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

Former NFL player LeShon Johnson has been indicted on charges related to allegedly running a large dogfighting operation, leading to the seizure of 190 dogs, the highest number ever confiscated from one individual in a federal dogfighting investigation, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. Johnson, who resides in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, faces charges for possessing pit bull-type dogs for use in animal fighting and for the sale and transportation of dogs for the same purpose.

The dogs were seized from Johnson in October 2024, who purportedly operated under the name "Mal Kant Kennels" in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. According to court documents, Johnson had a history of involvement in animal fighting, having previously pleaded guilty to similar charges in Oklahoma in 2004, which resulted in a five-year deferred sentence.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the seriousness of animal abuse, stating, "Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment." She affirmed the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting the case vigorously and protecting innocent animals from harm.

Johnson's alleged activities included breeding dogs with numerous fighting victories and selling their "stud rights" and offspring to other dogfighters, contributing to the growth of the dogfighting industry and his own financial gain. If convicted on the current charges, Johnson faces a potential maximum of five years in prison for each count and fines reaching $250,000.

FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the agency's zero tolerance for animal cruelty, framing these investigations as integral to tackling larger organized crimes. His comments underscore the FBI's broader initiative to combat violent offenses against vulnerable beings, reinforcing the serious nature of the allegations against Johnson, who previously played as a running back for teams including the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants from 1994 to 1999.