Ex-NFLer LeShon Johnson was convicted of six felony counts related to his role in a federal dog-fighting bust earlier this year.
A federal jury in Oklahoma found the former Giants running back guilty last week of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures, the Department of Justice announced on Monday.
Johnson will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
Authorities seized 190 dogs and Johnson has surrendered them to the government, which is pursuing forfeiture of the animals.
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse — 190 dogs are now safe thanks to outstanding collaborative work by our attorneys and law enforcement components.”
Johnson had been charged in March in what federal law enforcement dubbed the largest seizure of dogs ever in a federal case and had said that he had nearly 200 “pit bull-type dogs,” which were used in an “animal fighting venture.”
During the multi-day trial in Oklahoma, prosecutors presented evidence that Johnson had bred and trafficked dogs for his operation, called “Mal Kant Kennels,” in order to fight them.
“The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”
Johnson spent five years in the NFL and was drafted by the Packers in the 1994 draft before playing from 1995-97 with the Cardinals and playing the 1999 season with the Giants.
