No bond yet for ‘Tiger King’ star Doc Antle

Quigley said the FBI has learned there may be another “half a million dollars” still on Antle’s property.

He said an informant had told Antle the laundered money was a result of bringing illegal immigrants into the country.

As to the obstruction of justice argument, Quigley said he “couldn’t fathom the amount of evidence that could be placed in an incinerator.”

He said Antle’s access to private planes also concerned the FBI.

Antle’s attorney Andy Moorman told the judge the idea that Antle is a flight risk is “absurd.”

Moorman had Quigley confirm that Antle was arrested without incident.

Quigley said he called Antle from his property’s front entrance and Antle voluntarily came to him and turned himself in.

Moorman said his client is 62 years old, a resident of the area for nearly 30 years and has never been convicted of a crime.

He also questioned why the government had no problem with a bond release for Sawyer and Dallis but insisted on keeping his client in jail.

Dallis was released from jail and Quigley said the government would OK a bond for Sawyer.

As to the transferred funds, Moorman said “there is no evidence that my client was responsible for the withdrawal of funds of the seized accounts.”

Following the hearing, Ryan Beasley, another of Antle’s attorneys, said their arguments clearly showed their client is not a flight risk.

He added that Antle is obviously disappointed in having to stay in jail and that, being 62, it’s not easy on him being in a cell.

Beasley said he hopes the judge’s decision will come down by Friday afternoon.

Other legal issues

Bower, the prosecutor, said she has learned that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be bringing wildlife trafficking charges against Antle within the next 30 days.

If Antle is granted release on these charges, he will be heading to Virginia to face new charges of animal cruelty and trafficking. Bower said Virginia authorities say the charges in South Carolina create a violation of a previous bond agreement there.