Ex-Packers, Cardinals player sentenced to prison for dogfighting operation

SportsFormer NFL running back Leshon Johnson was sentenced to five years in prison after he was convicted of running a dogfighting operation, the Department of Justice announced. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Allsport/Getty Images) Getty ImagesFormer NFL running back Leshon Johnson was sentenced to five years in prison after he was convicted on federal dogfighting charges in Oklahoma.Johnson ran a business named “Mal Kant Kennels,” where he bred and trafficked hundreds of dogs across the country for the purpose of dogfighting, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Authorities seized 190 dogs from Johnson’s property, the most ever from a single individual in a federal dog fighting investigation, per DOJ. Johnson was convicted on six charges, including three counts of possessing a dog for use in an animal fighting venture; two counts of selling a dog for use in an animal fighting venture; and one count of sale, transport and delivery of a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.Johnson would advertise his dogs as “champions” or “grand champions,” if they won three or five fights, respectively, according to the release. He sold litters of puppies and “stud fees” for breeding fights with his male dogs, authorities said.In addition to prison time, Johnson was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine and serve three years of supervised release.Johnson, 55, previously pleaded guilty in 2004 in Oklahoma to dogfighting charges for operating a business named “Krazyside Kennels,” according to the release.“LeShon Johnson will face justice for building another particularly egregious and violent dog fighting scheme,” Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said in the release. “As Johnson was well aware, dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states. To anyone attempting to build violent and illicit business schemes: you can run, but you can’t hide from the Department of Justice.” Johnson played five seasons in the NFL from 1994-1999 for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. He was drafted out of Northern Illinois by the Packers in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft. Johnson’s best career year came with the Cardinals in 1996, when he had 141 rush attempts for 634 yards and three touchdowns, along with 15 catches for 175 yards and one touchdown. He finished his career with 253 rush attempts, 955 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in 62 games, including 12 starts. He also had 43 receptions for 434 yards and two touchdowns.Zach Mentz is Trending Sports Reporter for cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer and its parent company, Advance Local. His past interviews include NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, Heisman Trophy winner Ricky...