Secure .gov websites use HTTPS He also goes by "Mahamayavi" Antle. Antle has not addressed the show or the allegations, and you wouldnt even know the series existed based on his Instagram. As a young man he also had the opportunity to travel and explore the world and spent a significant amount of time in Asia where he received a doctorate degree in medicine. He wasnt my friend. RSF also works closely with state, federal, and international bodies to develop and support sound wildlife policies and to secure sustained funding for long-term research, education, and conservation initiatives. In October 2020, he was indicted in Virginia on 15 charges of wildlife trafficking and animal cruelty following a months-long investigation into his dealings with private zoo owner Keith Wilson, who Antle sold lions to across state lines. Doc Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari and The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. Today, Doc Antle continues to run his zoo. They (Netflix) just wanted that cult vibe.". Ive always dreamt of going on an African Safari, and someday I hope to make that dream come true. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina, Doc Antle, Owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, and Employee Charged with Federal Money Laundering Crimes, antle-mahamayavi_et_al_complaint_unsealed.pdf, Doc Antle, Owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, and Employee Charged With Federal Money Laundering Crimes. However, the docu-series focuses mostly on Antles personal life. When you pay for a TIGERS tour, proceeds will help support the Rare Species Fund (RSF), which provides support to international conservation programs around the globe. They run that story pretty good. It is the greatest story ever told that didnt happen. ), a world-renowned 50-acre wildlife preserve located in South Ive always dreamt of going on an African Safari, and someday I hope to make that dream come true. Documents indicate Antle and Sawyer laundered the cash by providing checks for construction work at Myrtle Beach Safari, when in reality the checks were used to make it appear that the money was legitimate income. The indictment and a previously-filed federal complaint in the case also allege that over the last several months, Antle and Sawyer laundered more than $500,000 in cash they believed to be the proceeds of an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border into the United States. Doc is very happy to be back at home and care for his animals, thats what its all about.. A spokesperson for the FBI said that it cannot provide information on if the businesses are part of an investigation. Unlike a zoo where all the animals are behind fences and barriers, the animals are brought right next to you, or even into your lap! Two of Antles daughters, Tawny Antle and Tilakam Watterson, were also indicted on misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. 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Its not my M.O., The series also tells tales of Antles hypnotizing ways, drug smuggling and dealing, improper interactions with teenage girls, animal cruelty, running from the police and being a fake doctor in the 1980s, when he was part of what they describe as a cult called Yogaville.. Records show that Antle did donate to some conservation efforts overseas, but the amounts listed do not match up with what was reported in the nonprofits annual reports. We were slightly nervous of claws and teeth, but it was so thrilling to play with these little guys. 2 in charge at his Virginia zoo, Mark Mitra Topping, off a cliff, where he fell to his death. Its all a joke: Myrtle Beach Safari owner gives take on upcoming Tiger King season, Tiger Kings latest docu-series will zoom in on Myrtle Beach Safaris Doc Antle, Who Is Kamie Crawford? According to the complaint, which was unsealed today in a federal courtroom in Florence, Antle is the owner Doc Antles Wives In Tiger King, Maria Tabraue suggested that Doc Antle has three wives: Rajnee, Moksha, and China, who Antle described as his girls on the show. He said in the past he used bulk cash receipts to purchase animals for which he could not use checks. We have a very long road ahead of us. Myrtle Beach Safari owner Mahamayavi Bhagavan Doc Antle. File/Provided Subscribe today! They interviewed enough people that they had all of the information they needed 100 percent. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. But many have asserted that Myrtle Beach Safari and RSF dont live up to their stated goals. RSF projects optimize the prospects for preserving endangered species; for releasing captive animals into suitable, protected habitats; and, for expanding awareness of the ties between humans and the natural world. Antle also claims that the RSF has contributed more than $1 million to wildlife initiatives. Antle and Sawyer were arrested June 3 and are incarcerated at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County. Accommodations are available for up to 20 guests in six rooms. Guests must be participating in an experience at the Myrtle Beach Safari to stay at the Safari Manor. This VIP lodging stay will include airport pickup, transportation to any Safari activities, and VIP tour check-in. This story was originally published December 26, 2021 6:58 AM. ANSWER. Antle faces a slew of other federal charges against him including money laundering. Antle called The Doc Antle Story poorly done, though he thought the original Tiger King was well-done despite being what hes called entertainment and not a true documentary. Please reconsider what you have written about MBS in the light of what you know now. Doc Antle (left) and Omar Sawyer were arrested for money laundering. Antle and Sawyer each face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the charges related to money laundering, and up to five years in federal prison for the charges related to wildlife trafficking. I so would have loved to ride her too, but I imagine there just isnt time for that. Antle was made famous in the hit Netflix series Tiger King. High 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy skies. Made with @triller #triller pic.twitter.com/kYmWO1462M, Made with @triller #triller pic.twitter.com/kFqH6lCd3b. He also rejected the idea that he had created a personal harem for himself with the young female interns at the Safari. as a wildlife preservation organization dedicated to promoting global conservation education through entertaining and interactive programs. Im so glad I heard about Myrtle Beach Safari and the TIGERS experience. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Columbia, SC 29201, Columbia:(803) 929-3000 But they wanted a certain tract just like Tiger King 1. Bhagavan Doc Antle, the owner of Myrtle Beach Safari, appeared in federal court Wednesday in Florence. After meeting Hercules, we were introduced to Ramses, the Cheetah. Ride-along: What does it take to run a Charleston food truck? The photos/video are quite expensive, but its the only way to capture that once-in-a-lifetime experience and share it with your friends and family. Earlier this year Wilson was found guilty of 27 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Now is your chance to see it, Has The Resident Been Renewed For Season 7? Theyre just making up their ideas.. Florence:(843) 665-6688. Per Myrtle Beach Online, most of RSFs money has been spent on animal ambassadors based within Myrtle Beach Safari as in, it appears Antle is using money brought in through his nonprofit to fund his own zoo. The charges are related to lion cubs transported from a Virginia facility, Wilsons Wild Animal Park, to Antles facility in Myrtle Beach, also known as The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.). The claims come on the heels of accusations of animal cruelty against Antle. Doc Antles son, Kody Antle, was introduced in Tiger King. On Dec. 8, he simply posted a video of him smiling with Bubbles the elephant, encouraging people to visit Myrtle Beach Safari to meet this wonderful girl thats been hanging out with me for the past 38 years.. Only those who would take payment for their life stories got to be in the show., He falls off a cliff and dies and they push you for a long time that he was murdered for some reason, Antle said of the docu-series narrative in episode 3, the finale. He is also the founder of the Rare Species Fund (www.RareSpeciesFund.org), a grassroots organization that supports wildlife conservation projects in situ around the globe. Myrtle Beach Safari owner Doc Antle believes season 2 of Netflix docu-series Tiger King will be salacious. Mahamayavi Bhagavan Doc Antle is the founder and director of The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S. The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre wildlife tropical preserve in Myrtle Beach. Sammut is the owner Im a while away from making the trip, so to get something remotely close within the United States is pretty amazing. Over the years, he has more than 35 USDA violations for mistreating animals. Antles Myrtle Beach Safari was searched by the State Law Enforcement Division in December 2019. FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA Bhagavan Mahamayavi Antle a/k/a Doc Antle, 62, and Andrew Jon Sawyer a/k/a Omar Sawyer, 52, both of Myrtle Beach, have been charged in a federal complaint with money laundering crimes involving more than $500,000. We did get to play with the cubs, but the daddies just walked around above our heads, for us to awe over. Low near 55F. While the Fund does not limit its geographic footprint, its support has primarily focused on projects in South America, Africa, and Thailand. Hes also accused of illegally trafficking animals including lemurs, cheetahs and a chimpanzee. A safari can run $339 per person for a three-hour tour of Antles collection of big cats and other animals, while also giving patrons a chance to pet tiger cubs for an additional $100. Hes just a whole other kind of character. Sawyer and Bybee are Antles employees and business associates. The case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. The indictment alleges that Antle, at various times along with Bybee, Sammut, and Clay, illegally trafficked wildlife in violation of federal law, including the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act, and made false records regarding that wildlife. Everyone who told the truth was kicked to the wayside, Antle, owner of Myrtle Beach Safari in Socastee, said of the Netflix docu-series casting. If you really take the time to roll it, the murder is so dang silly, Antle said. Who Is the YouTuber That Pranked Major News Channel With Moaning Noises. Fish and Wildlife Service. The complaint alleges that over the last four months, Antle and Sawyer laundered $505,000 in cash they believed to be the proceeds of an operation to smuggle illegal immigrants across the Mexican border into the United States. Yeah, he was a background guy on a couple of jobs that had 30 or 40 full-time staff. I have no relationship with them. ), in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been charged with laundering more than $500,000. Antle also discussed plans to conceal the cash by inflating the number of visitors to Myrtle Beach Safari. Antle has said he knows Joe Exotic through the industry, but balked at accusations that he had mistreated animals, describing it as sensationalism. Next up was my favorite part and that was getting to feed and hug Bubbles, the elephant! The Myrtle Beach Safari is a 50-acre wildlife tropical preserve in Myrtle Beach. I categorically deny any act or conduct that could ever be considered as animal cruelty, Antle said in a statement, per The New York Times. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Sammut is the owner and operator of Vision Quest Ranch, a for-profit corporation that housed captive exotic species and sold tours and safari experiences to guests. The animal cruelty indictments allege he carried or caused the lions to be carried in a cruel, brutal, or inhumane manner, so as to produce torture or unnecessary suffering.. U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Fish and Wildlife Service. Keith and I had the best time and I just couldnt stop smiling! Official websites use .gov Several of the trainers follow you around, taking photos and video of the entire experience. Today, Doc is widely recognized as one of the foremost animal trainers in the world, having worked with thousands of animals and having traveled the globe promoting the research, education, and conservation of some of our planets rarest and most endangered species. However, Antle had only nice things to say about his friend. nmasuda@postandcourier.com, Myrtle Beach Safari owner claims Netflix's 'Tiger King' exaggerated, denies having a harem, New South Carolina law will make private ownership of wild animals illegal, Facing animal cruelty charges, 'Doc' Antle takes aim at animal extremists' and Tiger King, Oklahoma judge orders 'Tiger King' zoo to turn over big cats, Daughter of 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle arrested after Myrtle Beach traffic stop, 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic resentenced to 21 years in prison, 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle facing up to 20 years in prison on money laundering charges, FBI investigation details 'Tiger King' star Doc Antles alleged money laundering, 'Tiger King' star Doc Antle should be freed over health issues his lawyers plan to argue, Richland Two superintendent resigns after 6-hour closed-door board meeting, Charleston's Carnival ship set sail on a cruise to nowhere, Large town center-type project planned for North Charleston near new I-26 interchange. 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