GRANT PARISH, La. — John “Gabe” Ligon, the owner of Magnolia Wilds wildlife preserve, was arrested in Texas weeks after announcing plans to sell his Ethel-based attraction, according to law enforcement officials.
Ligon, 34, was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on Jan. 23 as a fugitive and is facing felony theft charges stemming from an alleged failed business deal with another Louisiana zoo. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain said Ligon had an active warrant for theft exceeding $25,000 and was taken into custody by Tarrant County sheriff’s deputies at a Texas airport.
According to McCain, Ligon entered into an agreement to supply exotic animals and perform work at Gone Wild Safari, a petting zoo in Grant Parish, in exchange for $130,000. The zoo’s owner reported in August that Ligon allegedly failed to deliver on the agreement and still owed $93,200.
The arrest comes less than a month after Ligon, a Clinton native, announced he was selling Magnolia Wilds after 14 years in operation. Formerly known as Barn Hill Preserve, the property was listed for sale on Facebook earlier this month. Ligon said the sale included the 100-acre property, more than 75 animal species, equipment, vehicles, and the preserve’s branding and social media accounts.
Sheriff McCain said Ligon waived his extradition hearing, and Grant Parish authorities plan to transport him back to Louisiana once road conditions improve.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Ligon is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
