Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, who featured prominently within the hit docuseries Tiger King, has been convicted in Virginia on 4 felony counts associated to the acquisition and sale of endangered animals.

He’s set to be sentenced on September 14, 2023. He faces as much as 20 years in jail, however stays free on bond pending sentencing.

Antle was accused of illegally shopping for endangered lion cubs for show and revenue at his South Carolina zoo, Legal professional Basic Jason Miyares stated in a information launch. A jury convicted Antle on Friday of two felony counts every of wildlife trafficking and conspiring to wildlife visitors.

Antle appeared in Tiger King: Homicide, Mayhem and Insanity, a Netflix documentary miniseries that centered on tiger breeders.

Past his convictions, Antle was acquitted of 5 counts of animal cruelty, and Decide Alexander Iden dismissed 4 extra animal cruelty fees in opposition to Antle and all fees in opposition to his two grownup daughters, The Winchester Star reported.

Prosecutor Michelle Welch stated Antle’s Myrtle Seaside Safari’s petting zoo motivated the coach to take care of a gentle provide of immature lion cubs. He bought them from Wilson’s Wild Animal Park close to Winchester, calling the association a “cub pipeline” from Virginia to South Carolina.

Antle was indicted in 2020 on a number of offenses, together with felony counts of wildlife trafficking and conspiracy.

Protection lawyer Erin Harrigan known as Antle’s prosecution politically motivated in response to a rising public outcry in opposition to wild animals being exploited for leisure functions.