GREEN BAY − Former Green Bay Packers running back, LeShon Johnson, has been detained and is facing charges for allegedly operating a dog fighting and trafficking enterprise. This operation, described by the Justice Department as the most extensive federal dog fighting crackdown on record, led to the confiscation of nearly 200 pit bulls under Johnson’s care in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Johnson, aged 54, stands accused of several infractions of the federal Animal Welfare Act, as detailed in a recently unveiled grand jury indictment from a U.S. district court in Oklahoma’s eastern district. All the canines were taken into federal custody in October 2024, in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, stated a DOJ press release.

“Animal cruelty is inhumane, despicable, and warrants harsh penalties,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi remarked in the statement. “The Department of Justice intends to prosecute this case to its fullest potential and will continue to be dedicated to safeguarding innocent animals from those intent on harming them.”

Court records reveal that Johnson managed at least two dog fighting rings, named “Mal Kant Kennels,” in Haskell, his birthplace, and his residence in Broken Arrow. Previously, Johnson operated “Krazyside Kennels” and admitted guilt to dog fighting charges in 2005. The DOJ release indicated that the trafficking network extended to dog fighters nationwide, fueling the dog fighting industry, and allowing Johnson to profit financially.

Johnson was chosen by the Packers in the third round of the 1994 NFL draft, coming out of Northern Illinois, and played five seasons in the NFL. He participated in only 14 games over two seasons with the Packers before concluding his career with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.

Notably, during his second season, Johnson and rookie teammate Travis Jervey famously bought a pet lion, housing it in their shared residence in Green Bay, naming it Nala after “The Lion King.” If found guilty, Johnson might face a maximum sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine for each charge. The case is being probed by the FBI’s Shreveport Resident Agency office.