tiger king Star Bhagavan “Doc” Antle was arrested by the FBI and is anticipated to look in court docket Monday to face federal cash laundering costs, an individual aware of the matter advised The Related Press.
Federal brokers arrested the controversial wildlife coach on Friday and he has been in custody on the J. Reuben Lengthy Detention Heart in Conway, South Carolina all through the weekend.
Antle, the proprietor of the Myrtle Seaside Safari in South Carolina, is featured prominently in Tiger King: Homicide, Mayhem and Insanitya 2020 Netflix documentary miniseries that centered on tiger breeders and personal zoo operators within the US. The collection centered closely on Oklahoma Zoo operator Joe Unique, who was additionally focused. of animal cruelty and was convicted of a plot to kill a rival, Carole Baskin.
Prices in opposition to Antle, 62, have been anticipated to be formally introduced throughout a court docket continuing Monday afternoon in Florence, South Carolina. The costs relate to allegations of cash laundering, an individual aware of the matter advised the AP on Saturday. The particular person was unable to debate the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity.
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PremiumAntle has been accused by animal rights advocates of mistreating lions and different wildlife. He was indicted in Virginia in 2020 on animal cruelty and wildlife trafficking costs.
In Might, Individuals for the Moral Remedy of Animals requested the IRS to research the Uncommon Antle Fund, a nonprofit group that raises cash for wildlife conservation. PETA alleges that it makes use of a few of the cash from the fund to subsidize its safari website in Socastee, simply outdoors Myrtle Seaside.
“It’s becoming that “Doc” Antle is behind bars after years of locking up endangered animals that he makes use of in tawdry picture shoots. Their authorized troubles are mounting as PETA not too long ago uncovered their obvious ‘charity’ rip-off, and the top of their reign of terrorizing tiger cubs can’t come quickly sufficient,” mentioned Debbie Metzler, Affiliate Director of Compliance at PETA. PETA Captive Animal Regulation. division, in an announcement.
In the meantime, in Virginia, Antle faces two felony counts of wildlife trafficking and wildlife trafficking conspiracy, in addition to 13 misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act and cruelty costs. animal associated to the trafficking of lion cubs. These costs are scheduled to go to trial subsequent month.
Antle has a historical past of recorded violations relationship again to 1989, when he was fined by the US Division of Agriculture for abandoning deer and peacocks at his zoo in Virginia. Through the years, he has greater than 35 USDA violations for mistreating animals.