The U.S. Division of Justice secured an indictment in opposition to former NFL operating again Leshon Johnson for allegedly operating a big dogfighting enterprise.
The feds accuse Leshon Johnson of dogfighting
The FBI raided Johnson’s property in Damaged Arrow, Okla., about 15 miles southeast of Tulsa, and took away almost 200 pit bulls that the DOJ stated have been used for dogfighting and trafficking to feed different dogfighting enterprises nationally, in line with KJRH-TV information station.
That is being referred to as the greatest dogfighting bust in U.S. historical past.
DOJ stated canine have been bred for savage operation
“Canine preventing is a merciless, blood-thirsty enterprise, not a professional enterprise or sporting exercise,” stated U.S. Legal professional Christopher J. Wilson for the Jap District of Oklahoma, in line with the Justice Division’s web site. “I applaud the investigative work of the FBI and the Justice Division’s Surroundings and Pure Sources Division in detecting and dismantling breeding operations which solely serve to propagate this deplorable conduct.”
Court docket paperwork obtained by the station accuse Johnson of camouflaging his dogfighting operation underneath the enterprise “Mal Kant Kennels” in Damaged Arrow and Haskell.
Lauren Holder, director of Group Pet Help, at Tulsa’s SPCA, informed the station that neighbors can assist stop dogfighting.
“You possibly can generally see, a number of animals popping out of the house at completely different occasions of day,” Holder stated. “when you’re seeing litter after litter being born after which simply disappear, that may very well be indicative as effectively.”
Leshon Johnson excelled in faculty and execs
Johnson was a operating again star for Northern Illinois within the early Nineties and was sixth within the Heisman Trophy race. He was chosen by the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the 1994 NFL Draft, the place he performed six seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants.
Leshon Johnson was arrested for this about 20 years in the past
However after he retired, Johnson entered the illicit dogfighting world. He was busted in 2004 for operating what was referred to as the biggest dogfighting enterprise in Oklahoma historical past. He pleaded responsible however was given a five-year deferred jail sentence. As an alternative of turning away from this unlawful operation, Johnson allegedly expanded it to be the most important ever to be busted in U.S. historical past.
“And all for what? For some fleeting type of leisure and for unlawful playing? Is senseless to me,” Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Motion, stated to 2 Information.