A tiger breeder who goes by the name of 'Joe Exotic' is facing trial for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill the operator of a Florida-based animal sanctuary.

Key points: Joseph Maldonado-Passage was indicted in September for allegedly paying $US3,000 to have the woman killed

Joseph Maldonado-Passage was indicted in September for allegedly paying $US3,000 to have the woman killed Prosecutors allege he met with an undercover FBI agent to discuss details of the hit

Prosecutors allege he met with an undercover FBI agent to discuss details of the hit The flamboyant, gun-toting figure previously appeared in a Louis Theroux documentary on America's Most Dangerous Pets

Joseph Maldonado-Passage, a former owner of a roadside zoo in Oklahoma, was indicted in September for allegedly paying someone $US3,000 to kill the woman.

He allegedly agreed to pay thousands more after the hit was carried out.

The indictment also stated Maldonado-Passage allegedly asked a second person if they could find someone to murder the woman for money.

One of the people he spoke to put him in contact with an undercover FBI agent, with whom Maldonado-Passage met to discuss details of the hit.

Maldonado-Passage has pleaded not guilty. According to the Justice Department, he faces 20 years in jail and a possible $US500,000 fine.

A flamboyant, gun-toting figure with a bleached-blond mullet, Maldonado-Passage appeared in a Louis Theroux documentary on America's Most Dangerous Pets, where he showcased some of his lions and tigers, spoke about his breeding program and warned the documentary maker of his pets' dangers.

Youtube "Joe Exotic" on Louis Theroux's Dangerous Pets

He ran unsuccessfully for Oklahoma governor last year as a Libertarian candidate and appeared on John Oliver's Last Week Tonight when he was a 2016 write-in candidate for president.

In an unorthodox campaign video he appeared alongside two big cats, wearing a holstered pistol, describing himself as "broke as shit" and admitting he had "kinky sex" and had taken drugs.

Youtube Joe Exotic for President

He is also accused of killing five tigers in October 2017 and selling and offering to sell tiger cubs in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Prospective jurors in the trial were questioned on Tuesday (local time) in a federal court in Oklahoma City. Testimony is scheduled to start on March 25.

ABC/AP