Ex-NFLer convicted of running dog fighting breeding operation
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A federal jury in Oklahoma on Monday convicted a former NFL player on a half dozen animal abuse charges for breeding and selling fighting dogs.
LeShon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Okla., was found guilty on six counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by a jury following a trial in which they heard evidence that he bred and trafficked so-called champion and grand champion fighting dogs and their offspring.
"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 in a statement.
The grand jury indictment was unsealed in March, accusing him of possessing 190 bull-type dogs for use in animal fighting operations.
Federal prosecutors accused him of operating Mal Kant Kennels, which had two locations, one in Broken Arrow and the other in Haskell, which is also in Oklahoma. They said he selectively bred champion and grand champion fighting dogs, defined as those that have won three and five fights, respectively.
He marketed and sold stud rights and puppies from winning dogs to other dog fighters who wanted the Mal Kan Kennels "bloodline," according to prosecutors who said his operation contributed to the growth of dog fighting across the country.
The 190 dogs in his possession were seized by law enforcement in October and are now in U.S. Marshal custody following the verdict on Monday. This is the largest seizure from a single person in a federal dog fighting case, the Justice Department said.
Johnson faces up to a maximum of five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000 for each of the six counts.
The conviction is also at least the second dog fighting case brought against Johnson, who pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 for running Krazside Kennels.
Johnson played five seasons in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants in the 1990s, for a total of 62 games played.
There have been several dog fighting cases.
In February, a Florida man was sentenced to seven years for a dog fighting conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a gun.
In December, a former Defense Department official received 18 months for participating in a multi-state dog fighting conspiracy, and a Virginia man became the final of seven defendants in July of 2023 to be sentenced to 46 months for dog fighting charges.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
30 minutes ago
- New York Post
NFLPA provides clarity on smelling salts in twist after league's ban
Smelling salts aren't going anywhere. After it was reported Tuesday that the NFL was banning salts ahead of the 2025-26 season, the NFL Players Association offered some additional clarification on the rule change, which will surely please the players. The ban was actually placed only on teams supplying the salts, but players will be allowed to use the salts if they provide them themselves. Advertisement 3 Rams defensive end Kobie Turner takes a sniff of smelling salt during a game against the Packers. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 'We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out,' the NFLPA said in a message to players, according to an ESPN report on Wednesday. 'To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us.' 3 Smelling salts lay on the sidelines during a game between the Colts and Steelers, AP Advertisement The league's original memo in which it announced the new prohibition of ammonia, which the salts contain, noted that the NFL's head, neck and spine committee made the recommendation for the ban based on the FDA's warning in 2024 about the negative effects of ammonia inhalants. The FDA's warning included 'the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.' Smelling salts have long been used across numerous different sports as a stimulant for athletes, raising their awareness. 3 George Kittle expressed disappointment over the initial ban. AP Advertisement The clarification on the new rule saved many players from a world of disappointment. This includes 49ers tight end George Kittle, who crashed the set of NFL Network's 'Inside Training Camp' on Tuesday when he heard the original news. Advertisement 'I've been distraught all day,' Kittle said jokingly. 'I considered retirement. We've got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out, somebody come up with a good idea. 'I miss those already.'
UPI
31 minutes ago
- UPI
Texas AG to investigate O'Rourke-linked group amid map row
Texas has launched an investigation into Beto O'Rourke's Powered by People group in connection to Democrats who fled the state over the weekend. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday launched an investigation into potential Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke over allegations that he "bribed" Democratic state lawmakers who fled the Lone Star State to prevent Republicans from passing GOP-favorable congressional maps that critics say strip power from voters of color. Paxton announced the investigation amid a deepening row between the state's Democrats and Republicans. The state's minority Democrats fled Texas over the weekend to deny Republicans the quorum needed to certify the controversial maps. The state's Republican leadership has responded with threats of arrest and to vacate their congressional seats if they don't return by Friday, as well as investigations into anyone who solicits funds to support their effort. Paxton said Wednesday that he is investigating the O'Rourke-led Powered by People, which is reportedly covering the costs of Texas Democrats who fled the state. He also said the Powered by People group may have violated bribery laws and state laws, such as those governing campaign or officeholder contributions and expenditures, coercion of a public servant and abuse of office. "Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable," Paxton said in a statement announcing the investigation. "These jet-setting runaways have already lost public trust by abandoning our state, and Texans deserve to know if they received illegal bribes to do it." The new maps, if certified, are expected to give Republicans five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of next year's midterm elections. Critics and Democrats argue that the maps draw lines that dilute the voting power of Latino and Black people, while serving as a power grab by President Donald Trump through rigging the GOP representation in the House. Democrats have widely supported their Texan colleagues' actions to prevent quorum. Republicans have viewed the move as a shirking from their responsibilities. O'Rourke has been traveling throughout several swing states, including Missouri, Wisconsin, Indianapolis, Nebraska and others, trying to generate grassroots support for the Texas Democrats. In response to the investigation, O'Rourke accused Paxton of hypocrisy. "The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five congressional seats," he said on X. Paxton was impeached by the state House but was acquitted of all corruption charges by the Senate. The Republican attorney general has vowed that he will seek "aggressive legal action" against any Democrat who is not present at the House on Friday, while Abbott has called for their arrests.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
5 things to watch for during Week 1 of NFL preseason
5 things to watch for during Week 1 of NFL preseason | A to Z Sports NFL Newsletter originally appeared on A to Z Sports. SUBSCRIBE to our emails here. 5 things to watch for during Week 1 of NFL preseason The Hall of Fame Game notwithstanding, Week 1 of the NFL preseason begins on Thursday. We will get our first look at the 2025 NFL Draft class in game action, as well as free agents who changed teams during the offseason. Here are our top five things to watch for during this weekend's slate. Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter playing both sides of the ball: Hunter is one of the most hyped-up rookies in recent memory, thanks to his expected attempt to play both offense and defense. Jacksonville has listed him as a starting WR and a second-string CB on its depth chart. It will be interesting to see how the Jaguars' coaching staff manages his workload. How he performs at each position will likely dictate where he gets the most snaps. Debut of Titans QB Cam Ward: Tennessee used their No. 1 overall draft pick on Ward, committing to him as the future of the franchise. He's had his ups and downs throughout training camp, but how he performs in preseason will give us a more accurate look at his abilities. Equally as important as making good throws will be Ward's command of the offense, such as getting in and out of the huddle quickly, making sure guys are lined up properly, and reading defenses. QB Aaron Rodgers debut with Steelers: The longest saga of the offseason was the back-and-forth between Rodgers and Pittsburgh. The 21-year-veteran finally signed with the franchise, and expects this season to be his last. The big question surrounding Rodgers is whether or not he has enough left in the tank to lead the Steelers to the Super Bowl. We're a long way from that, but a positive start in his debut would ease some nerves. Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler compete for Saints starting QB role: New Orleans is not tipping its hand as to who has the advantage, and has even promoted Jake Haener as in the mix. Haener is likely a longshot, but Shough and Rattler seem to be on pretty even footing. Whoever plays best in their game on Sunday should get the upper hand, but the battle could last through all three preseason matchups. Ben Johnson leads new-look Bears offense: Johnson was the hot name in this year's head coaching cycle, and he is now paired up with 2024 No. 1 overall pick QB Caleb Williams. Chicago remodeled its offensive line, and added a couple of new rookie weapons in tight end Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden III. The pressure will be on Johnson to succeed quickly and get the most out of Williams and the Bears' offense. ESPN purchases NFL Network — what to know The NFL and ESPN have announced a non-binding agreement that ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL, including RedZone and NFL Fantasy. In exchange, the NFL will receive a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN. More terms of the agreement: NFL Network will be owned and operated by ESPN and fully integrated into ESPN DTC. NFL RedZone will still be available on NFL+, but ESPN will distribute it on traditional television. NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football. ESPN's platforms will license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network. The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses such as NFL Films, NFL+, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel, and the official sites for the league's 32 clubs. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
