An exotic wildlife preserve owner, prominently featured in the Netflix series "Tiger King," has pleaded guilty to charges of animal trafficking and money laundering, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, 63, known for his controversial role in the documentary series, was involved in the illegal sale or purchase of cheetah cubs, lion cubs, tigers, and a juvenile chimpanzee, all of which are protected as endangered species.

The Justice Department released a statement revealing that Antle attempted to disguise animal payments as "donations" to his nonprofit organization, despite presenting himself as a conservationist. Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim from the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division expressed disappointment, stating that Antle had repeatedly violated laws designed to protect endangered animals and then attempted to conceal those violations.

As a consequence of his guilty plea, Antle could face a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment, along with fines up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release for each count. Antle currently operates the Myrtle Beach Safari in South Carolina and is the founder of the Rare Species Fund, a nonprofit registered in the state.

Earlier this year, Antle faced charges of animal cruelty, but a jury acquitted him of five counts while four more were dismissed by the judge in the case. Additionally, all charges against Antle's two adult daughters were dropped.

The fallout from the hit Netflix series "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness" continues. Joe Exotic, the show's central figure, is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for his involvement in an alleged murder-for-hire plot against animal welfare activist Carol Baskin. The ongoing feud between Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, and Baskin played a significant role in the show's narrative. Last year, Maldonado-Passage had one year shaved off his sentence due to his early-stage cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

The guilty plea by 'Doc' Antle serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those involved in wildlife trafficking and the illegal trade of endangered species. The U.S. Justice Department's continued efforts to prosecute individuals engaged in such activities illustrate their commitment to combating this global issue.

As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen what impact the convictions in the "Tiger King" saga will have on the broader issue of wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species.