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

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (AP) - Former NFL player LeShon Johnson is facing serious legal trouble after being indicted for allegedly running a large dogfighting operation that led to the seizure of 190 dogs, the highest number ever confiscated from a single individual in a federal dogfighting investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Johnson, who is from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is charged with possessing pit bull-type dogs for use in animal fighting, as well as selling, transporting, and delivering dogs for the same purpose. The dogs were taken from his premises in October 2024 during an investigation into his alleged operation, “Mal Kant Kennels.”

This is not Johnson's first brush with the law pertaining to animal fighting; he previously pleaded guilty to state charges in 2004 and received a five-year deferred sentence. The current charges arise from allegations that he bred dogs that won multiple fights and profited by selling their offspring and "stud rights" to other dogfighters across the U.S., further fueling the dogfighting industry.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned animal abuse, stating that it is a cruel act deserving of severe punishment, and affirmed the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting this case vigorously. Meanwhile, Johnson's lawyer has chosen not to comment on the ongoing situation.

If convicted, Johnson could face significant prison time, with potential sentences of up to five years for each count and fines reaching $250,000. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that animal cruelty investigations are often linked to larger organized crime and stated that the FBI is dedicated to cracking down on such offenders. Johnson had a career as a running back in the NFL from 1994 to 1999, playing for teams like the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants.