Latest news with #LeShonJohnson
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Packers running back LeShon Johnson charged in large-scale dog fighting operation
GREEN BAY − Former Green Bay Packers running back LeShon Johnson has been arrested and accused of running a dog fighting and trafficking business. What the Justice Department is calling the largest federal dog fighting bust in history, federal authorities seized nearly 200 pit bulls in Johnson's custody in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Advertisement Johnson, 54, has been charged with multiple violations related to the federal Animal Welfare Act, according to an unsealed grand jury indictment by a U.S. district court in Oklahoma's eastern district. All the dogs were seized from Johnson's custody in October 2024 under the Animal Welfare Act, according to a press release from the DOJ. 'Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in the press release. 'The Department of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law and will remain committed to protecting innocent animals from those who would do them harm.' According to court documents, Johnson ran at least two dog fighting operations called 'Mal Kant Kennels' in Haskell, where he was born, and in his town of Broken Arrow. Johnson previously ran 'Krazyside Kennels' and pleaded guilty to dog fighting charges in 2005. Advertisement In the press release, the DOJ said the trafficking reached dog fighters across the country, growing the dog fighting industry, and Johnson was able to make a financial profit. Johnson was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 1994 NFL draft out of Northern Illinois and spent five seasons in the league. He appeared in only 14 games over two seasons with the Packers before finishing his career with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. During his second season, Johnson and rookie teammate Travis Jervey, memorably bought a pet lion and kept it at the home they shared together in Green Bay. They named it Nala, inspired by 'The Lion King.' If convicted, Johnson could face a maximum penalty of five years and a $250,000 fine for each count. The FBI's Shreveport Resident Agency office is investigating the case. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Packers running back LeShon Johnson charged in dog fighting bust
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex Giants Running Back Dogfighting Evidence Piles Up
The New York Giants are focusing on their future and attempting to navigate their quarterback situation and prep for the upcoming NFL Draft on April 24-26. But a former Giants running back is also contemplating his future, and it might not be good. Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson is being charged in a federal dogfighting case. Johnson made his first appearance in court last week and has been charged with "possessing 190 pit bull-type dogs for use in an animal fighting venture and for selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture," per a news release. The Department of Justice announced this week that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma unsealed a grand jury indictment charging Johnson with violating the federal Animal Welfare Act. On Thursday, a summary of evidence against Johnson was filed, and it includes an electronic device seized from Johnson and photos of dead and maimed dogs, along with a photo of a dog on a treadmill. Johnson is alleged to have bred "champion" and "grand champion" fighting dogs and developed dogfighting bloodlines for years and even decades. The Northern Illinois product faces 21 counts, and if convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. The dogs were taken from the 54-year-old Johnson in October and the Department of Justice said it's believed that the number of dogs is the largest ever seized from a single person in a federal case. He was arrested on March 20 and released on bond per multiple was a third-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in 1994 and spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and Giants across 62 NFL games. Follow Timm Hamm on X for all the college football & NFL news, updates & analysis throughout the season. Make sure to check out for the latest sports news and opinions.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-NFL player charged over dogfighting operation after feds seized 190 dogs
Former NFL player LeShon Johnson was charged with allegedly operating a large dogfighting venture after 190 "pit bull-type dogs" were seized from him in October 2024 – believed to be the most even taken from one person in a federal dogfighting investigation, the Department of Justice said. According to court documents, Johnson operated "Mal Kant Kennels" in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. In addition to the possession of the 190 dogs, Johnson is charged with selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that won fights, selling the stud rights and offspring to other dogfighters across the country. "Dog fighting is a cruel, blood-thirsty venture, not a legitimate business or sporting activity," said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Raised in Oklahoma, Johnson was an All-American running back at Northern Illinois, leading the nation with 1,976 rushing yards in 1993 to finish sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. Johnson was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1994 draft and played his last game in 1999, totaling five rushing touchdowns in his NFL career with the Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. In 2004, Johnson pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in Oklahoma and was given a five-year deferred sentence. "Dog fighting is illegal, and courts have upheld its prosecution time and again," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). "This strategic prosecution of an alleged repeat offender led to the seizure of 190 dogs destined for a cruel end. It disrupts a major source of dogs used in other dog fighting ventures.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeShon Johnson, ex-NFL player, charged over dogfighting operation
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-NFL player charged over dogfighting operation after feds seized 190 dogs
Ex-NFL player charged over dogfighting operation after feds seized 190 dogs Former NFL player LeShon Johnson was charged with allegedly operating a large dogfighting venture after 190 "pit bull-type dogs" were seized from him in October 2024 – believed to be the most even taken from one person in a federal dogfighting investigation, the Department of Justice said. According to court documents, Johnson operated "Mal Kant Kennels" in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. In addition to the possession of the 190 dogs, Johnson is charged with selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that won fights, selling the stud rights and offspring to other dogfighters across the country. "Dog fighting is a cruel, blood-thirsty venture, not a legitimate business or sporting activity," said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Raised in Oklahoma, Johnson was an All-American running back at Northern Illinois, leading the nation with 1,976 rushing yards in 1993 to finish sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. Johnson was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1994 draft and played his last game in 1999, totaling five rushing touchdowns in his NFL career with the Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. In 2004, Johnson pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in Oklahoma and was given a five-year deferred sentence. "Dog fighting is illegal, and courts have upheld its prosecution time and again," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). "This strategic prosecution of an alleged repeat offender led to the seizure of 190 dogs destined for a cruel end. It disrupts a major source of dogs used in other dog fighting ventures.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former New York Giants running back charged in federal dogfighting case
Former New York Giants running back LeShon Johnson faces 21 charges after having 190 dogs seized from him last year, the most ever from a single person in a dogfighting case. The Department of Justice has announced that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma unsealed a grand jury indictment charging Johnson with violating the federal Animal Welfare Act. Johnson, who appeared in court last week, is charged with "possessing 190 pit bull-type dogs for use in an animal fighting venture and for selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture." "Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "The Department of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law and will remain committed to protecting innocent animals from those who would do them harm." "The FBI will not tolerate criminals that harm innocent animals for their twisted form of entertainment," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "The FBI views animal cruelty investigations as a precursor to larger, organized crime efforts, similar to trafficking and homicides. This is yet another push in the FBI's crackdown of violent offenders harming our most innocent." If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count ($5.25 million total). The 54-year-old Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004. Johnson was a third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 NFL draft. He also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Giants in 1998. He missed that season after being diagnosed with lymphoma but returned to start in 1999. In 62 career games (12 starts), Johnson rushed for 955 yards and five touchdowns. This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Former Giants running back charged in federal dogfighting case
