Sign: Ex-NFL Player Charged in Massive Dog-Fighting Case—190 Dogs Seized

Published: April 02, 2025 at 10:02 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Broken Arrow, OklahomaLeshon Eugene Johnson, a former NFL running back, has been charged in a large-scale dog fighting operation in Oklahoma. According to a March 25 news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, 190 “pit bull type” dogs were seized from Johnson in October 2024. The federal agency commented on the size of Johnson’s cruel operation:

This is believed to be the largest number of dogs ever seized from a single person in a federal dog fighting case.

Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999. Although Johnson played for six seasons in the NFL, he turned his back on his honorable profession to embark in the dark, sadistic world of dog fighting, not once, but twice. In 2004 he pleaded guilty to dog fighting related charges at a state level for his involvement with Krazyside Kennels; he received a five-year deferred sentence for the 2004 charges.

The paltry sentence did little to deter Johnson from deciding to cruelly exploit dogs again, in an even larger operation. According to the Justice Department, Johnson “marketed and sold stud rights and offspring from winning fighting dogs to other dog fighters looking to incorporate the Mal Kant Kennels “bloodline” into their own dog fighting operations. His trafficking of fighting dogs to other dog fighters across the country contributed to the growth of the dog fighting industry and allowed Johnson to profit financially.”

Leshon Johnson bred dogs to fight, maim, and die. The dogs born into dog fighting life never stood a chance – they were thrown into pits to rip one another apart while depraved humans cheered them on.

U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma commented on the most recent bust:

“Dog fighting is a cruel, blood-thirsty venture, not a legitimate business or sporting activity. I applaud the investigative work of the FBI and the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in detecting and dismantling breeding operations which only serve to propagate this deplorable conduct.”

Dog fighting has no place in our society. If you are disgusted and horrified by the cruel exploitation of these innocent dogs, who are bred into a life of abhorrent violence, please add your name to the petition and help Animal Victory put this man away for as long as legally possible!

Target: Trial Attorney Sarah Brown and Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand Leshon Eugene Johnson be given the maximum sentencing for the charges stemming from his massive dog-fighting operation. This greedy, depraved man has shown his blatant disregard for the law, and his indifference to the pain and suffering he inflicted, and we demand that he be held accountable for his actions. We and our supporters insist that Leshon Johnson be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the 21-count federal indictment associated with the 2024 dog fighting raid. 

Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold this man accountable not only denies justice for the innocent dogs he forced into violence but also endangers the community at large. It is imperative that we send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

Note: Johnson made his first court appearance last week. If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty on each count of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Animal Victory is unaware of the fate of the 190 dogs seized from Johnson.

Case #6:25-CR-00012-JFH Leshon Eugene Johnson. Pretrial Conference set for 4/10/2025 at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1, Room 230, US Courthouse, 5th & Okmulgee, Muskogee, OK before District Judge John F. Heil III. Jury Instructions, Voir Dire, Trial Briefs and Stipulations due by 4/25/2025. Witness and Exhibit Lists, and three hard-copy exhibit binders due by 5/1/2025 at 4:00 p.m. Jury Trial set for 5/5/2025 at 8:45 a.m. in Courtroom 1, Room 230, US Courthouse, 5th & Okmulgee, Muskogee, OK before District Judge John F. Heil III, as to Leshon Eugene Johnson. 

News:

Justice Department Press Release

People

KOKO

Associated Press

NBC Sports

 

Ex-NFL Player Charged in Massive Dog-Fighting Case—190 Dogs Seized

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Latest Signatures
18,473 Matthew P. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,472 Brande B. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,471 Ingrid A. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,470 PAM E. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,469 Kim C. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,468Anonymous 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,467 Georgia J. Justice 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,466 Glenda M. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,465 Sherry B. Lock him up and throw away the key. We wonder why Pitt bulls get a “bad” rap and it’s because of despicable humans like him training and breeding the breed to be mean in order to just protect themselves. Let all 190 lose and rip him apart then we won’t need to see him in court multiple times for the same violation!!!! STOP the violence!!!! 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,464 Bobbie Z. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,463 Carole D. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,462 Bonnie P. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,461 Mary g. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,460Anonymous 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,459 Char T. Put him in prison for this terrible, abusive act. Never let him own another animal in his lifetime. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,458 Isabel C. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,457 Mary L. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,456 Liz S. Put him in jail. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,455 Steveigh R. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,454 Barbara H. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,453 Annette M. 0 Apr 25, 2025
18,452 Tiffany N. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,451 Lisa A. How dare you do this you should be a man with morals your monster if you don't feel for these animals you're a monster you make enough for money God bless those animals that were under your care in your possession 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,450 sylvia k. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,449 Stacy M. What a horrific act of cruelty. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,448Anonymous Please punish this man for his second blatant act of dog fighting. He got a tap on the wrist for the first dogfighting incidents so he feels he is above the law. Please put him in jail! 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,447Anonymous 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,446 Gerardo A. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,445 Gerardo A. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,444 Jim A. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,443 Rina E. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,442 Tim M. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,441 Ute K. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,440 Amitav D. There is a deeper societal and cultural issue that is hanging over this and must be addressed. Far too many athletes are involved in all kinds of violent behaviour. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,439 Verena S. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,438 Gisela v. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,437 yvette e. PROSECUTE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW!! 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,436 Yvonne v. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,435 Ana J. 0 Apr 24, 2025
18,434Anonymous One last fight. Put this disgrace to all living things in a confinement with all 190 pits. May he rot in hell. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,433 Jon R. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,432 Antonio R. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,431 Patricia P. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,430 Denise D. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,429 Anna H. Get Justice for those dogs abused and destroy the dog fighting establishments And give Criminal Penalties to the Owner/Owners 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,428 Adam P. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,427 Ira K. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,426 Lynn H. 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,425Anonymous 0 Apr 23, 2025
18,424Anonymous 0 Apr 23, 2025