Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, a prominent figure in the hit Netflix documentary series "Tiger King," has pleaded guilty to charges of wildlife trafficking and money laundering, according to federal prosecutors. The owner of an exotic animal safari in South Carolina, Antle gained recognition for his involvement in the show, which shed light on the world of big cat enthusiasts and exotic animal ownership.

Antle, 63, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, admitted to overseeing the illegal sale and purchase of several endangered species between September 2018 and May 2020. The species involved included two cheetah cubs, two lion cubs, two tigers, and one juvenile chimpanzee, all protected under the Endangered Species Act. This violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trafficking of illegally acquired wildlife, led to his guilty plea.

In addition to trafficking wildlife, Antle also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money. Prosecutors revealed that he utilized bulk cash payments to conceal his transactions and falsified paperwork to present the transfers as non-commercial transfers within a single state. He even requested that payments for endangered species be made to his nonprofit organization, disguising them as 'donations.'

Antle's involvement in the Netflix docuseries "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness" showcased his South Carolina safari and the big cats it housed. He is the owner and operator of the Myrtle Beach Safari, known as the Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.), which offers tours and private encounters with wildlife on a 50-acre nature preserve.

The prosecution highlighted that Antle is also the director of a nonprofit registered in South Carolina called the Rare Species Fund. However, the investigation uncovered evidence of money laundering activities that occurred between February 2022 and April of that year. Antle and a co-conspirator reportedly conducted financial transactions with cash they believed to be obtained from transporting and harboring illegal aliens. To mask the illegal nature of the funds, they would deposit the cash into their controlled bank accounts and then write checks to the individuals involved, deducting a 15% fee per transaction.

Despite facing charges related to wildlife trafficking and money laundering, Antle was acquitted in June on five counts of animal cruelty. The jury's decision in that case did not affect the charges he now faces.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim from the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division expressed the importance of prosecuting such cases, stating, "The defendant held himself out as a conservationist, yet repeatedly violated laws protecting endangered animals and then tried to cover up those violations. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to combatting illegal trafficking, which threatens the survival of endangered animals."

Antle's attorneys were not available for immediate comment following his guilty plea. For each count related to wildlife trafficking and money laundering, Antle could face a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, fines up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release, according to prosecutors.