A heinous record shattered: LeShon Johnson's dark legacy
Ex-NFL Running Back Indicted for Running Large-Scale Canine Fighting Ring
Once a promising NFL running back, LeShon Johnson now finds himself in hot water with the law, accused of violating U.S. dog fighting laws. According to the Department of Justice, Johnson has been charged with the horrifying possession of a shocking 190 "pit bull-type" dogs, intended for a brutal dog fighting ring. This disturbing case may set a sordid record as the most dogs ever seized from a single individual in an animal fighting case [4].
The DOJ asserts that Johnson not only bred these dogs for his own evil deeds, but also sold and transported them to other dog fighting enthusiasts, gravely impacting the dog fighting scene across the nation.
"This strategic prosecution of an alleged repeat offender resulted in the seizure of 190 dogs headed for a horrific fate. This disruption singularly targets a major source of dogs utilized in other dog fighting ventures," shared Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) [4].
The mastermind behind Mal Kant Kennels
As per the US District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the now 54-year-old former third-round NFL draft pick managed the Mal Kant Kennels dog fighting operation in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. Johnson would breed his most successful dogs - the so-called "champion" and "grand champion" - to create more fighting machines. His offspring, as well as the stud rights to his champions, were peddled to other dog fighting operators eager to bolster their own ranks. Johnso's vile business activities consequently aided the growth of other operations throughout the country [1].
LeShon Johnson isn't a stranger to dog fighting charges. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges and was granted a five-year deferred sentence the following year [1].
Dog fighting is a heinous blood sport, in which two canines are forced to fight until one is too injured to continue or perishes. Bred and trained for brutality, these pit bulls are often connected to organized crime networks [1]. Like human fighting sports such as boxing or mixed martial arts, dog fights are a lucrative source of entertainment for those involved, particularly promoters and successful owners. A large portion of the fun and profits revolve around gambling on the fights [1].
Dog fighting is a criminal act condemned in every corner of the nation and at the federal level. Merely attending a dog fight is also considered a crime in all 50 states. LeShon Johnson currently faces 21 counts, each potentially leading to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine [4].
[Source: 1. Tulsa World, 2. CNN, 3. U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma, 4. U.S. Department of Justice, 5. Boston.com]
- The prosecution is pursuing LeShon Johnson, formerly an NFL running back, for allegedly violating U.S. dog fighting laws, with Johnson facing charges for the possession of over 190 "pit bull-type" dogs intended for a severe dog fighting ring.
- Despite a previous guilty plea for state animal fighting charges in 2004, Johnson was the mastermind behind Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, where he bred and sold dogs for use in dog fighting.
- Johnson was involved in the sports world before his criminal activities, having been an NFL draft pick, but now his name is associated with the general-news category, specifically crime-and-justice, due to his continued transgressions.
- The seizure of Johnson's dogs has been hailed as a major disruption in the dog fighting scene across the nation, targeting a significant source of dogs used in other dog fighting ventures.
- The ongoing legal proceedings against Johnson demonstrate that dog fighting, a heinous blood sport, is considered a criminal act at both the state and federal levels, with each count potentially resulting in five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
