Ex-NFLer LeShon Johnson was convicted of six felony counts associated to his function in a federal dog-fighting bust earlier this yr.
A federal jury in Oklahoma discovered the previous Giants working again responsible final week of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions towards possessing, promoting, transporting, and delivering animals for use in combating ventures, the Division of Justice introduced on Monday.
Johnson will likely be sentenced at a later date and faces a most penalty of 5 years behind bars and a positive of as much as $250,000 on every rely.
Authorities seized 190 canines and Johnson has surrendered them to the federal government, which is pursuing forfeiture of the animals.
“This prison profited off of the distress of harmless animals and he’ll face extreme penalties for his vile crimes,” Lawyer Basic Pamela Bondi stated in a press release. “This case underscores the Division of Justice’s dedication to defending animals from abuse — 190 canines at the moment are secure because of excellent collaborative work by our attorneys and regulation enforcement parts.”
Johnson had been charged in March in what federal regulation enforcement dubbed the biggest seizure of canines ever in a federal case and had stated that he had practically 200 “pit bull-type canines,” which had been utilized in an “animal combating enterprise.”
Through the multi-day trial in Oklahoma, prosecutors offered proof that Johnson had bred and trafficked canines for his operation, referred to as “Mal Kant Kennels,” with a view to struggle them.
“The FBI won’t stand for many who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,” FBI Director Kash Patel stated in a press release. “Because of the exhausting work of our regulation enforcement companions, those that proceed to interact in organized animal combating and cruelty will face justice.”
Johnson spent 5 years within the NFL and was drafted by the Packers within the 1994 draft earlier than taking part in from 1995-97 with the Cardinals and taking part in the 1999 season with the Giants.
