Joe Exotic, star of “Tiger King,” has been placed in isolation in prison after being diagnosed with a contagious condition. Despite previously making headlines for announcing plans to marry John Graham in 2022, Exotic is now back in the news due to health concerns.
For those unfamiliar, Exotic is serving a 21-year sentence after being convicted in 2020 for attempting to hire someone to k!ll Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin, as well as wildlife v!olations. His sentence was reduced by one year in 2022, prompting him to plea, “Please don’t make me die in prison waiting for a chance to be free.”
Recently, Exotic’s legal team informed The Dallas Morning News that he has been isolated after contracting a highly contagious skin condition, identified by the Mayo Clinic as scabies, which involves mites burrowing under the skin. Exotic, 61, is currently housed at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, where an outbreak of scabies has been confirmed. In response, visitation has been temporarily suspended for his housing unit to prevent further spread.
The prison has emphasized its commitment to managing such health issues and ensuring safety. However, Exotic’s lawyer, Roger Roots, claimed that his client has endured a rash and severe itching for over six weeks, and mentioned concerns about unsanitary conditions in the facility, including rats in beds, though the prison has denied these claims. UNILAD has reached out to the prison for further comment.
Despite his diagnosis, Exotic remains hopeful about his potential release next year and is considering pursuing academic studies. He also recently shared his frustrations with the justice system in an interview with Radar Online, drawing comparisons between his case and the possible release of the Menendez brothers. Exotic criticized the influence of politics in federal judicial appointments, stating, “The system is already broken, it’s not fair.”