US EditionEx-NFL player convicted in Oklahoma of dog-fighting-related charges after 190 dogs seized
OKLAHOMA, AUG 4 – LeShon Johnson was convicted on six felony counts related to owning and trafficking nearly 190 pit bull-type dogs for fighting, marking the largest federal dog seizure from one individual.
- Leshon Johnson, a 54-year-old ex-NFL running back from Oklahoma, was found guilty last week on six felony charges for running an extensive dog fighting and trafficking operation involving 190 dogs.
- Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels, where authorities seized 190 pit bull-type dogs in October 2024—the largest federal dog seizure from one person in a dog fighting case.
- The federal case revealed Johnson bred, sold, transported, and possessed fighting dogs in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, with previous state convictions for dog fighting dating back to 2004.
- Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the defendant for exploiting the suffering of defenseless animals and emphasized that he will be held accountable for his reprehensible actions, while FBI Director Kash Patel affirmed the agency’s commitment to combating dogfighting.
- Johnson now faces up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per count, with sentencing scheduled later, underscoring the Department of Justice's commitment to protecting animals from abuse.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Ex-NFL player convicted of dog-fighting-related charges after 190 dogs seized
TULSA, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former NFL player and Oklahoma native has been convicted of multiple federal charges months after officials seized 190 dogs from an alleged animal fighting venture, according to court documents. LeShon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, was convicted by a federal jury Friday of three counts of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture, two counts of sale of a dog for use in an animal fighting ventur…
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Ex-NFL player convicted in Oklahoma of dog-fighting-related charges after 190 dogs seized
Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic content. TULSA, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former NFL player and Oklahoma native has been convicted of multiple federal charges months after officials seized 190 dogs from an alleged animal fighting venture, according to court documents. LeShon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, was convicted by a federal jury on Aug. 1 of three counts of possession of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture, two count…
Former NFL running back convicted on 6 felony counts in record-breaking dog fighting operation – Democratic Accent
A former NFL running back was convicted on six felony counts for operating a large-scale dog-fighting trafficking venture following a multi-day trial in Oklahoma. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs announced the conviction of Leshon Johnson, 54, who was convicted of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures. The…
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