Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been convicted on six felony charges for dog fighting, according to a report from TMZ. Authorities reportedly found 190 pit bulls on Johnson’s property after his arrest in March, the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case. On Monday, an Oklahoma […]
Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been convicted on six felony charges for dog fighting, according to a report from TMZ. Authorities reportedly found 190 pit bulls on Johnson’s property after his arrest in March, the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.
On Monday, an Oklahoma federal jury found Johnson guilty on six of the nearly two dozen charges against him. They were three counts of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture, two counts of sale of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture and one count of sale, transport and delivery of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.
Court documents revealed that Johnson ran a dog-fighting operation known as “Mal Kant Kennels” in both Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. He previously ran “Krazyside Kennels” also out of Oklahoma, which led to his guilty plea on dog fighting charges in 2004.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Johnson selectively bred “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs, defined as dogs that have won three or five fights, respectively. He then marketed and sold the rights to the offspring of winning fighting dogs for his own profit.
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse — 190 dogs are now safe thanks to outstanding collaborative work by our attorneys and law enforcement components.”
Following his guilty verdict, Johnson was ordered to surrender all 190 of the dogs found on his property. The United States Marshals Service cares for dogs seized in dog fighting cases through its asset forfeiture program. Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
Johnson previously played six seasons as an NFL running back with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. He was also a standout player in college at Northern Illinois, winning Big West Offensive Player of the Year in 1993 after rushing for 1,976 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Johnson ended his NFL career with pedestrian numbers of 955 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He is scheduled to be sentenced for his crimes at a later date, according to a press release.
Category: Football
