Joe Matthew EstesMayes County, OK -
The owner of a Green Country wildlife rescue sanctuary was charged Thursday with sex crimes, including sexual activities with minors.
45-year-old Joe Matthew Estes, also known as "Safari Joe," is accused of engaging in sexual activities with two 16-year-old females between May 2005 and September 2006.
Mayes County Assistant District Attorney Marney Hill told KTUL.com that there is no evidence that Estes engaged in any illegal or inappropriate activities with students at any schools in which he may have given presentations and that these allegations concern activities taking place at his wildlife sanctuary only.
According to Ms. Hill, the two victims did not report the alleged crimes until 2012.
Estes has been charged with five felony counts—one count of rape by instrumentation, two counts of lewd or indecent acts with someone under the age of 16, and two counts of lewd molestation.
Mr. Estes surrendered himself to police on Thursday and was taken to the Mayes County Jail.
His bond was set at $25,000.
His pre-trial conference is set for September 27th.
Ms. Hill told KTUL.com that this is an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to call the Mayes County District Attorney's Office at 918-825-2171.
Safari Joe's is a 200-acre exotic wildlife rescue sanctuary located three miles north of Adair on Highway 69.
The mission of Safari Joe's Wildlife Rescue and Exotic Animal Park is to protect and nurture neglected or injured wildlife unable to return to their natural habitats.
