Nearly 200 dogs seized from ex-NFL player in dogfighting case

Former NFL player LeShon Johnson has been indicted for allegedly running a significant dogfighting operation that led to the seizure of 190 dogs, marking the largest recovery from a single individual in a federal dogfighting investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Johnson, based in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, faces charges for possessing pit bull-type dogs for the purpose of animal fighting, as well as selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for this illegal activity.

The dogs were seized from Johnson in October 2024, and he is accused of operating a dogfighting venture known as "Mal Kant Kennels" in both Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. Judicial documents detail Johnson's involvement in breeding dogs known for their fighting abilities, selling "stud rights," and profiting from the resulting offspring within the dogfighting community across the United States.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the cruelty of animal abuse and assured that the Department of Justice would pursue this case rigorously to protect animals from harm. In the past, Johnson had pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in Oklahoma in 2004, receiving a five-year deferred sentence.

His attorney, Courtney R. Jordan, has not provided comments on the ongoing case. Should Johnson be convicted, he faces significant consequences, including up to five years in prison for each charge and potential fines totaling $250,000.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the organization regards animal cruelty cases as indicators of larger criminal activities, comparable to human trafficking and homicide. The indictment of Johnson aligns with the FBI's ongoing efforts to combat violent offenders who exploit innocent animals for entertainment. Johnson, who played as a running back for teams like the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants from 1994 to 1999, now faces serious legal repercussions stemming from these allegations.