MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (CN) — Bhagavan “Doc” Antle — star of a "Tiger King" spinoff series — pleaded guilty Monday to charges of conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to violate laws on wildlife trafficking into the United States.
Antle founded and owns The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S), an organization founded in South Carolina that operates the Myrtle Beach Safari tour. The wildlife preserve boasts “the worlds largest variety of rare and exotic cats,” including golden tabby tigers, panthers, lions and jaguars. Myrtle Beach Safari provides tours and photo opportunities for guests to hold wildlife cubs, such as tigers and lions.
In December 2021, Antle was featured on a three-part "Tiger King" spinoff titled "Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story." In it, former employees accused him of creating a cult with the Myrtle Beach Safari, expecting all employees to view the preserve as a lifestyle rather than a job.
In a dual investigation between the FBI and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, investigators discovered that between September 2018 and May 2020 Antle organized the sale and/or purchase of two cheetah cubs, two lion cubs, two tigers and a young chimpanzee. Cash payments were used to keep the transactions under the table and Antle falsified paperwork. He also requested that payments be made to his nonprofits so they would 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 Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in a statement. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to combating illegal trafficking, which threatens the survival of endangered animals.”
Antle also laundered money that he believed was from transporting and housing illegal immigrants. He, along with a co-conspirator, would accept cash, deposit it into a bank account that they controlled, and then write the individual a check, minus 15% which they kept.
“Wildlife crime is often connected with other criminal activity, including money laundering," said Assistant Director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.
“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. The service will continue to bring to justice individuals who profit from the illegal trafficking of big cats and endangered species.”
Antle also runs the Rare Species Fund, a South Carolina nonprofit that, according to park employees featured on the "Tiger King" docuseries, funnels money back to Antle. The Rare Species Fund website reports that funding has gone to supporting various programs in South Africa and Thailand.
In October, Antle was banned from owning wild cats in Virginia for the next five years after he was convicted of illegally purchasing two endangered lion cubs. He received a suspended two-year prison sentence and has to pay a $10,000 fine.
For each conspiracy count in South Carolina, Antle faces a maximum of five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Dawson III for the District of South Carolina accepted Antle’s guilty plea, and will sentence Antle after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
“This plea is the product of exemplary collaboration between our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “I commend our team for their work on this case, who worked countless hours to unravel Antle’s sophisticated web of financial crimes and interstate wildlife trafficking. Our office remains committed to protecting endangered animals from those who would exploit them for profit.”
Antle’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.
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