Former NFL Star Busted as FBI Uncovers Massive Dog Fighting Operation, 190 Pit Bulls Seized [WATCH]

LeShon Johnson, a former running back for the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals, was arrested as part of the largest dog fighting crackdown in FBI history.

The 54-year-old Johnson is facing multiple charges related to the federal Animal Welfare Act, with specific violations involving the possession, sale, and transportation of 190 pit bulls and other dogs bred for dog fighting.

: Former NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls.

It’s the largest bust of its kind in US history.

(via @TMZ) pic.twitter.com/4XsAwX1BXr

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 26, 2025

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Johnson, who was charged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, had his property raided by federal authorities in October 2024.

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During the raid, 190 canines were seized, including pit bulls and dogs similar to them, which were allegedly intended for use in illegal dog fighting activities.

“This case highlights the cruelty of animal abuse, which is depraved and deserving of the harshest punishment,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement.

“The Department of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law and will continue to stand firm in its commitment to protecting innocent animals from harm.”

Johnson’s involvement in dog fighting goes beyond simple participation.

According to authorities, he ran kennels under at least two names and bred dogs for use in dog fighting rings across the country, profiting from this illegal and violent enterprise.

The former NFL player was drafted in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.

Over his five-year career, which also included stints with the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, Johnson rushed for 955 yards and five touchdowns.

However, his post-football career took a dark turn as he became deeply involved in the criminal dog fighting industry.

FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the case, saying, “The FBI will not tolerate criminals that harm innocent animals for their twisted form of entertainment. 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.”

The investigation into Johnson’s activities is part of a broader effort by the FBI to target those involved in violent criminal enterprises, especially those linked to organized crime.

The FBI has stressed that such investigations often uncover connections to other forms of criminal activity, underscoring the seriousness with which they treat cases involving animal cruelty.

EXCLUSIVE – I spoke with a person who says they were one of the people who tipped off the feds…. Also here are just some of the pictures, I’m told, the feds used to build their case against Leshon Eugene Johnson, 51, a former NFL player from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

From the… pic.twitter.com/7zIeNZJqtq

— Paul Mueller (@RealPaulMueller) March 27, 2025

If convicted, Johnson faces significant legal consequences, including a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

The case is being closely monitored as part of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to combat animal abuse and dismantle networks of illegal activity tied to dog fighting and other forms of cruelty.

The seizure of 190 dogs in this case marks a significant moment in the FBI’s continued commitment to addressing animal cruelty, with Johnson’s arrest serving as a clear warning to others involved in the illegal dog fighting trade.

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