BroBible
Former NFL running back Leshon Johnson was officially convicted of operating large-scale dog fighting and trafficking venture by a federal jury in Oklahoma last week. Johnson, a member of the Northern Illinois University Football Hall of Fame after leading the nation in rushing in 1993 with 1,976 yards, played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants from 1994 to 1999.
Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was arrested in March as part of an operation that the U.S. Department of Justice said resulted in what was “the largest number [of dogs] ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.” He was found guilty on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.
As a result of his conviction, Leshon Johnson surrendered to the government the 190 dogs that were seized in the case. The dogs will be cared for by the United States Marshals Service, as it does with others seized in dog fighting cases.
“This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,” Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), said in a statement. “ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and our partners are committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting and to disrupting this illegal and inhumane industry.”
According to the Department of Justice, Leshon Johnson’s conviction stems from an indictment unsealed in March which detailed Johnson’s operation of “Mal Kant Kennels.” Testimony in the case included evidence that Johnson bred and trafficked “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs and their offspring.
Johnson also has a previous conviction after pleading guilty to dog fighting charges and operating “Krazyside Kennels” in 2004. In that case, he received a five-year deferred sentence. Now he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
Leshon Johnson’s best season in the NFL after being selected in the third round by the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 NFL Draft was in 1996 when he rushed for 634 yards scored four touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals.
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