The American influencer who sparked outrage in Australia by grabbing a baby wombat from its mother has been charged with multiple hunting violations in the United States. Samantha Strable, known online as Sam Jones, was booked into the Sublette County Jail in Wyoming on November 21.
Strable faces eight misdemeanour charges, including six counts of making false statements, taking wildlife without a licence, and non-resident hunting without a guide in a wilderness area. According to local media, she allegedly lied about being a Wyoming resident to obtain local hunting licences, despite having been away from the state for over two years.
An anonymous tip on August 11 claimed Strable had been buying resident tags despite not living in Wyoming for more than two years and had bragged about it online. She was released on her own recognisance but could face up to a year in jail and more than $US10,000 in fines if convicted.
Strable sparked backlash in Australia in March after posting a video of herself taking a baby wombat from its mother for a photo. In the footage, she runs down a remote road holding the joey as a man laughs off-camera. Australians condemned the stunt, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an “outrage”. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed Strable left Australia on March 14, though it remains unclear if she was deported or left voluntarily.
