Bhagavan "Doc" Antle, the flamboyant big cat breeder made infamous by Netflix's Tiger King, is staring down a possible decade behind bars after being sentenced in South Carolina for wildlife trafficking and money laundering. The quote about buying a monkey with cash—pulled from the case—hints at the shady dealings that landed him in hot water.

Editor’s Note: Antle’s sentencing isn’t just about one eccentric character—it’s a signal that authorities are cracking down on the exploitative exotic animal trade. His case exposes how loosely regulated private zoos and breeders can fuel illegal wildlife trafficking, something conservationists have warned about for years. For fans of the Tiger King saga, it’s a grim but necessary footnote.