MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Federal prosecutors have delivered a stunning blow to the dogfighting underworld with the conviction of Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, a former NFL player, on six felony counts. Johnson, from Broken Arrow, was found guilty of violating federal Animal Welfare Act provisions by possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals for fighting purposes.
Following the jury’s decision, Johnson turned over 190 dogs to authorities, who are now seeking their forfeiture. The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for caring for these seized canines through its asset forfeiture program. “This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi declared, “and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes.”
Director Kash Patel of the FBI echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the FBI stands against those who engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty. Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse, highlighting the case as a significant victory for animal welfare.
The conviction is based on an indictment unsealed in March that revealed Johnson’s operation of “Mal Kant Kennels.” The jury was presented with evidence that Johnson bred and trafficked high-ranking fighting dogs and their offspring. Authorities seized 190 dogs from his property, marking the largest number ever taken from a single individual in a federal dogfighting case.
Johnson, who has a prior state conviction for dogfighting from 2004, is facing up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count. The FBI’s New Orleans Field Office investigated the case, with Sarah M. Brown, Ethan Eddy, and Todd W. Gleason from ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section leading the prosecution.
“Dog fighting is a vicious and cruel crime,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their hard work in this investigation.”
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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