Broken Arrow, Oklahoma — A former NFL player has been found guilty in what federal prosecutors describe as one of the largest dog fighting and trafficking rings ever discovered in the United States.
Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was convicted last week on six felony charges for breaching the Animal Welfare Act. A federal jury concluded that Johnson ran a large-scale criminal operation involving the possession, transportation, sale, and delivery of dogs for illegal fighting purposes.
Once a professional football player, Johnson now faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count. The date for his sentencing has not yet been set.
Authorities say Johnson ran the operation under the name “Mal Kant Kennels,” where he bred, trained, and trafficked so-called “champion” and “grand champion” dogs specifically for violent dog fights. The investigation culminated in the seizure of 190 dogs, the largest number ever recovered from a single defendant in a federal dog fighting case.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned Johnson’s actions, stating, “This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes. Thanks to outstanding collaborative work by our attorneys and law enforcement components, 190 dogs are now safe.”
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed those sentiments, saying, “The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting. Those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”
Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) added, “This conviction sends a strong message: abusing animals for entertainment and profit will result in serious consequences under federal law.”
The case, initially brought to light with an indictment unsealed in March, revealed how Johnson monetized the brutal practice, despite a prior 2004 state conviction for similar offenses.
U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma called the case “a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” and praised the efforts of law enforcement in holding Johnson accountable.
The 190 dogs that were taken are currently being cared for by the U.S. Marshals Service as part of its asset forfeiture program. The Department of Justice is actively seeking formal forfeiture of these animals to ensure they are not returned to dangerous situations.
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