A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Antle was arrested by the FBI and would appear in court on Monday.
The controversial wild animal trainer was arrested by federal agents on Friday and has been in custody in South Carolina ever since.
The series focused on tiger breeders and private zoo operators in the US
The charges against Antle were expected to be announced during a court proceeding on Monday. A person familiar with the matter told the AP on Saturday that the charges were related to allegations of money-laundering. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Animals have been accused of being mistreated by Antle. He was indicted in Virginia in 2020.
The IRS was asked to investigate Antle's Rare Species Fund by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He uses some of the fund's money to subsidize his site in Socastee, according to the animal rights group.
After years of locking up the animals he used in tawdry photo ops, "Doc" Antle is behind bars. The end to his reign of terror can't come soon enough as his legal troubles are mounting.
In Virginia, Antle is facing two felony counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy to wildlife trafficking charges, as well as 13 misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act. Next month, those charges will be tried.
In 1989 Antle was fined by the USDA for abandoning deer and peacocks at his zoo in Virginia. He has been found guilty of mistreating animals over the years.
That's right.
Michael Balsamo is a writer for the Associated Press.
The edits add photos. Corrects reference to a division of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. There are AP photos.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
