Oklahoma man, former NFL running back, faces federal charges in massive dogfighting case

A former NFL running back from Oklahoma has been charged after 190 dogs were seized from an alleged dogfighting and trafficking venture in Broken Arrow.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, LeShon Johnson, 54, made his initial appearance in court last week and has been charged with possessing 190 pit bull-type dogs for animal fighting, selling, transporting and delivering.

Johnson is a former running back in the National Football League. He was a third-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1994 and played for the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants in subsequent seasons. He retired from the league in 1999.

All the dogs were seized from Johnson's custody in October 2024 under the Animal Welfare Act, according to a news release from the DOJ.

“Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in the news release. “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.”

Nearly 200 dogs seized in dogfighting operation

The operation was known as Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell. According to the court documents, Johnson also previously ran "Krazyside Kennels" and pleaded guilty to dog fighting in 2005.

Since then, it is alleged that Johnson selectively bred "champion" and "grand champion" fighting dogs, classified after winning three or five fights, to produce offspring with like-fighting traits and abilities, according to court documents.

The trafficking reached dog fighters across the country, contributing to the growth of the dog fighting industry, according to the DOJ, which alleges Johnson was able to make a financial profit.

Federal law states it is illegal to fight dogs in organized ways that affect interstate commerce and to have dogs for possessing, training, transporting, delivering, selling, purchasing or receiving associated with fighting purposes.

“Dogfighting is perhaps the most sickening form of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy in a news release. “The scale of cruelty in this case is jarring to the core, and I commend the FBI and the DOJ for their hard, life-saving work.”

Comparison to Michael Vick, other dogfighting charges in NFL

Having played in the mid to late 1990s, Johnson's NFL career predated Michael Vick, who pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges in 2007. Seeing how Vick was prosecuted for his charges has left some animal activists wondering why things haven't changed.

"After the Michael Vick case, I thought the lessons would spill over to convince others — especially high-profile athletes — not to participate in this bloodsport. I was wrong. That’s why we need new and tougher legislation and government response," Pacelle said.

An attorney for the defense declined to comment on the charges.

If convicted, Johnson will face a maximum penalty of five years and a $250,000 fine for each count. The FBI’s Shreveport Resident Agency office is investigating the case.

(This story was updated to include new information.)