LeShon Johnson, a former NFL running back who played one season with the Giants, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. This operation was labeled a “major operation” by the Justice Department.
Alongside his prison term, Johnson will also undergo three years of supervised release and pay a $30,000 fine after being convicted on six dogfighting-related charges.
In August 2025, Johnson was found guilty of breaking the federal Animal Welfare Act, which prohibits the possession, sale, transport, and delivery of animals for fighting purposes.
Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. commented, “LeShon Johnson will face justice for building another particularly egregious and violent dog fighting scheme. 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.”
Authorities confiscated 190 dogs from Johnson’s property, marking the largest seizure of its kind in a federal dog fighting case. They reported that Johnson had been managing a “major operation” since at least 2007, breeding and selling fighting dogs for profit.
Johnson allegedly operated under the name Mal Kant Kennels in Oklahoma. Federal prosecutors stated in a 2025 news release that he marketed and sold breeding rights and offspring from successful fighting dogs to other enthusiasts seeking to incorporate the Mal Kant Kennels bloodline into their operations.
Between 1994 and 1999, Johnson played in the NFL and had previously pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges in an Oklahoma state court in 2004.
Billy Coyle IV, Johnson’s attorney, informed ESPN that a final decision on appealing the sentencing is pending, although he has advised Johnson to file an appeal.
During his five-year NFL career, Johnson played for the Packers, Cardinals, and spent his final season with the Giants. He concluded his professional football career in the XFL.
