Joe Exotic, the controversial star of the documentary series 'Tiger King,' has been placed in solitary confinement at his federal prison facility in Texas, his attorney confirmed Tuesday.
Attorney Peter Ticktin disclosed that his client has been held in the Special Housing Unit since last week following disciplinary action related to social media posts shared online on Exotic's behalf. The attorney indicated uncertainty regarding whether a single post triggered the punishment or if the action resulted from accumulated violations.
"The prison decided not to like his posts," Ticktin stated, characterizing the institution's response to the social media activity.
The reality television personality currently remains in isolation, with his legal team expressing hope for his release within 15 days. However, Ticktin acknowledged the absence of guarantees, noting that inmates frequently receive no advance notification regarding their release from the Special Housing Unit. The attorney has been unable to communicate with Exotic since his transfer to solitary confinement.
Despite this setback, Exotic's legal team continues pursuing avenues for overturning his conviction. Ticktin reiterated claims that the conviction lacks merit, asserting it relies on fabricated testimony. The attorney specifically alleged that key witness Allen Glover committed perjury during the proceedings.
"There are a lot of innocent people in the prison system that should not be there. I do say when the shoe fits ... but it doesn't in this case at all," Ticktin stated, defending his client's position.
Regarding Exotic's pursuit of a presidential pardon, Ticktin maintained an optimistic outlook while acknowledging the uncertain timeline. The attorney confirmed that all necessary paperwork has been submitted to the appropriate authorities, though he characterized the process as a waiting game typical of the federal system.
The development represents the latest chapter in Exotic's ongoing legal saga, which gained international attention following the release of the Netflix documentary series that chronicled his operation of a private zoo and subsequent criminal prosecution. His case continues to generate public interest as his legal team pursues multiple strategies for securing his release from federal custody.