LeShon Johnson, once a promising running back drafted in 1994 by the Green Bay Packers, with stints at the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, has now become the central figure in what the Justice Department calls possibly the largest federal dog-fighting case in U.S. history.
Following a multi-day federal trial in Oklahoma, Johnson, age 54, was convicted last week on six felony counts for violations of the Animal Welfare Act–specifically for possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals intended for fighting ventures. These convictions mark a shocking departure from the days he thrilled football fans with his explosive bursts on the field.
‘Mal Kant Kennels’: Allegations of a Breeding Empire
Court documents and prosecutors allege that Johnson operated a dog-fighting enterprise under the name “Mal Kant Kennels”, based in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. The scheme involved the selective breeding of pit bull–type dogs–some designated “champion” or “grand champion” for their success in fights–to sell both breeding rights and offspring to other participants in the dog-fighting underworld.
The scale of the operation was staggering. In a raid conducted last October, law enforcement seized 190 pit bull–type dogs. Authorities describe this seizure as the largest number of dogs ever confiscated from a single individual in a federal dog-fighting case.
Facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison per count along with a fine of up to $250,000 per count, Johnson’s sentencing could result in decades behind bars and massive financial penalties.
During the trial, Johnson’s defense acknowledged his role as a dog breeder but pushed back against the notion that he knowingly supported or facilitated dogfighting. His attorney emphasized that Johnson was “simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier” and noted that the jury acquitted him on 17 other similar counts, highlighting that the prosecution failed to prove all allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Law Enforcement Speaks Out
The Department of Justice and FBI have condemned Johnson’s actions. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called his crimes “vile,” commending law enforcement efforts:
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals … 190 dogs are now safe thanks to outstanding collaborative work.”
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the sentiment:
“The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting … those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”
Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson and U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson further underscored the Justice Department’s commitment to “aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting and to disrupting this illegal and inhumane industry.”
A Star’s Legacy Tainted
Johnson once lit up college football as a standout at Northern Illinois–rushing for nearly 2,000 yards in 1993 and finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, and then earned a third-round selection in the NFL draft. Off the field, he overcame a lymphoma diagnosis in 1998 and returned to play again with the Giants, earning admiration for his resilience.
Yet these convictions cast a long shadow over that legacy. A former professional athlete with national recognition now finds himself stripped of credibility, facing the harsh reality of criminal justice in a case that underscores how quickly a fall from grace can come–particularly when it involves cruelty and profit at the expense of voiceless animals.
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