LOS ANGELES – On December 5, 2018, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced that his office has filed multiple criminal counts against a Studio City man for the alleged illegal possession and mistreatment of a tiger cub at his home. The cub was identified after appearing on social media posts and a YouTube video with vlogger Logan Paul.

Nicholas Perkins, 32, was charged with four criminal counts including two counts of illegal possession of a tiger; mistreatment of a tiger, and possession of anabolic steroids. If convicted, Perkins could face up to two years and six months in jail and $4,000 in fines.

“I find this absolutely appalling and am grateful to CDFW wardens who protect wildlife, and in this case, neighboring citizens as well.  A neighborhood is no place for a tiger cub,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.   “Thank you to the person who let CDFW know this was going on.  Alert citizens willing to report things like this are a big help to law enforcement.”

In October 2017, wildlife trafficking wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received an anonymous tip from someone who observed pictures of a model posing with a tiger cub on Instagram. CDFW wardens were able to identify Perkins and the cub through references in the post.  During the investigation, Perkins and the animal’s location were also verified by CDFW wardens after appearing on a video of YouTuber Logan Paul.

Officers served a search warrant at the location on November 9, 2017 and the animal was taken into custody. During the search, there was extensive evidence of the animal’s poor living conditions and the presence of anabolic steroids. The defendant was allegedly feeding the tiger cub kitten milk replacement formula with a baby bottle.

The tiger cub was placed in a large cat rescue and sanctuary facility in north Los Angeles County and has made a full recovery.