24 June 2023 , 09:21
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Doc Antle is the latest star of hit Netflix series Tiger King to face the prospect of jail time.
Antle, whose real name is Bhagavan Antle, featured prominently in the docuseries, with the likes of Carole Baskin continuing to criticise his actions on the show.
And now he has been convicted of four felony counts in Virginia which are related to the buying and selling of endangered animals.
He is set to be sentenced on September 14 and if he is found guilty he could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Currently, he is free on bond pending the sentencing.
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He has been accused of illegally buying endangered lion cubs for display and profit at his South Carolina zoo.
In a news release, Attorney General Jason Miyares explained: "Virginia’s animal cruelty laws are not taken lightly by my office.
Doc was featured on Netflix's Tiger King series (UGC)"I’m proud of my Animal Law Unit for their tireless work and I’m thrilled that the jury not only agreed with us but sent a message that Virginia does not tolerate wildlife animal trafficking."
The investigation is said to have began in 2019 and were led by The Office of the Attorney General's Animal Law Unit.
After a week-long trial this year, they were able to secure the convictions.
Antle was indicted in 2020 on a number of offences, which included felony counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy.
Tiger King star Doc Antle has been convicted with animal cruelty and wildlife trafficking (Netflix)He was also called on multiple misdemeanour counts of animal cruelty at the time as well as conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act. Two of his daughters were also indicted on charges of animal cruelty and violating the Endangered Species Act.
He was acquitted of five counts of animal cruelty, with Judge Alexander Iden also said to have dismissed four additional animal cruelty charges against Antle as well as all charges his two adult daughters faced.
Defense attorney Erin Harrigan called Antle’s prosecution politically motivated in response to a growing public outcry against wild animals being exploited for entertainment purposes.