LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Two Arkansas men have pleaded guilty in connection to violations of the Big Cat Public Safety Act after the purchase and transport of a tiger cub in 2023.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas announced the pleas in a release on Oct. 22.
According to the release, 30-year-old Keidrick Usifo of Conway and 28-year-old Deon Johnson of Little Rock were first indicted on March 5, 2024.
Investigators found that Usifo had purchased and transported a tiger cub from a broker in Dallas around March 16-18, 2023, the release said. Just weeks later, on April 7, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that there were tiger cub sightings in a residential neighborhood in Conway.
Additionally, AGFC received an anonymous tip about a tiger cub for sale in Conway, the release said. After a second complaint was made about a tiger at someone's home, a traffic stop was conducted on April 21 and Usifo was arrested.
"The Conway Police Department executed a search warrant at Usifo’s residence and although they did not locate the tiger, there was evidence in the residence indicating the presence of a tiger, as well as matching rooms from Usifo’s Instagram posts," the release said.
Usifo was charged with violating the Big Cat Public Safety Act.
The release explained that while in the Pulaski County Detention Facility, Usifo made several calls to Johnson. Investigators found that Johnson knew of Usifo's travel to Dallas and his possession of the tiger, even feeding it during Usifo's incarceration.
The two men are now awaiting sentencing.
When questioned, Johnson concealed knowledge of the tiger and was charged with misprision of a felony, which is punishable by no more than three years of prison time or a fine of no more than $250,000, the release said.
The attorney's office said that a violation of the Big Cat Public Safety Act is punishable by no more than five years of prison time or a fine not exceeding $10,000.
About the Big Cat Public Safety Act
The Big Cat Public Safety Act was enacted on Dec. 20, 2022, and seeks to end private ownership of big cats as pets.
The law prohibits exhibitors from allowing public contact with big cats and restricts the commerce, breeding, possession and use of big cats, according to the Department of Justice.
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