Former New York Giants running back charged in federal dogfighting case
Former New York Giants running back LeShon Johnson faces 21 charges after having 190 dogs seized from him last year, the most ever from a single person in a dogfighting case.
The Department of Justice has announced that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma unsealed a grand jury indictment charging Johnson with violating the federal Animal Welfare Act.
Johnson, who appeared in court last week, is charged with “possessing 190 pit bull-type dogs for use in an animal fighting venture and for selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.”
“Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law and will remain committed to protecting innocent animals from those who would do them harm.”
“The FBI will not tolerate criminals that harm innocent animals for their twisted form of entertainment,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI views animal cruelty investigations as a precursor to larger, organized crime efforts, similar to trafficking and homicides. This is yet another push in the FBI’s crackdown of violent offenders harming our most innocent.”
If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count ($5.25 million total).
The 54-year-old Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004.
Johnson was a third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 NFL draft. He also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Giants in 1998. He missed that season after being diagnosed with lymphoma but returned to start in 1999.
In 62 career games (12 starts), Johnson rushed for 955 yards and five touchdowns.
