Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson was arrested in connection to what is "believed to be the largest number of dogs ever seized from a single person in a federal dog fighting case," according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release shared on Tuesday (March 25).
Johnson, 54, was 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," which ere seized from him in October 2024 in adherence with the Animal Welfare Act.
Johnson reportedly ran a dog fighting operation known as "Mal Kant Kennels" in both Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, after previously running "Krazyside Kennels," also out of Oklahoma, to which he entered a guilty plea on state animal fighting charges in 2004.
“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,” added 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.”
Johnson faces a maximum penalty on each count of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted, according to the press release. The former Northern Illinois standout was a unanimous All-American in 1993 before being selected by the Green Bay Packers at No. 84 overall in the third-round of the 1994 NFL Draft.
Johnson spent two seasons with the Packers, three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and two seasons with the New York Giants, recording 955 yards and five touchdowns on 253 rushing attempts, as well as 43 receptions for 434 yards and two touchdowns in five NFL seasons.