LeShon Johnson sentenced to five years for dog fighting

Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for operating a large-scale dog-fighting operation in Oklahoma. Johnson, 55, was convicted on six federal felonies, including possessing, selling, and transporting dogs for use in animal-fighting ventures.

Operating under the name Mal Kant Kennels since at least 2007, Johnson allegedly bred pit bulls specifically for fighting traits, marketing dogs as “champion” and “grand champion” fighters. The operation reportedly generated hundreds of thousands of dollars through the sale of dogs and stud fees. Authorities seized 190 dogs from Johnson’s property, marking the largest number of animals ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog-fighting investigation.

This marks Johnson’s second conviction for similar conduct, following a state-level dog-fighting conviction in Oklahoma in 2004. In addition to his prison term, Johnson was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $30,000 fine. Johnson’s professional football career included stints with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants, as well as the XFL’s Chicago Enforcers.