Murrieta Man Charged With Trafficking Jaguar Cub

MURRIETA, CA — A Murrieta man charged with trafficking a jaguar cub is facing a statutory maximum seven-year sentence in federal prison and a $600,000 fine if he's convicted.

Abdul Rahman, a.k.a. “Manny Rahman,” 34, is charged with interstate transportation of an endangered species in the course of commercial activity, trafficking prohibited wildlife species, and trafficking endangered species, according to a federal grand jury indictment handed down Wednesday in Los Angeles.

According to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint in the case, Rahman purchased the male cub in spring 2021 from Trisha Denise Meyer, a.k.a. “Mimi,” 40, of Houston, Texas. The cub’s sale price was approximately $30,000 and the animal was transported — for an additional $1,000 fee — from Texas to California.

Rahman kept the jaguar for one to two months before selling him for $20,000 to another buyer, identified in court documents as “H.G.” The buyer lived in a house with a pregnant partner and later decided to allow the animal to be taken to a rescue center after someone expressed concerns about having a jaguar and a newborn infant in the same house, the affidavit states.

The concerned person — identified in court documents as “R.A.” — later told law enforcement that he and his roommate put the jaguar in a large dog kennel and drove it to an animal rescue center in the San Diego County unincorporated community of Alpine. They dropped off the jaguar at the facility’s entrance after dark on Sept. 17, 2021. The whole thing was captured on security cameras and law enforcement was notified, according to federal investigators.

The jaguar remains at the Alpine animal sanctuary identified as nonprofit Lions Tigers & Bears, which serves abandoned, abused wildlife born in captivity.

According to a Facebook post from the organization, the cub is named Eddie.

"He was bred in captivity by known wildlife traffickers who traveled from hotel room to hotel room to handle him and use him as a photo opportunity. Then he was sold again, this time as a pet. Only a few weeks after being purchased as a pet, Eddie was then abandoned at our sanctuary gates. Eddie is a victim of the exotic animal trade," the post reads.

The cat is "thriving" in the sanctuary, which will be his permanent home, according to the post. The nonprofit is hoping donations will help the facility build-out Eddie's living quarters, which will need to be adapted as the animal grows into adulthood. Donations can be made at www.lionstigersandbears.org.

For her part in the alleged scheme, Meyer is charged in a four-count indictment with interstate transportation of an endangered species in the course of commercial activity, interstate sale of an endangered species, trafficking prohibited wildlife species, and trafficking endangered species. If convicted of all charges, she faces a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison and a $700,000 fine. Local and federal law enforcement agents in Houston are currently searching for her.

Prior to the sale of Eddie to Rahman, Meyer posted Instagram photos and videos of herself with the cub, according to federal investigators.

Rahman will be summonsed to appear in U.S. District Court in Riverside on November 9.

The criminal charges against Meyer and Rahman allege violations of the Endangered Species Act, under which jaguars are protected, and the Lacey Act, which prohibits wildlife trafficking.