Ex-NFL player convicted in Oklahoma of dog-fighting-related charges after 190 dogs seized

The Hill

14 hours ago

TULSA, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former NFL player and Oklahoma native has been convicted of multiple federal charges months after officials seized 190 dogs from an alleged animal fighting venture, according to court documents.
LeShon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, was convicted by a federal jury Friday of 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. The conviction came at the end of a five-day jury trial.
Johnson originally faced nearly two dozen dog-fighting-related charges, court records show.
Officials said in a March news release that 190 'pit bull-type dogs' were seized from Johnson in October 2024. At the time, it was believed to be the largest number of dogs ever seized from a single person in a federal dog-fighting case.
Court documents said that Johnson ran a dog-fighting operation known as 'Mal Kant Kennels' in both Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma.
He pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 after running 'Krazyside Kennels' in Oklahoma.
The district said Johnson would selectively breed 'champion' and 'grand champion' fighting dogs — those that have won between three and five fights — to produce offspring with fighting traits and abilities desired by him and others for use in dog fights.
He would market and sell stud rights and offspring from winning fighting dogs to other dog fighters looking to incorporate his kennel's bloodline into their own dog-fighting operations, officials said.
'His trafficking of fighting dogs to other dog fighters across the country contributed to the growth of the dog fighting industry and allowed Johnson to profit financially,' the release said.
Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. A sentencing date in his case has not yet been scheduled.
Johnson was a running back and kick returner in the NFL for six seasons during the 1990s. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1994 NFL draft and also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants.
Before his NFL career, Johnson played for the Northern Illinois Huskies in college, and in 1993, he finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, with five first-place votes.