By John Dobberstein, Editor
MUSKOGEE — LeShon Johnson, the former NFL player accused for the second time in two decades of operating a major dogfighting enterprise, gave a thumbs-up Tuesday but declined to comment after appearing in federal court in Muskogee with his attorney.
Johnson gave a thumbs up and responded, “No, I’m good,” as he was leaving U.S. District Court in Muskogee when asked by a KOTV news reporter if he had any comment on the allegations. His attorney, Courtney Jordan, also declined comment.
The former star running back at Haskell High School and Northern Illinois University was charged last week with possessing 190 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.
Federal authorities seized the dogs from Johnson in October 2024 as authorized under the Animal Welfare Act. This is believed to be the largest number of dogs ever seized from a single person in a federal dog fighting case.
Prosecutors said Johnson, 54, was allegedly running and profiting from dogfighting enterprises in Broken Arrow and Haskell through Mal Kant Kennels. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial has been tentatively set for May 5.
‘Broad Spectrum’
Jordan has asked U.S. District Judge John Heil III to move back the trial date due to the “broad spectrum of evidence to be reviewed.” Jordan filed a motion Tuesday to declare the case “complex” because of the diversity of physical, digital and animal evidence.
Among the evidence provided to Johnson’s lawyer include photographs and veterinary reports for the seized dogs; 700 photos from search warrants; 425 Cash App payment items; about 3,500 pages of content from Johnson’s email account; two recorded phone calls; text messages, photographs and videos from defendant’s phone; 3,100 pages of messages and material from Johnson’s Facebook account; 450 pages of documents and 24 website pages pertaining to Johnson’s dogs.
For the government to get a conviction prosecutors must, according to Jordan, prove Johnson acted “knowingly” and with the specific “purpose” of having the dogs participate in an animal fighting venture. “This will be challenging and will involve establishing Johnson’s knowledge of the dogs’ intended use and demonstrating the Johnson’s involvement in breeding, training or supplying dogs for fighting,” Jordan’s motion said.
Jordan also filed a motion requesting a “Dauber hearing” regarding expert witnesses prosecutors plan to call on at trial. At those hearings a judge determines the admissibility of expert testimony, ensuring the scientific reasoning behind it is reliable and valid
One issue is the fate of the dogs that were seized last October. Through an attorney last November, Johnson protested any suggestions that he forfeit the dogs, and he again protested last week after his indictment, according to court records. The dogs are being cared for out of state.
More details emerge
Johnson and 30 others were hit with a variety of charges related to dogfighting in 2004 after dozens of dogs were seized from Johnson’s possession at his residence in Tulsa and other locations. Johnson, according to court records, previously ran “Krazyside Kennels,” also out of Oklahoma, which led to his guilty plea on state animal fighting charges in 2005.
Initially the charges included engaging in a continuing criminal racketeering enterprise; conspiracy to commit a felony; owning, possessing or keeping or training a dog for fighting; instigating or encouraging a dogfight; servicing or facilitating a dogfight; and cruelty to animals.
Some of the most serious charges were dropped against Johnson, and he pleaded guilty to the remaining charges a year later. He received only a deferred sentence of 5 years and was ordered to pay more than $8,000 in restitution.
Records published online describe an even earlier involvement with Johnson in dogfighting. The Journal of Animal Law & Ethics published an analysis in 2009 stating that on Feb. 12, 2000, an Osage County deputy learned of a pit bull fight on property owned by LeShon Johnson, who was then a running back for the New York Giants.
When police arrived at a barn where the dog fighting was allegedly occurring, Johnson claimed he did not know what occurred in the barn, but that people had previously brought their animals to “show and sell.”
Fourteen people received spectator citations. The county attorney deferred prosecution against Johnson on condition he dispose of his dogs and stay away from dog fights, according to online records.
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