Former NFL RB LeShon Johnson is dealing with years behind bars for allegedly operating a large canine preventing operation … marking the largest bust of its form in U.S. historical past.

The Division of Justice introduced a 21-count indictment towards Johnson — who performed six seasons within the NFL — accusing the 54-year-old of possessing 190 “pit bull-type canines” for “use in an animal preventing enterprise.”

The DOJ says the animals, from Johnson’s “Mal Kant Kennels” in Oklahoma, had been seized in October 2024 — in what the Feds say was the most important canine preventing bust in historical past.

Johnson, partially, is accused of strategically breeding “champion” pits — animals that gained a number of fights towards different canines, to supply offspring that might additionally combat.

The case even caught the eye of the nation’s prime legislation enforcement official, Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi, who heads the Dept. of Justice.

“Animal abuse is merciless, wicked, and deserves extreme punishment,” Bondi mentioned. “The Division of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the legislation and can stay dedicated to defending harmless animals from those that would do them hurt.”

Federal Bureau of Investigation honcho Kash Patel additionally weighed in on Johnson’s indictments.

“The FBI is not going to tolerate criminals that hurt harmless animals for his or her twisted type of leisure,” Patel mentioned.

“The FBI views animal cruelty investigations as a precursor to bigger, organized crime efforts, much like trafficking and homicides. That is yet one more push within the FBI’s crackdown of violent offenders harming our most harmless.”

Johnson made his preliminary court docket look final week. He is dealing with as much as 5 years in jail for every depend he is charged with committing … that means he might doubtlessly do many years in jail, if convicted. He is additionally dealing with a six-figure nice.

This is not LeShon’s first run-in with the legislation over canine preventing. Again in 2004, he pled responsible to state animal preventing costs for his position in operating “Krazyside Kennels.” He acquired a deferred sentence.

Johnson’s soccer profession began at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Faculty, after which with the Northern Illinois Huskies … the place he grew to become the fifth all-time rush chief on the college. He was a 1993 Heisman Trophy candidate.

LJ was chosen within the third spherical of the 1994 NFL Draft and performed for the Packers, Cardinals, and Giants. Johnson recorded 955 speeding yards and 7 speeding touchdowns as a professional.