Two Central Arkansas men, Keidrick Damond Usifo and Deon Johnson, were sentenced by a federal judge for charges related to keeping a tiger cub as a pet. Usifo was sentenced to five years’ probation and a $5,000 fine while Johnson was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine. The Big Cat Public Safety Act, enacted by President Joe Biden in 2022, makes it illegal to privately possess or breed big cats. Usifo purchased the tiger cub in Dallas and authorities were alerted to its presence when complaints were made about seeing the cub in a residential area of Conway. Usifo was arrested and evidence of the tiger’s presence was found in his residence. While in jail, Usifo contacted Johnson who fed the tiger cub and denied knowledge of its existence. The tiger now resides at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue in Eureka Springs. The incident, partly inspired by the Netflix documentary Tiger King, highlights the illegal trade of exotic animals and the consequences for those involved. Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman opposed the legislation, calling it an overreach. The official story reads like a movie plot, with the outcome resulting in fines, probation, and the tiger being rescued and relocated to a safe environment.
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