Samantha Strable, 26, the American influencer who caused fury across Australia after grabbing a baby wombat, has been sentenced in the US over hunting violations in Wyoming.
This week, Strable appeared in a US court on at least eight charges, including taking an animal without a licence or during a closed season in Wyoming. Strable, who is also known online as Sam Jones and Samantha Jo, pleaded guilty to hunting without a guide in breach of the state’s fish and game legislation.
She received a 180-day jail sentence, but it was suspended immediately. She was also placed on 12 months probation and ordered to pay $800 in fines and court fees. The seven remaining charges were dropped.
Her case had been due to go to trial, but her lawyer, Nate Jeppsen, said the influencer wasn’t “intentionally trying to violate” the law and managed to strike a last-minute agreement with prosecutors.
Strable became a major news story in Australia in March 2025 after uploading video of herself lifting a distressed baby wombat and taking it away from its mother. The mother wombat ran after Strable, and the footage quickly spread online, provoking anger from millions of Australians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among those who condemned the video at the time.
“I would suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals, take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there,” he said at the time.
“Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go then.”
After the backlash, the 26-year-old said she had been attempting to help the wombat cross a road.
“I have learnt from this situation and have realised that I did not handle this situation as best as I should have,” she said in a statement.
She left Australia soon after the scandal erupted.
