Ex-nfl Running Back Leshon Johnson Convicted In Oklahoma Dogfighting Case

A erstwhile NFL subordinate from Oklahoma has been convicted for his domiciled successful a large-scale dogfighting operation, national prosecutors announced.

Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for usage successful an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 different akin counts. He faces up to 5 years successful situation and a good of up to $250,000 connected each count erstwhile he’s formally sentenced astatine a later date.

“The FBI will not guidelines for those who perpetuate nan bad crime of dogfighting,” FBI head Kash Patel said successful a statement. “Thanks to nan difficult activity of our rule enforcement partners, those who proceed to prosecute successful organized animal fighting and cruelty will look justice.”

Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels successful Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known arsenic champions aliases expansive champions because of winning canine fights. Earlier this year, nan authorities seized 190 dogs from Johnson that person been successful nan custody of nan US Marshals Service.

Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won arsenic galore arsenic 5 fights and past sold “stud rights” and their offspring to different dogfighters, according to nan Justice Department. The trafficking took spot crossed nan US and helped to turn nan dogfighting industry, while resulting successful Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged.

Pit bulls that were owned by erstwhile NFL shot subordinate LeShon Johnson are kept successful a conception of nan Tulsa Animal Shelter that is marked disconnected by tape. Photograph: John Clanton/AP

Johnson’s attorney, Billy Coyle, said his customer was a canine breeder who was ne'er accused of fighting dogs and noted that nan assemblage acquitted Johnson connected astir of nan counts against him.

“He was simply a breeder of nan American pit bull terrier,” Coyle said. “Obviously nan assemblage recovered that immoderate of his dogs bred were astir apt aliases were utilized successful canine fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.”

Coyle said national agents besides utilized heavy-handed tactics, pinch much than 40 officers raiding his location precocious astatine night, pointing guns astatine Johnson and his woman and seizing his dogs and property.

Johnson antecedently pleaded blameworthy to authorities animal fighting charges successful 2004 successful Oklahoma. He was fixed a five-year deferred sentence, according to tribunal documents.

Johnson was a moving backmost who played for nan Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994 done 1999.