But beneath the surface, Warner was hiding a shocking secret. Unbeknownst to the show’s producers and crewmates, he was a fugitive from justice, wanted for robbing a Washington Mutual Bank in Oregon in October 2008. Warner, remaining unidentified at the time, had evaded arrest and blended into his new TV role, using national exposure as a bizarre form of camouflage.

Criminal Career Catches Up

After his stint on the Deadliest Catch, Warner became emboldened. In April 2009, he robbed two more banks in Eugene, Oregon—Pacific Continental Bank—just weeks apart. His face was still fresh on TV screens, and he seemed to believe fame had rendered him untouchable.

That illusion was shattered on December 31, 2009, when Warner was stopped by police in a routine traffic check and identified as the suspect in all three robberies. Detective Jeff Donaca of the Eugene Police Department remarked, “I watched the show too. I didn’t think you could end up on national TV, make a spectacle of yourself, and not end up getting caught for three bank robberies.”

In 2010, Warner was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison, while his accomplice, Garrett Wade Rice, received 34 months. Warner also owed over $11,000 in restitution to the state. After his sentencing, Warner disappeared from public view. As of early 2023, he is believed to be out of prison, possibly living under a new identity. Given the public nature of his past and the embarrassment it caused the show’s producers, it is highly unlikely he will ever return to television.

A Strange Legacy

Joshua Tel Warner’s story is a surreal collision of two worlds—reality television and real-world crime. His brief stint on Deadliest Catch serves as a cautionary tale of how fame can be fleeting, and how secrets have a way of rising to the surface—much like the deadly waves that crash over the decks of Alaska’s crab fishing vessels.

In a show built on danger and unpredictability, perhaps Warner was the most unexpected twist of all.