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Wombat-snatching influencer gets suspended jail term for illegal Wyoming hunting

Strable, who received a suspended 180-day jail term alongside her probation, had allegedly used a fraudulent Wyoming residency claim to secure permits for black bears, elk, mountain lions, antelope and fishing.
Strable, who received a suspended 180-day jail term alongside her probation, had allegedly used a fraudulent Wyoming residency claim to secure permits for black bears, elk, mountain lions, antelope and fishing.
Strable, who goes by Sam Jones online, pleaded guilty to hunting without a guide after prosecutors dropped seven further charges including taking a game animal without a licence.
Strable, who goes by Sam Jones online, pleaded guilty to hunting without a guide after prosecutors dropped seven further charges including taking a game animal without a licence.

Samantha Strable, 26, who went viral after stealing a screaming baby wombat from its mother on an Australian roadside, has been handed a suspended 180-day jail sentence by a Wyoming court for hunting without a guide. She appeared via video link at Sublette County Circuit Court on 27 August and also received 12 months' probation and an AU$800 fine after pleading no contest to the charge. Prosecutors dropped seven further charges, including fraud offences and illegally taking a game animal without a licence.

Strable allegedly claimed Wyoming residency to obtain cheaper hunting permits for black bears, elk and mountain lions, despite having spent just one week in the state in 2024.

Her arrest followed an anonymous tip after she allegedly boasted to her 90,000-plus social media followers that she kept purchasing resident tags without actually living in the state.

Her 2025 wombat video drew condemnation from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who called it an 'outrage', making her a global hate figure before her legal troubles mounted.

Moreperthnow.com.auWombat-snatching influencer hit with jail time in USYahoo News UKInfluencer Who Went Viral for Snatching Wombat Sentenced to Jail Time for Hunting License Charge: Reportpeople.comInfluencer Who Went Viral for Snatching Wombat Receives Sentence After Hunting License Charge: Report - People.comnews.com.auInfluencer who angered Australia over baby wombat video handed suspended jail sentence
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