Samantha Strable, a 26-year-old influencer, was sentenced to 12 months of probation in Sublette County Circuit Court, Wyoming, after pleading no contest to hunting without a guide. The sentencing occurred on Thursday, approximately 80 miles from Jackson Hole. Strable, who is known online as Sam Jones, also received a suspended 180-day jail sentence and was ordered to pay a fine of $800 AUD ($575.40). Seven additional charges against her were dropped, including allegations of taking an animal without a license and multiple counts of fraud or false swearing.
Strable was arrested on November 21 after the Wyoming Game and Fish Department received an anonymous tip regarding her alleged purchase of resident hunting tags despite not residing in Wyoming for over two years. According to the law, residents lose their status if they live out of state for 180 days. Strable was accused of falsely claiming residency to obtain hunting permits for various animals, including black bears and elk.
During the court proceedings, her lawyer stated that Strable was not intentionally violating state game laws but should have been aware of her responsibilities. Strable contested the claims, asserting that she had spent more time in Wyoming than alleged.
Strable gained notoriety last year after a viral video showed her taking a baby wombat from its mother in Australia, which led to widespread outrage and condemnation, including comments from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Following the backlash, a petition to ban her from Australia received nearly 50,000 signatures. Strable later issued an apology, expressing regret for the distress caused but maintained her intentions were to ensure the animals' safety.