Johnson was a resident of Broken Arrow, where his business also operated. He was a running back for several teams during his five seasons in the NFL.

Federal investigators said that they had seized 190 pit-bull-type dogs from the former running back, who previously pleaded guilty to state dogfighting charges in 2004.

Former NIU All-American LeShon Johnson was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 similar counts.