Key Takeaways
- A Facebook post on January 13, 2025, confirmed that Mark and Digger are not under arrest.
- Mark once stated that while they aren’t in handcuffs yet, their future remains uncertain.
- Digger stated that they constantly wonder if each day might bring a raid or arrest.
As of January 2025, no reports are indicating that Mark Ramsey and Eric “Digger” Manes, stars of the Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners,” have been arrested.
While rumours are circulating online about Mark and Digger’s alleged arrest, there is no truth to these claims.
These unverified allegations often arise due to the duo’s portrayal of illegal moonshining activities on the show, which many viewers mistakenly associate with real-life legal troubles.
Moreover, their recent Facebook post on January 13, 2025, confirms that Mark and Digger have not been arrested.
This event, held in collaboration with Sugarlands Distilling Company, further emphasizes their active engagement with the public and ongoing legitimate business ventures.
Since “Moonshiners” first aired in 2011, viewers have often wondered how Mark and Digger manage to avoid getting in trouble while showing their illegal activities on TV.
Mark clarified this in a 2017 interview, saying:
It’s authentic. What we do, we can’t permit ourselves to be found by the law because it is very much against the law.
Via Distractify
This statement reflects the risks they face while navigating the fine line between reality and entertainment.
Mark and Digger have been caught illegally moonshining before in 2022.
One notable incident involved their rented warehouse near a limestone spring, an ideal location for making moonshine.
A loud knock on the metal door startled them, revealing the chief of police and two officers. Feeling trapped and guilty by association, they realized the risks they constantly face.
Digger acknowledged that local law enforcement is sharp and likely aware of their activities, admitting:
We’ve had little brushes with the law many times. We’re a country town but our law enforcement officers are top-shelf. They’re sharp. And they’re country folk, too. They think like we do. So they know what we’re doing. They know who we are. I’m certain we’re being watched.
Via Distractify
Despite these encounters, the duo has managed to avoid significant legal repercussions.
Their resilience comes from their determination to continue their craft, as Mark once said:
We’re not in handcuffs right this second but honestly, we don’t know at this point what our future holds
Via Distractify
However, they remain aware of the risks, including the possibility of a raid or arrest at any time.
Digger and Mark collaborate with Sugarlands Distilling Company, a legal enterprise in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which showcases their involvement in legitimate moonshine production.
This affiliation adds intrigue by blurring the lines between their legal business and the illegal moonshining dramatized on the show.
While Moonshiners portrays illicit activities, much of it is crafted for entertainment purposes.
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has clarified that they would act if any genuine illegal activity were taking place.
While Mark and Digger’s association with Sugarlands offers some protection, they acknowledge the unpredictable nature of their work.
Digger summed up their ongoing uncertainty, saying:
As for law enforcement, we don’t know where we stand. We wonder every day if this is the day they’re going to knock on our door.
Via Distractify
For now, they continue their journey, navigating the fine balance between their passion and the risks of being arrested that come with it.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mark Ramsey was born on February 22, 1950, in Cocke County, Tennessee, while Eric Digger was born on February 11, 1964, in Tennessee.
- Mark married Sally Jane Clark, while Eric also married but chose not to publicize his wife’s identity.
