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 leading to the seizure of 190 dogs, marking the largest such confiscation from a single individual in a federal investigation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The charges against him include possessing pit bull-type dogs for use in animal fighting and selling dogs for the same purpose.

The dogs were taken from Johnson in October 2024. He reportedly operated a dogfighting venture known as "Mal Kant Kennels" in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. His activity not only involved breeding dogs that had won multiple fights but also the sale of "stud rights" and puppies to other dogfighters, contributing to the broader dogfighting enterprise.

This is not Johnson's first brush with the law concerning animal fighting; he previously pleaded guilty to state charges in Oklahoma in 2004, receiving a five-year deferred sentence. His current indictment reflects a more serious escalation of his alleged criminal activities in animal cruelty.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that animal abuse is reprehensible and demands harsh consequences. She affirmed the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting the case rigorously to safeguard vulnerable animals from harm.

If convicted, Johnson faces significant penalties, including up to five years in prison for each count and substantial fines. The FBI has highlighted the connection between animal cruelty and more extensive criminal activities, asserting that investigations into animal fighting can lead to broader organized crime efforts.