Latest news with #LeshonJohnson
The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
Ex-NFL running back Leshon Johnson convicted in Oklahoma dogfighting case
A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced. Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he's formally sentenced at a later date. 'The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,' FBI director Kash Patel said in a statement. 'Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.' Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the US Marshals Service. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold 'stud rights' and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the US and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged. Johnson's attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him. 'He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,' Coyle said. 'Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.' Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents. Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994 through 1999.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Former NFL player convicted in large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced. Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he's formally sentenced at a later date. 'The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,' FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. 'Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.' Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold 'stud rights' and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged. Johnson's attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him. 'He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,' Coyle said. 'Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.' Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents. Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Former NFL player convicted in large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma
A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced. Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he's formally sentenced at a later date. 'The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,' FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. 'Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.' Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold 'stud rights' and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged. Johnson's attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him. 'He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,' Coyle said. 'Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.' Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents. Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Associated Press
Former NFL player convicted in large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced. Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he's formally sentenced at a later date. 'The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,' FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. 'Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.' Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold 'stud rights' and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged. Johnson's attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him. 'He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,' Coyle said. 'Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.' Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents. Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Fox News
Former NFL running back convicted on 6 felony counts in record-breaking dog fighting operation
A former NFL running back was convicted on six felony counts for operating a large-scale dog-fighting trafficking venture following a multi-day trial in Oklahoma. The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs announced the conviction of Leshon Johnson, 54, who was convicted of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act's prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures. The announcement stated that Johnson, who played five seasons in the NFL with three different teams, surrendered to the government the "190 dogs seized in this case." "This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. "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." FBI Director Kash Patel added: "The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice." The conviction came from an unsealed indictment in March, which went into detail about Johnson's operation at "Mal Kant Kennels." There was evidence delivered to the federal jury that showed Johnson bred and trafficked "champion" and "grand champion" fighting dogs. "Authorities seized the 190 dogs from his property, which is the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case," the announcement read. Johnson had a prior dogfighting conviction from the state in 2004. He pleaded guilty to the crime in 2005, where he received a five-year deferred sentence. Two years later, the NFL was hit with another shocking dogfighting scandal, as Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty to his involvement in a fighting ring and spent 21 months in prison. Johnson now faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each felony count. "Dog fighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society," U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma said in a statement. "I commend the hard work of our law enforcement partners in investigating this case and holding the defendant accountable for his crimes." Johnson, who became a star at Northern Illinois University, was a third-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 NFL Draft. He didn't serve a large role in Green Bay, who ended up moving on from him midway through the 1995 season. Johnson joined the Arizona Cardinals, where he would see most of his career yardage on the NFL stage. He started eight of his 15 games in 1996, rushing for 634 yards with three touchdowns, while catching 15 passes for 176 yards and a score. Johnson spent one more season in Arizona before joining the New York Giants in 1999, where he played in a backup role. He also played in the XFL after his time in the NFL was over.
