Latest news with #MalKantKennels
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
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-NFL RB LeShon Johnson indicted on federal dogfighting charges
Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been charged in a federal dogfighting case after 190 dogs were seized from him in October under the Animal Welfare Act. Johnson appeared in court last week and 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," according to the U.S. Justice Department. 'Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment,' said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement. '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.' LeShon Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted, as well as a $250,000 fine for each count. (Credit: Stephen Dunn/Allsport) (Stephen Dunn via Getty Images) Johnson allegedly ran the dogfighting operation, known as "Mal Kant Kennels," out of Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. According to court documents, he bred 'champion' and 'grand champion' fighting dogs to produce offspring with abilities that would allow them to take part in dogfights. "Johnson marketed and sold stud rights and offspring from winning fighting dogs to other dog fighters looking to incorporate the Mal Kant Kennels 'bloodline' into their own dog fighting operations. 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." Advertisement Johnson, who was arrested March 20 and released on bail, is facing 21 counts and a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted, as well as a $250,000 fine for each count. This is the second time Johnson has faced these types of charges. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges after running 'Krazyside Kennels." Johnson, 54, played five seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. His career spanned from 1994-1999 after being a third-round draft pick out of Northern Illinois.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former NFL RB LeShon Johnson indicted on federal dogfighting charges
LeShon Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted, as well as a $250,000 fine for each count. (Credit: Stephen Dunn/Allsport) (Stephen Dunn via Getty Images) Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been charged in a federal dogfighting case after 190 dogs were seized from him in October under the Animal Welfare Act. Johnson appeared in court last week and 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," according to the Justice Department. Advertisement 'Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment,' said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement. '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.' Johnson ran the dog fighting operation, known as "Mal Kant Kennels," out of Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. According to court documents, he bred 'champion' and 'grand champion' fighting dogs to produce offspring with abilities that would allow them to take part in dog fights. "Johnson marketed and sold stud rights and offspring from winning fighting dogs to other dog fighters looking to incorporate the Mal Kant Kennels 'bloodline' into their own dog fighting operations. 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." Johnson, who was arrested on March 20 and released on bail, is facing 21 counts and a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted, as well as a $250,000 fine for each count. This is the second time Johnson has faced these types of charges. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges after running 'Krazyside Kennels." Johnson, 54, played five seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. His career spanned from 1994-1999 after being a third-round draft pick out of Northern Illinois.
