The couple were caught in Tennessee when they called out for pizza after about a year on the run, and the call was traced back to where the couple were staying (via New York Post). For her crimes, prosecutors hoped MeIngailis would spend up to three years in jail. She could have spent as many as 15. After her court appearance, MeIngailis became known as the “vegan Bernie Madoff.” In her defense, MeIngailis ascribed her purported offenses to her husband, who was addicted to gambling. “Why would I destroy what I cared about more than anything else?” she said, according to the New York post.

MeIngailis has also claimed that she was pressured by Strangis to commit crime. “He convinced me I’d be empowered in ways I couldn’t imagine,” Melngailis said. “I would have access to unlimited resources so that I could grow my brand all over the world, make the documentary I always wanted to make — the one that would finally change people’s ways and help eradicate factory farming,” she continued, per Stylist.

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