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

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (AP) - Former NFL player LeShon Johnson has been indicted for allegedly running a significant dogfighting operation, leading to the seizure of 190 dogs—reportedly the highest number ever confiscated from a single individual in a federal dogfighting case, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Charged with possessing pit bull-type dogs for use in an animal fighting venture, Johnson is also accused of selling, transporting, and delivering dogs for the same purpose. The dogs were seized in October 2024, with allegations indicating that he managed the operation known as "Mal Kant Kennels" across Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, as outlined in court documents.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the severity of animal abuse, stating that it is "cruel, depraved," and deserves stringent punishment. She affirmed the commitment of the Department of Justice to prosecute the case and safeguard innocent animals from harm.

This is not Johnson's first encounter with the law regarding animal fighting; he previously pleaded guilty to similar charges in 2004 and received a five-year deferred sentence. According to the Justice Department, he allegedly bred dogs that had won multiple fights and sold their "stud rights" and offspring, contributing to the dogfighting industry's expansion.

If found guilty on all counts, Johnson could face up to five years in prison for each charge along with a $250,000 fine. As FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned, the FBI does not tolerate animal cruelty and considers it a precursor to broader organized crime, underscoring their ongoing crackdown on violent offenses against defenseless animals. Johnson, who played as a running back for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants between 1994 and 1999, remains under scrutiny as the legal process unfolds.