FBI Arrests Former NFL Star for Running Dog Fighting Operation
LeShon Johnson, a former NFL running back, now faces 21 federal charges after the FBI seized 190 pit bulls in what officials call the largest dogfighting ring bust in US history. 190 pit bulls were seized from Johnson’s Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, property, making it the largest seizure from a single person in US history. Johnson reportedly bred “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs with names like Hogg, War Pony, and Boot Stomper. This is not Johnson’s first brush with dogfighting charges—he previously pled guilty to similar charges at the state level in 2004.
From NFL Field to Federal Charges
LeShon Eugene Johnson, once known for his runs on the football field, now finds himself at the center of what prosecutors call the largest dogfighting operation bust in federal history. The former NFL running back has been indicted on 21 charges related to breeding and trafficking fighting dogs. According to federal investigators, Johnson operated “Mal Kant Kennels” from his property in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where he allegedly bred and trained pit bulls specifically for fighting competitions across the United States.
The Justice Department’s indictment details how Johnson allegedly raised dogs to become “champions” and “grand champions” in the illegal fighting world. In dogfighting terminology, a “champion” designation requires three victories in fights, while a “grand champion” must win at least five matches. Officials report that one of Johnson’s dogs, named “Hogg,” had an astounding record of eight wins – particularly notable given that many fighting dogs suffer mortal injuries that prevent such extended “careers.”
Record-Breaking Seizure
The investigation culminated in the seizure of 190 pit bulls from Johnson’s property – a number that officials confirm represents the largest confiscation from a single individual in U.S. history. The dogs, many bearing physical and psychological scars of their treatment, were allegedly being bred, trained, and sold specifically for fighting. Johnson’s operation reportedly extended well beyond Oklahoma, with the indictment claiming he sold breeding rights for his “champion” dogs to buyers throughout the country.
“Animal abuse is cruel, depraved, and deserves severe punishment. The Department of Justice will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law and will remain committed to protecting innocent animals from those who would do them harm.” Attorney General Pam Bondi
The charges against Johnson represent a significant blow to what authorities describe as a nationwide underground network of illegal dog fighting. Animal welfare experts note that operations like the one Johnson allegedly ran serve as breeding grounds that fuel dog fighting across multiple states. Federal prosecutors have indicated that the investigation remains active, suggesting possible connections to other individuals and operations across state lines.
A Pattern of Illegal Activity
This is not Johnson’s first encounter with authorities over dog fighting. Court records show he previously pled guilty to similar charges at the state level in 2004, raising questions about how he was able to allegedly rebuild and expand his operation in the years since. The current federal charges carry significantly more severe potential penalties, reflecting both the scale of the operation uncovered and the Justice Department’s increased focus on animal fighting as a form of organized crime.
Johnson’s football career, which included stints with the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers in the 1990s, has now been overshadowed by these serious allegations. The case highlights the disturbing reality that illegal dog fighting continues to persist despite federal laws criminalizing the practice. Animal welfare advocates point to the case as evidence of the need for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for those involved in organized animal fighting operations.
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.
For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, “How shall we return?”
Do Not Rob God
Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings! You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.
God wants to have a relationship with all of us. He wants to be the number one person we come to when we run into problems, when we are scared, or when we need someone to talk to. God gives us the tools we need to reach out to Him and create that dialog. However, sometimes, we choose to turn to other options. We forget that God is there for us, and we feel He doesn't have time for us or any number of excuses.
In these moments, we are turned away from God, and He is trying to get our attention. God wants to help us, ease our pain, and be a resource. God may speak to us softly during prayer or scream from the rooftops, trying to get us to notice Him. There are many ways God reaches out to us that we sometimes ignore or brush off completely. Is God calling out to you and trying to get your attention? Here are the eight signs He is.
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Through symbolism.
Knowing the signs He's trying to tell you something and how to discern those messages are imperative in order to live the life God wants for us. Jesus may be trying to reach you to encourage you back on a spiritual course. It's important to tune out the commotion, if only for a few moments each day, in order to hear His voice. One of the ways God may be trying to get your attention is through pictures and symbols. Did an image or something symbolic come out of nowhere? You might have accidentally brushed it off as something else, but it could be God. When The Holy Spirit steers your focus somewhere and then speaks spiritually through the moment, listen carefully.
Through people.
Another way God brings us guidance is through people messengers. The Lord will use family, close friends and even total strangers to speak a word into your life that will pierce an area God is trying to deal with. Sometimes, a random person you meet will mention something that you desperately need to hear or know that you wouldn't have otherwise heard had you not come across their path. God can use these people to bring you the gospel and give you solid advice. These people want the best for you, and God will choose people that you trust to really deliver important messages. Rely on your friends during the dark times. If you are feeling divinely guided by someone, God might be trying to get your attention.
Direction.
Do you feel the Lord is leading you in a certain direction? It might seem that He told you to start your own business or write a book. You'll soon start noticing more and more trends or patterns of occurrences pushing you in that direction. This might be what God has planned for your life. If you aren't sure, simply ask Him! He will continue to provide you with the clues. God not only opens our ears but also seals instruction so that we are notified of our faults, counseled in the wrong direction and instructed on the best ways to move forward from these circumstances. The Bible tells us, "He may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings" (Job 33:16). We can learn a lot through these instructions. We just have to be open to listening to what He is saying.
Increase of internal momentum.
Your spirit begins to engage and respond to the voice and Will of God. You will begin to feel internally motivated to understand God's direction, advice or warning. When you feel your heart pulling your brain a certain way, consider it being God's hand in your life. He can give you the energy to move in a specific way. We aren't always open to hearing God's voice because, most of the time, with our busy and hectic schedules, we close our ears and don't take the time to feel the Holy Spirit tugging at our hearts. While God can speak to us when we set aside time for prayer and meditation, He also speaks to us sometimes when it's inconvenient, like the times when you can barely hear yourself think.
Deeper spiritual sensitivity.
In addition to more energy, your spiritual sensitivity will heighten and engage in deeper understanding. Simple activities, like watching a movie or TV show, will speak to you in different ways that have the depth of meaning others might not get. God might be blessing you with knowledge and wisdom you didn't even know you had. This is one of His ways to get your attention. Developing deeper spiritual sensitivity is important to God because He wants you to take your spiritual walk seriously. Second Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." If we focus our attention on God, our spiritual sensitivity will grow.
Feelings of uneasiness.
On the flip side, God might make you feel that something is just not right, and you have no sense of peace. If you feel like something is off, God might be trying to get your attention. There's a feeling of overall uneasiness in your life. Sometimes, distraction can deafen our ears to the voice of The Holy Spirit. In this case, the absence of peace is a loud and clear sign that God is trying to get you to pay more attention to Him. Feeling uneasy can provide us with great clarity. We must trust that God is with us in these moments of uneasiness. It's also imperative that we trust in God when we're not sure what direction to take.
Pushing out of your comfort zone.
It is normal for us to create our comfort zones and want to stay in that comfort zone, but there comes a point in our lives when it's important to step out of our comfort zones. We begin to do this during times of transition, growth and transformation. Yes, God does and can come after our comfort zones to get through to us. If you're experiencing transition or life change, ask God to speak to you and give Him your undivided attention. If you feel He is trying to push you out of the box you've stuck yourself in, don't push back. Instead, let yourself open up to these new experiences. These life changes might be a big part of His plan for you.
God's beckoning always requires a response and almost always requires a change in our lives. This is why we try to ignore Him; change is the last thing we want to do. One thing is for sure: the reward of obedience is far better than staying where you are. It's important to remember that listening to God begins with a genuine desire to hear from Him. God has spoken to us through those who were inspired to write the words of Scripture. His Word is still going forth and speaking to us. Our choice is whether or not we will heed the message of Bible verses about listening to God and listen to those around us who are speaking His Word.
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