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Johnson, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has been
charged with possessing the pit bull-type dogs for use in an
animal fighting venture and for selling, transporting, and
delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture, the
department said Tuesday.
The dogs were taken from Johnson in October 2024. He allegedly
ran the dogfighting operation “Mal Kant Kennels” in Broken Arrow
and Haskell, Oklahoma, according to court documents.
“Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe
punishment,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.
“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.”
Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting
charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred
sentence, according to court documents.
Johnson's lawyer, Courtney R. Jordan, declined to comment on the
case.
Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights
and then sold “stud rights” and their offspring to other
dogfighters. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and
helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in
Johnson profiting financially, according to the Justice
Department.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison on each
count and a $250,000 fine.
“The FBI will not tolerate criminals that harm innocent animals
for their twisted form of entertainment,” FBI Director Kash
Patel said in a statement. “The FBI views animal cruelty
investigations as a precursor to larger, organized crime
efforts, similar to trafficking and homicides. This is yet
another push in the FBI’s crackdown of violent offenders harming
our most innocent.”
Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers,
Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.
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