A woman who became widely known on the internet earlier this year has been detained after a video surfaced showing her taking a baby wombat away from its mother.
This Montana-based content creator sparked anger among Australians when a video quickly spread across social media.
The 25-year-old, Sam Jones, posted a video of herself laughing as she picked up a baby wombat and ran away with it towards her vehicle, leaving the mother wombat chasing behind.
Tragically, the joey’s mother is seen desperately pursuing her just seconds later.
Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, held the distressed animal up to the camera while smiling and declaring ‘I caught a baby wombat’.
She eventually let the wombat go as it made hissing sounds, indicating its distress.
She remarked: “OK, mom is right there…and she is p**sed. Alright, let’s let him go.”
Her actions did not sit well with the online community, leading many to demand Strable’s arrest, only to find out she had already left the country.
Claiming to be a ‘wildlife biologist and environmental scientist,’ she departed from the country when officials made it known that she was no longer welcome.
However, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office in Pinedale, Wyoming, recently confirmed Strable’s arrest.
They listed individuals arrested between November 17 and November 24, with her name featured amongst them.
The website displayed Strable’s mugshot with a caption stating: “Samantha Strable of Pinedale Wyoming was booked on November 21st for False Swearing x6, taking wildlife without a license and non-resident hunting without a guide.”
State court documents allege that she falsely claimed residency to obtain hunting tags or permits.
Despite her claims of living in Pinedale, the influencer is believed to reside in Great Falls, Montana.
Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Jacob Miller disclosed that her resident hunter status was revoked since she hadn’t lived in Wyoming for the required period.
State law mandates living in Wyoming for a full year before applying for residential hunting licenses, with status revoked if away for over 180 days or upon abandoning residence.
Miller received a tip on August 11, alleging that Strable continued to purchase resident tags despite being absent from the state for more than two years.
Strable could potentially face up to a year in jail and fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for each count she is charged with.