Topline: Online personality Samantha Strable faces charges for lying about her Wyoming residency to get discounted hunting licenses.
Published: December 10, 2025 10:15 am ET
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Left: Samantha Strable mugshot via Sublette County Sheriff’s Department, Right: screenshot of Strable’s viral Instagram video with baby wombat
PINEDALE, WY — A Montana woman, notorious for grabbing a baby wombat in Australia, was jailed on Nov. 21 facing eight misdemeanor counts after allegedly claiming Wyoming residency to get cheaper hunting licenses.
Samantha Strable, also known as Sam Jones, faces eight misdemeanor counts stemming from what officials say was a scheme to falsely obtain discounted tags.
Strable is charged with six counts of false swearing, one count of taking wildlife without a license, and one count of nonresident hunting without a guide in a wilderness area, court records show.
She was booked into the county jail in Sublette, Wyoming, on Nov. 21 and released later that day on her own recognizance, as per the Cowboy State Daily.
The arrest followed an investigation that began in August, according to the arrest affidavit. Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Jacob Miller said he received a tip about Strable’s fraudulent practices.
The tip alleged that Strable was purchasing resident licenses despite not having resided in Wyoming for more than two years. The tip stated the influencer was bragging about the practice to her 90,000-plus Instagram followers.
Court documents allege Strable falsely declared she lived in Pinedale, Wyoming, to obtain several resident hunting permits. Investigators believe the woman is actually a resident of Great Falls, Montana.
A search of the Game and Fish license database showed Strable started acquiring resident licenses in 2022. At that time she claimed a Wyoming address, the Cowboy State Daily reported.
The charges follow an episode earlier this year where Strable prompted outrage after she filmed herself taking a baby wombat from its mother in Australia. Footage showed Strable grabbing the wombat joey by its front legs from the side of the road and running away as a man filmed her.
The video captured the wombat’s mother chasing after the pair. In the recording, the man filming says, “Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her.” The footage showed the animal visibly terrified as Strable held it up for the camera before she returned it.
The social media figure was widely criticized for her actions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the American for harassing a native animal.
Albanese suggested Strable should attempt her antics with a different animal, stating, “Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”
Following the widespread backlash and calls for her to be banned from Australia, Strable offered an apology on social media, according to the Toronto Sun. She claimed she acted out of concern for the young animal’s welfare, stating that things were “not as they seem.”
Montana-based Strable asserted she was “extremely concerned” when she saw the two wombats on a road not moving. “As wombats are so often hit on Australian roads, I stopped to ensure they got off the road safely and didn’t get hit,” Strable said.
In a written response to the public outrage, she suggested Australians were hypocritical in their treatment of native animals.
Strable also claimed the public reaction had put her life in danger. She stated, “Over holding a wombat, thousands threaten my life.”
She added that those angered by her attempt to help and by the fact that she is a hunter “ought to understand the reality of Australia today.”
Strable later deleted her social media accounts and stayed out of the public eye until the charges in Wyoming were filed.
If found guilty on the misdemeanor charges, Strable could face considerable fines and possible jail time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Wyoming Officials Charge Wombat-Snatching Influencer With Illegal Hunting
Online personality Samantha Strable faces charges for lying about her Wyoming residency to get discounted hunting licenses.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 10, 2025 10:15 am ET
Left: Samantha Strable mugshot via Sublette County Sheriff’s Department, Right: screenshot of Strable’s viral Instagram video with baby wombat
PINEDALE, WY — A Montana woman, notorious for grabbing a baby wombat in Australia, was jailed on Nov. 21 facing eight misdemeanor counts after allegedly claiming Wyoming residency to get cheaper hunting licenses.
Samantha Strable, also known as Sam Jones, faces eight misdemeanor counts stemming from what officials say was a scheme to falsely obtain discounted tags.
Strable is charged with six counts of false swearing, one count of taking wildlife without a license, and one count of nonresident hunting without a guide in a wilderness area, court records show.
She was booked into the county jail in Sublette, Wyoming, on Nov. 21 and released later that day on her own recognizance, as per the Cowboy State Daily.
The arrest followed an investigation that began in August, according to the arrest affidavit. Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Jacob Miller said he received a tip about Strable’s fraudulent practices.
The tip alleged that Strable was purchasing resident licenses despite not having resided in Wyoming for more than two years. The tip stated the influencer was bragging about the practice to her 90,000-plus Instagram followers.
Court documents allege Strable falsely declared she lived in Pinedale, Wyoming, to obtain several resident hunting permits. Investigators believe the woman is actually a resident of Great Falls, Montana.
A search of the Game and Fish license database showed Strable started acquiring resident licenses in 2022. At that time she claimed a Wyoming address, the Cowboy State Daily reported.
The charges follow an episode earlier this year where Strable prompted outrage after she filmed herself taking a baby wombat from its mother in Australia. Footage showed Strable grabbing the wombat joey by its front legs from the side of the road and running away as a man filmed her.
The video captured the wombat’s mother chasing after the pair. In the recording, the man filming says, “Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her.” The footage showed the animal visibly terrified as Strable held it up for the camera before she returned it.
The social media figure was widely criticized for her actions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the American for harassing a native animal.
Albanese suggested Strable should attempt her antics with a different animal, stating, “Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”
Following the widespread backlash and calls for her to be banned from Australia, Strable offered an apology on social media, according to the Toronto Sun. She claimed she acted out of concern for the young animal’s welfare, stating that things were “not as they seem.”
Montana-based Strable asserted she was “extremely concerned” when she saw the two wombats on a road not moving. “As wombats are so often hit on Australian roads, I stopped to ensure they got off the road safely and didn’t get hit,” Strable said.
In a written response to the public outrage, she suggested Australians were hypocritical in their treatment of native animals.
Strable also claimed the public reaction had put her life in danger. She stated, “Over holding a wombat, thousands threaten my life.”
She added that those angered by her attempt to help and by the fact that she is a hunter “ought to understand the reality of Australia today.”
Strable later deleted her social media accounts and stayed out of the public eye until the charges in Wyoming were filed.
If found guilty on the misdemeanor charges, Strable could face considerable fines and possible jail time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Wyoming Officials Charge Wombat-Snatching Influencer With Illegal Hunting
Online personality Samantha Strable faces charges for lying about her Wyoming residency to get discounted hunting licenses.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 10, 2025 10:15 am ET
Left: Samantha Strable mugshot via Sublette County Sheriff’s Department, Right: screenshot of Strable’s viral Instagram video with baby wombat
PINEDALE, WY — A Montana woman, notorious for grabbing a baby wombat in Australia, was jailed on Nov. 21 facing eight misdemeanor counts after allegedly claiming Wyoming residency to get cheaper hunting licenses.
Samantha Strable, also known as Sam Jones, faces eight misdemeanor counts stemming from what officials say was a scheme to falsely obtain discounted tags.
Strable is charged with six counts of false swearing, one count of taking wildlife without a license, and one count of nonresident hunting without a guide in a wilderness area, court records show.
She was booked into the county jail in Sublette, Wyoming, on Nov. 21 and released later that day on her own recognizance, as per the Cowboy State Daily.
The arrest followed an investigation that began in August, according to the arrest affidavit. Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Jacob Miller said he received a tip about Strable’s fraudulent practices.
The tip alleged that Strable was purchasing resident licenses despite not having resided in Wyoming for more than two years. The tip stated the influencer was bragging about the practice to her 90,000-plus Instagram followers.
Court documents allege Strable falsely declared she lived in Pinedale, Wyoming, to obtain several resident hunting permits. Investigators believe the woman is actually a resident of Great Falls, Montana.
A search of the Game and Fish license database showed Strable started acquiring resident licenses in 2022. At that time she claimed a Wyoming address, the Cowboy State Daily reported.
The charges follow an episode earlier this year where Strable prompted outrage after she filmed herself taking a baby wombat from its mother in Australia. Footage showed Strable grabbing the wombat joey by its front legs from the side of the road and running away as a man filmed her.
The video captured the wombat’s mother chasing after the pair. In the recording, the man filming says, “Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her.” The footage showed the animal visibly terrified as Strable held it up for the camera before she returned it.
The social media figure was widely criticized for her actions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the American for harassing a native animal.
Albanese suggested Strable should attempt her antics with a different animal, stating, “Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”
Following the widespread backlash and calls for her to be banned from Australia, Strable offered an apology on social media, according to the Toronto Sun. She claimed she acted out of concern for the young animal’s welfare, stating that things were “not as they seem.”
Montana-based Strable asserted she was “extremely concerned” when she saw the two wombats on a road not moving. “As wombats are so often hit on Australian roads, I stopped to ensure they got off the road safely and didn’t get hit,” Strable said.
In a written response to the public outrage, she suggested Australians were hypocritical in their treatment of native animals.
Strable also claimed the public reaction had put her life in danger. She stated, “Over holding a wombat, thousands threaten my life.”
She added that those angered by her attempt to help and by the fact that she is a hunter “ought to understand the reality of Australia today.”
Strable later deleted her social media accounts and stayed out of the public eye until the charges in Wyoming were filed.
If found guilty on the misdemeanor charges, Strable could face considerable fines and possible jail time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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