Conway, Arkansas – Two Arkansas residents have been sentenced for their involvement in the illegal possession and concealment of a tiger cub, violating the Big Cat Public Safety Act. United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr. handed down the sentences on March 6, 2025, following an investigation into the unauthorized purchase and transportation of the big cat.
Probation and Fines for Violating Big Cat Law
Keidrick Damond Usifo, 30, of Conway, Arkansas, received a sentence of five years’ probation and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. His co-defendant, 29-year-old Deon Johnson of Little Rock, Arkansas, was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and fined $1,000. Both men had been indicted by a federal grand jury on March 5, 2024. Usifo faced a charge of violating the Big Cat Public Safety Act, while Johnson was charged with misprision of a felony for actively concealing Usifo’s crime. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges against them on October 22, 2024.
Investigation Uncovers Illegal Tiger Possession
The case unfolded in March 2023 when Usifo arranged to purchase a tiger cub from a broker in Dallas, Texas. Shortly after, reports of a tiger sighting in a Conway neighborhood surfaced, prompting the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) to launch an investigation. On April 7, 2023, AGFC received a formal complaint about the cub’s presence in a residential area. Days later, an anonymous tip surfaced online, claiming that a tiger cub was available for sale in Conway.
By April 17, 2023, AGFC officials had been informed that a man in Conway was keeping a tiger in his backyard. A second complaint about the animal’s presence was filed two days later. On April 21, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and arrested Usifo on an unrelated felony warrant. When Conway Police executed a search warrant at his home, the tiger was not found, but investigators uncovered strong evidence that the cub had been housed there. Photos on Usifo’s Instagram account also depicted the cub in rooms identical to those in his residence.
Concealment of the Crime
While detained at the Pulaski County Detention Facility, Usifo made several phone calls to Johnson, revealing Johnson’s involvement in the crime. Investigators learned that Johnson knew in advance about Usifo’s plan to travel to Dallas to acquire the tiger. Johnson had also taken responsibility for feeding the cub while Usifo was incarcerated. However, when questioned by federal agents, Johnson withheld information and denied any knowledge of the tiger’s existence.
Federal Law Protecting Big Cats
The Big Cat Public Safety Act, enacted on December 20, 2022, was designed to prevent private individuals from owning or breeding big cats like tigers and lions. It also bans public interaction with these animals, including cub-petting exhibitions. The law aims to curb illegal trafficking and ensure better protection for both the public and the animals. Individuals who owned big cats before the law took effect were required to register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The sentences imposed on Usifo and Johnson reflect the seriousness of illegally acquiring and attempting to conceal the presence of a dangerous animal. The case serves as a reminder of the strict federal regulations in place to prevent private ownership of big cats and the consequences for those who attempt to bypass the law.
