Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been indicted in the largest bust of the dogfighting trade in U.S. history. Johnson not only organized dogfighting games but also ran a large-scale dog breeding operation for the games. Although the dogs were recovered from his property in October 2024, the former athlete was indicted early this year. The court records on his indictment were only unsealed this month. Meanwhile, this is not Johnson’s first rodeo with dogfighting and conviction of the same.
LeShon Johnson Indicted By Grand Jury
Former NFL player LeShon Eugene Johnson faces a tough legal battle as a grand jury indicted him. After the federal bust, authorities rescued 190 pit bulls from his properties in Broken Arrow and Hasken, Oklahoma. They claim it is the largest dogfighting bust in American history. Federal authorities retrieved the animals under the Animal Welfare Act. LeShon Johnson has been indicted on 21 charges of running a large-scale operation.
The jury indicted him for running a breeding and trafficking operation called “Mal Kant Kennels” for sale to other dogfighting rings. He also trained fighting pit bulls for himself. Evidence that led to his indictment included text messages, a Facebook page, emails of sales and pedigrees of the dogs, and CashApp history. The Oklahoma native was indicted in January, according to court records. However, he was arrested this week in Muskogee, after which the court unsealed his records.
LeShon Johnson Raised Champion Dogs
This is not the first time the former athlete has been charged with similar crimes. He pleaded guilty to state charges in 2004. In a clip Onsiteobtained, he got a 5-year probation for the felony. The grand jury that indicted LeShon Johnson found that he raised “grand champion” and “champion” fighting canines. Grand champion dogs won at least five fights, while champion dogs won at least three. Meanwhile, one of Johnson’s pit bulls, Hogg, won an unusually high number of fights–eight.
According to prosecutors, Hogg’s record was strange because dog fights usually lead to mortal wounds. Other strong fighters included War Pony and Boot Stomper. Meanwhile, LeShon Johson also bred victorious dogs to create offspring with fighting traits and sold the breeding rights nationwide. He also sold the “stud rights” of champion dogs.
DOJ Speaks About LeShon Johnson Indictment
Top-level Department of Justice (DOJ) members have commented on LeShon Johnson getting indicted. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement per Fox News, “Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment. 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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also reiterated the FBI’s commitment to keeping America safe and condemned Johnson’s actions. He said the bureau views animal cruelty cases as a way to fight organized crime, including trafficking and murder. “The FBI will not tolerate criminals that harm innocent animals for their twisted form of entertainment,” he said in a statement. Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson added that the bust and Johnson’s arrest rescued almost 200 dogs “destined for a cruel end. “It disrupts a major source of dogs used in other dog fighting ventures.”
After the jury indicted him, he faces five years in prison for each count and a $250,000 fine. Although his indictment is not an automatic guilty verdict, it will be difficult to wiggle out of this legal battle.
#Clique, what do you think about LeShon Johnson’s dogfighting indictment? Let us know in the comments.
