{"id":314781,"date":"2025-11-28T18:07:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T18:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/314781\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T18:07:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T18:07:15","slug":"us-influencer-who-sparked-outrage-in-australia-over-baby-wombat-stunt-faces-hunting-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/314781\/","title":{"rendered":"US influencer who sparked outrage in Australia over baby wombat stunt faces hunting charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

The American influencer who left Australia<\/a> after sparking backlash for grabbing a baby wombat<\/a> has been slapped with range of charges in the US.<\/p>\n

Samantha Strable, who goes by Sam Jones online, was booked into the Sublette County Jail in Wyoming on November 21 over a string of hunting violations, local media Cowboy State Daily<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old is facing eight misdemeanour charges, including six counts of making false statements, plus taking wildlife without a licence and non-resident hunting without a guide in a wilderness area.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

According to the outlet, Strable allegedly lied about being a Wyoming resident to obtain local hunting licences, even though she had been away from the state long enough to lose her resident hunter status.<\/p>\n

An anonymous tip on August 11 claimed Strable had been buying resident tags despite not living in Wyoming for more than two years, and had even bragged about it online.<\/p>\n

\"InfluencerInfluencer Samantha Strable, or Sam Jones as she\u2019s known online, sparked outrage when she was filmed picking up a wild baby wombat. Credit: Instagram<\/p>\n

She was released the same day on her own recognisance but could face up to a year in jail and more than $US10,000 in fines if convicted.<\/p>\n

Strable sparked outrage in Australia in March after posting a video of herself taking a baby wombat from its mother for a photo opportunity.<\/p>\n

In the video, the influencer runs down a remote road holding the joey as a man laughs off-camera, saying: \u201cLook at the mother, it\u2019s chasing after her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holding the distressed animal up to the camera, Strable says: \u201cI caught a baby wombat. Mumma\u2019s right there, she is p****d, let\u2019s let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The marsupial was eventually released back onto the road.<\/p>\n

\"SamanthaSamantha Strable has been charged over a string of hunting violations. Credit: Facebook<\/p>\n

Australians slammed the stunt, flooding Strable\u2019s social media and calling for her to be banned from entering the country.<\/p>\n

A Change.org petition<\/a> soon followed.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled the footage an \u201coutrage\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage,\u201d Albanese said, describing the marsupials as \u201cgentle, lovely creatures\u201d.<\/p>\n

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said he couldn\u2019t \u201cwait for Australia to see the back of this individual\u201d.<\/p>\n

He later confirmed Strable had left the country on March 14<\/a>, though it remains unclear whether she was deported or departed voluntarily.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia,\u201d Burke said at the time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wombat-snatching influencer blasts Aussies over backlash as she offers excuse for act<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Influencer doubles down on hypocrisy claims after wombat incident<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

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