Alaska Wildlife Troopers arrested long-time Chilkat Valley resident Steve Kroschel on Monday nearly a year after the state first filed charges against him related to alleged animal cruelty.
Kroschel was arrested at the Juneau airport after contacting local authorities and turning himself in, said Kroschel’s attorney Benjamin Dresner. He was returning from Russia, where he had been living since the summer of 2025.
Kroschel left Alaska shortly after authorities seized dozens of animals from his Haines-area business, the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center.
The raid came after a years-long back and forth between Kroschel and the state over his treatment of the animals, which included wolves and a grizzly bear.
The state later filed charges – including three felonies – alleging Kroschel had inflicted “severe prolonged physical pain or suffering” on animals. Then, in December, the state issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear for a pretrial hearing.
Kroschel is being held at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center, according to a troopers dispatch. His bail is set at $2,500.
“Our immediate focus is obviously trying to get Mr. Kroschel out of custody,” Dresner said in a phone interview. “But at that point, it really just becomes like any other criminal matter.”
Kroschel’s case had been at a standstill up until the arrest. During a virtual hearing in January, a Juneau Superior Court Judge Amy Mead said there would be no trial as long as Kroschel remained overseas.
At the time, Kroschel told KHNS he was working toward securing Russian citizenship and likely wouldn’t return for at least one year.
Kroschel’s next court date is scheduled for Sept 2. Superior Court Judge Amanda Browning said he is not permitted to leave Alaska without court permission, or to care for any animals.
