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Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson was convicted in what is "believed to be the largest number of dogs ever seized from a single person in a federal dog fighting case."
Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was found guilty last week of violating six felony counts of the federal Animal Welfare Act's prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures, the Department of Justice confirmed in a news release shared on Monday (August 4). A total 190 dogs seized from a dog fighting operation known as "Mal Kant Kennels" run by Johnson were surrendered following the verdict and the government is pursuing forfeiture of the dogs as the U.S. Marshals Services cares for them through its asset forfeiture program.
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi via the news release. “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.”
Johnson reportedly ran a dog fighting operation known as "Mal Kant Kennels" in both Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, after previously running "Krazyside Kennels," also out of Oklahoma, to which he entered a guilty plea on state animal fighting charges in 2004. The former running back faces a maximum penalty on each count of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine during a sentencing at a later date.
Johnson was a unanimous All-American in 1993 before being selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 84 overall in the third-round of the 1994 NFL Draft. The former Northern Illinois standout spent two seasons with the Packers, three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and two seasons with the New York Giants, recording 955 yards and five touchdowns on 253 rushing attempts, as well as 43 receptions for 434 yards and two touchdowns in five NFL seasons.