Tiger King star Joe Exotic has been transferred to a medical prison in North Carolina weeks after revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis.
The 58-year-old, who is serving a 22-year jail sentence for a murder for hire attempt against animal rights activist Carole Baskin, was flown to a medical facility for inmates last week.
Exotic - whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage - had revealed on social media last month that he was suffering from “an aggressive cancer”.
According to his defence attorney John Phillips, Exotic was transferred by private plane to the facility in Butner, North Carolina, last week.
“Joe informed me that his fears were true. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” Phillips said.
“As noted in Joe’s recent statements, he has been undergoing medical treatment and tests for a host of issues.”
Updates on @joe_exotic - It has been a busy week for Joseph Maldonado. We expect his legal case will be escalating pretty soon. We are aware that federal agents are contacting witnesses. We urge every witness contacted by law enforcement to hire a lawyer. pic.twitter.com/edLxJYYtOU
— John M. Phillips (@JohnPhillips) November 20, 2021
Exotic and his attorney had hoped to be sent to Oklahoma, where he ran his zoo, to receive medical care so he could prepare legal challenges to his conviction, said Mr Phillips.
In January 2020, the Tiger King star was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder-for-hire plot, illegal animal trafficking, and animal abuse.
However, he is awaiting resentencing after a federal appeals court ruled he should get a shorter sentence. It ruled the trial court had erred in applying sentencing guidelines.
His attorney added: “Prison medical care isn’t the best and justice is slow. It’s a competition of life and liberty no one wants any part of.”
The news comes days after the second series of Tiger King began airing on Netflix from November 17.
The five-part second season sees the former G.W. Zoo owner fighting for release via a presidential pardon.
Exotic revealed his cancer diagnosis on social media last month, writing: “Everyone, It is with a sad face that I have to tell you the doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer, I am still waiting on the results from other test as well.”
