Former NFL Player LeShon Johnson Convicted in Oklahoma for Operating Dogfighting Ring, Surrenders Largest Seized Number of Fighting Dogs

LeShon Johnson, a former NFL running back who played for teams including the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants, has been found guilty by a federal jury in Oklahoma on six counts of violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against dogfighting operations.

The Department of Justice reported that Johnson operated a kennel, Mal Kant Kennels, where he bred and trafficked “grand champion” dogs for use in dogfighting. This marks the largest seizure of dogs ever made from a single individual in a federal dogfighting case, with 190 dogs being surrendered following the verdict.

Johnson now faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, as per the charges. Defense attorney Courtney Jordan stated that Johnson was convicted on six out of 23 counts, with the jury acquitting him on 17 counts of possessing a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.

Jordan highlighted Johnson’s family-oriented and compassionate nature towards dogs, stating that he was never directly involved in dogfighting. The attorney asserted that the jury recognized there was more to the story than what was presented by the government.

Johnson’s conviction recalls the 2007 federal case against Michael Vick, another former NFL quarterback who admitted to conspiring in illegal dogfighting and was sentenced to 23 months in prison. Since his release in 2009, Vick has become an advocate against dogfighting and returned to the NFL, where he now coaches a college team.

While dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, it continues to be a problem with more than 40,000 people involved in enterprises that breed, condition, and train dogs for fighting. According to the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the American pit bull terrier is the dog of choice for fighting in the US.

Johnson had a prior 2004 state conviction for dogfighting, and evidence presented during his federal trial showed that he bred and trafficked “fighting dogs” and their puppies for dogfighting, profiting from this cruel and illegal industry.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the case, stating that Johnson had inflicted misery upon innocent animals and would face severe consequences for his actions. She added that the case highlighted the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse, ensuring that the 190 seized dogs are now safe due to collaborative efforts between attorneys and law enforcement agencies.

The federal government is also pursuing the forfeiture of the dogs, with plans for the US Marshals Service to care for them following the forfeiture process.