Myrtle Beach Safari Owner, “Tiger King” Subject, Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges
The owner of a safari tourist attraction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, known for being one of the subjects of the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King,” pleaded guilty to federal charges related to trafficking endangered species.
63-year-old Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, owner and operator of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.), otherwise known as the Myrtle Beach Safari, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, and conspiracy to launder money.
Prosecutors say Antle conspired to violate the Lacey Act by directing the sale or purchase of two cheetah cubs, two lion cubs, two tigers, and one juvenile chimpanzee, all of which are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
In addition, court documents say Antle used bulk cash payments to hide the transactions and falsified paperwork to make it appear the transactions occurred in just one state. He also requested that payments for endangered species be made to his wildlife nonprofit the Rare Species Fund, so they could appear as “donations.”
“The defendant held himself out as a conservationist, yet repeatedly violated laws protecting endangered animals and then tried to cover up those violations,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).
In addition, prosecutors say Antle and a coconspirator conducted financial transactions using cash they believed was obtained from transporting and harboring illegal aliens.
Antle faces up to five years in prison on each count and a fine of up to $250.000.
The investigation was headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“This investigation revealed a pattern of illicit wildlife transactions orchestrated by the defendant under the guise of donations and false paperwork. The Service and our partners will continue to hold accountable those involved in wildlife trafficking and other related crimes to ensure the future of all federally protected species,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Edward Grace.