Ex-NFL RB LeShon Johnson charged in federal dogfighting case

Former NFL operating again LeShon Johnson has been charged in a federal dogfighting case after 190 canine have been seized from him final yr.

The Division of Justice introduced in a information launch this week that the U.S. District Court docket for the Jap District of Oklahoma unsealed the grand jury indictment charging Johnson with violating the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Johnson, who made his preliminary courtroom look final week, is charged with “possessing 190 pit bull-type canine to be used in an animal preventing enterprise and for promoting, transporting, and delivering a canine to be used in an animal preventing enterprise,” per the information launch.

He faces 21 counts. If he’s convicted, he faces a most penalty of 5 years in jail and a $250,000 positive on every rely.

“Animal abuse is merciless, wicked, and deserves extreme punishment,” Lawyer Normal Pamela Bondi mentioned in a press release. “The Division of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the legislation and can stay dedicated to defending harmless animals from those that would do them hurt.”

The canine have been seized from Johnson final October. The DOJ mentioned it’s believed that the variety of canine is the most important ever seized from a single individual in a federal case.

Johnson, 54, was arrested March 20 and was launched on bail, in accordance with a number of media shops that cited courtroom data.

He beforehand pleaded responsible to state animal preventing costs in 2004.

Johnson’s lawyer, Courtney R. Jordan, declined remark to the Related Press on the case.

Johnson was a third-round choice by the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the 1994 draft and likewise performed for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants in his NFL profession. He performed in 62 video games, dashing for 955 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.