The former NFL corridor, Leshon Johnson, was accused in a federal case of dog fights after 190 dogs of him seized him last year.
The Department of Justice announced in a press release this week that the United States District Court for the East District of Oklahoma revealed the accusation of the grand jury that accuses Johnson for violating the Federal Animal Welfare Law.
Johnson, who made his appearance in the initial court last week, is accused of “possessing 190 Pit Bull Dogs for use in a company to fight against animals and for selling, transporting and delivering a dog for use in a company to fight against animals,” according to the press release.
It faces 21 counts. If it is convicted, it faces a maximum fine of five years in prison and a fine of $ 250,000 for each charge.
“Animal abuse is cruel, depraved and deserves severe punishment,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in a statement. “The Department of Justice will process this case to the maximum extension of the law and will continue to protect innocent animals from those who would harm them.”
The dogs were seized from Johnson last October. The Justice Department said it is believed that the number of dogs is the largest ever taken from a single person in a federal case.
Johnson, 54, was arrested on March 20 and was released on bail, according to multiple media that cited judicial records.
Previously he declared guilty of state positions to fight animals in 2004.
Johnson’s lawyer, Courtney R. Jordan, declined to comment on Associated Press on the case.
Johnson was a third round of the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 draft and also played for the Arizona cardinals and the New York giants in his NFL career. He played in 62 games, running for 955 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.
