Total Pro Sports
Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been convicted on six felony charges following an arrest stemming from the biggest federal dog-fighting case in United States history.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal jury in Oklahoma found Johnson guilty of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fights.
The 54-year-old was indicted as part of a massive raid earlier this year that saw 190 pitbulls recovered. The FBI believes it was the largest seizure of fighting dogs from a single individual in U.S. history.
Johnson spent six years in the NFL after entering the league as a third-round pick from Northern Illinois. He played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Jets.
He was accused of operating a large-scale breeding and trafficking scheme known as “Mal Kant Kennels” while raising fighting dogs himself. The guilty verdict, reached last week, required him to surrender his dogs to the government, with the United States Marshals Service to care for them.
LeShon Johnson is facing a maximum of five years in prison and up to $250,000 per count. His sentence is still pending.
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” Attorney General Pam 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.”
Johnson is said to have trained “champion” and “grand champion” pitbulls and sold breeding rights across the U.S.
This isn’t his first brush with the law, either. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to similar state charges after being arrested for running “Krazyside Kennels.” He received a five-year deferred sentence.
One of his dogs in this recent case reportedly won eight fights, which prosecutors say is unusual, as dogs typically suffer fatal injuries in fights.
“Champion” status is earned after three wins, while a canine can become a “grand champion” with five wins.
Evidence is understood to have been recovered from Johnson’s phone, which led to seizures at two separate properties.
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