TEEN Mom star Ryan Edwards has been drug-free for over a year and has had no probation violations, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal after a court hearing.
Ryan, 36, appeared in Hamilton County General Sessions Court in Tennessee on Tuesday, April 23, for possession of a controlled substance, simple possession, and driving under the influence charges.
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal Judge Gary Starnes praised Ryan in court.
Judge Starnes said, “We’re here for a follow-up to see how you’re doing. I don’t see any probation violations. You have been drug-free for over a year. That’s an accomplishment. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
Ryan’s lawyer then handed over paperwork for his counseling from CADAS rehab.
Judge Starnes said, “I want you to stay with CADAS. I know there hasn’t been any problems.”
He then revealed Ryan has a new job working with car engines.
Judge Starnes continued, “Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re coming a long way, very well done. I know you’re happy.”
District Attorney Coty Wamp said, “Well done from the state.”
Ryan will be back in court on November 18.
GOOD DAY
Ryan arrived at court in good spirits with his girlfriend, Amanda Conner.
Ryan wore a purple polo shirt with black dress pants for the hearing.
The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star sported a black eye and a cut on his arm, likely from a recent ATV accident.
His mother Jen and his aunt joined them moments later, as she sat with Amanda while Ryan spoke to his lawyer.
While in the courtroom, Amanda sat next to Jen, as the two chatted before the hearing began.
PAST TROUBLE
In December 2023, Ryan was arrested during a December 5 court hearing after he was accused of failing to follow the terms of his plea deal.
District Attorney Wamp demanded he undergo a drug test, and Ryan arrived back in court from Silverdale Detention Center on December 8 to get the results.
Despite passing, Judge Gary Starnes still gave Ryan over a month in jail for not following the terms of his probation.
District Attorney Wamp said during the hearing:
“We have a passed drug screen. The state is surprised. The state believes Mr. Edwards doesn’t want to take his probation seriously. It’s good he passed a drug screen.
“He needs the Vivitrol shot. He was a couple of weeks late on it. My request would be we monitor his progress and ask the court to submit the report on his progress, including his AA meetings.
“All of that should be simple for someone on a rehabilitation track to do well and doesn’t want to go to jail for years.”
“I don’t know how many more opportunities Mr. Edwards is entitled to. He has failed to do what he’s supposed to,” Judge Starnes continued.
“He’s been revoked and put in jail for almost three months. He’s had violations at Oasis and CADAS, but they didn’t kick him out.
“How many more chances does Mr. Edwards think he’s going to get? What do you think when he doesn’t follow the program? He has gotten so many chances and every single time he got an opportunity to do things he should’ve been doing. Now he’s back again.
“Here we are. He was in an altercation at a bar, he was dragged out. His decision-making throughout his, he has not improved at all.”
Judge Starnes was referring to The U.S. Sun’s exclusive video of Ryan being kicked out of a Tennessee bar.
Ryan and his girlfriend Amanda Conner went to Westbound Honky-Tonk in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Saturday, November 25.
In the video, Ryan could be seen being dragged out of the bar by bouncers, as he is seen yelling while being shoved out at around 10:30 pm.
Amanda was also hauled out by security in the video.
Ryan’s lawyer responded at the hearing, “Mr. Edwards doesn’t feel entitled… when someone has a drug problem, stopping that is a battle.
“Based on his latest screen, that shows progress, that shows he’s trying. Is he doing everything ordered? No sir. But I think he’s going to try.”
Judge Starnes fired back, “He’s been drug tested several times in custody, in CADAS and Oasis, he’s negative. As far as his addiction, it’s successful. He’s not willing to do anything he’s told. He’s not blaming it on addiction today.”
Judge Starnes sentenced Ryan to prison until January 17.
He was released early on December 23.
Ryan was originally sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in Silverdale Detention Center in April 2023 for the possession of a controlled substance, simple possession, and driving under the influence charges.
He was released to rehab in July and to a halfway house in August, where he met his girlfriend Amanda.
RYAN’S PAST ARRESTS
Ryan has been in and out of jail since early 2023 on drug, harassment, and other charges.
He was arrested on February 10, 2023, at his job for harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and order of protection violation.
He was then arrested for aggravated stalking.
He violated a protection order on March 1 after authorities issued two warrants for his arrest on February 23.
Ryan pleaded guilty to the harassment charge at a court hearing, The Ashley’s Reality Roundup reported.
The MTV star was ordered to complete rehab treatment and have no contact with the victim, as he was put on probation for 11 months and 29 days.
The possession of drug paraphernalia, stalking, and order of protection violation charges were dismissed.
As for his possession of a controlled substance, he was sentenced to rehab with the option of the time being reduced for good behavior after six months.
He was then arrested on April 7 for possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence arrest, which are the same charges as his current court case, after the Teen Mom OG alum was found unconscious in the driver’s seat of his truck.
OUT OF TROUBLE
Ryan has managed to stay out of legal trouble since his release, as he has had a good relationship with his baby mama Maci Bookout, and their son Bentley, 15.
They even took a family photo together with Maci’s husband Taylor McKinney and Ryan’s girlfriend Amanda on Easter.
Ryan and Amanda have even moved in together, as they have been seen riding their motorcycles and fishing.
EX-WIFE DRAMA
But Ryan has had drama with his estranged wife Mackenzie Edwards, who he shares children Jagger, 5, and Stella, 4, with.
Mackenzie, 28, filed for divorce from Ryan on February 28, 2023, after getting married in 2017.
The divorce was dismissed on February 19, 2024, because there were no filings in the case for 270 days.
The U.S. Sun then reported Ryan filed his own divorce case against Mackenzie on March 6.
Ryan requested to be the “designated the primary residential parent” of their two children and “that child support be assigned from [Mackenzie’s] income.”
Mackenzie, who has a son from a previous marriage, has not responded to the divorce filing yet.
The U.S. Sun also reported Mackenzie filed an order of protection against Ryan on March 28, 2023.
The order asked Ryan to have no contact and stay away from her.
She also requested she be granted temporary custody of her children, and for Ryan to pay child support, spousal support, and all court fees.
Mackenzie asked Ryan to join a counseling and substance abuse program.
In the order of protection request, she noted an incident previously covered by The U.S. Sun that occurred on January 31, 2024.
She wrote in the filing, “Ryan came to [the] residence at 9 pm to look for a cable after being told no. He then texted after the police left and said that ‘no one would survive anything because you can’t act grown.'”
She claimed he “called my phone and said that his girlfriend would be off of supervised probation and I have it coming, so what am I going to do about it.”
She then mentioned another incident that allegedly happened on March 28.
Mackenzie claimed Ryan “called my phone and texted today saying when this [divorce] is over with his girlfriend would handle me.”
“[Ryan] texted me from another number saying that if I didn’t sign divorce papers he would blackmail me and get me fired,” she claimed.
A hearing took place on April 8, 2024, and the parties agreed to a mutual restraining order.
