Influencer who snatched baby wombat sentenced to jail for hunting violations
Updated . First published
An American influencer who sparked outrage across Australia when she grabbed a baby wombat has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in the US for hunting violations.
Samantha Strable, 26, appeared in a US court this week facing at least eight charges, including taking an animal without a licence or during a closed season in Wyoming.
US Influencer Sam Jones who took baby wombat from mother in video Facebook
Strable, who is also known as Sam Jones and Samantha Jo online, pleaded guilty to hunting without a guide in violation of the state’s fish and game legislation.
She was sentenced to 180 days in jail, which was immediately suspended, as well as 12 months probation.
She was also ordered to pay $800 in fines and court fees.
Strable’s case was set for trial but her lawyer, Nate Jeppsen, said the influencer wasn’t “intentionally trying to violate” the law and was able to reach an agreement with prosecutors at the last minute.
Prosecutors dropped the seven other charges.
Strable made headlines in Australia in March 2025 when she posted footage of herself picking up a distressed baby wombat and removing it from its mother.
The mother wombat chased Strable, but she faced more serious consequences when the footage went viral and drew the ire of millions of Aussies.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese even responded to Strable’s stunt.
Influencer Samantha Strable went viral after posting a video of her grabbing a wombat in 2025. samstrays_somewhere
“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.”
The 26-year-old influencer later claimed 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.
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