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Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the dogfighting probe of his property in Virginia. The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dogfighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons. The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others -- Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor -- also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges. According to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Virginia: "If convicted on the Travel Act portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution. If convicted on the animal fighting venture portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking recovery of any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of these offenses." Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, were not immediately returned. A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother said the family knew nothing about the charges. According to the indictment, dog fights were held at several locations in other parts of Virginia as well as North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and New Jersey. The indictment says a purse was set for each fight, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. There were also side bets made. The indictment also claims that in the summer of 2002, at various times, Peace, Phillips, Taylor and Vick performed "testing" sessions at the property in Smithfield. After the testing, the indictment says, dogs that performed poorly were put to death by Peace, Phillips or Taylor. In April 2007, the indictment says, an additional "testing" session was performed by Peace, Phillips and Vick. Afterward, it claims eight dogs were hanged, drowned and/or slammed to the ground and killed. "We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts." On July 7, federal authorities conducted a second search of the Surry, Va., property owned by Vick that is the center of the dogfighting investigation. According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier after that search, dogfights have been sponsored by "Bad Newz Kennels" at the property since at least 2002. Fifty-four pit bulls were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said. During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls they allege were killed by members of Bad Newz Kennels after testing sessions. On Vick's Web site, he lists his birthplace as Newport News, "a.k.a. BadNews." The documents said the fights usually occurred late at night or in the early morning and would last several hours. Before fights, participating dogs of the same sex would be weighed and bathed, according to the filings. Opposing dogs would be washed to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat that could affect the other dog's performance. Sometimes, a dog wouldn't be fed to "make it more hungry for the other dog." Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which sometimes was put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gunshot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents. Vick initially said he had no idea the property might have been used in a criminal enterprise and blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity. Vick has since declined to talk about the investigation. ESPN reporter Kelly Naqi and The Associated Press contributed to this report |
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Originally Posted by JerseyDevil
Maybe in the future when Vick has one of his typical sub-par losing performances, Arthur Blank (owner of the Falcons) should put Vick "to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gunshot, electrocution or some other method" because he lost. Fucking asshole.
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
Welp Vick's Buddy pleaded guilty.
But don't worry the NAACP will be there to bring up a racial issue for Vick. |
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
It sounds like Vick is royally fucked.
The Feds are leaving no stones unturned. What a fucktard. |
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Originally Posted by dg806
One of his buddies pleaded guilty yesterday and is assiting the feds in their case. He even told them how Vick financed the whole operation. He's going down big time for sure. Question is, how much time will he spend in the big house?
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Originally Posted by P-funk
I wonder where Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are on this one? It seems odd to me that a famous black man is being acused of a crime and they are no where to be found. Unless they are plotting something big!
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
LOL, it will only be a matter of time.
The NAACP was trying to say this was a racial thing, and that Vick had done nothing to damage the Atlanta Falcons or the NFL in comparison to the NBA ref who was betting on games. But he was white, so nobody cares LOL What a load of shit. |
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Originally Posted by P-funk
little to none. Money will get him out of everything. That is how it all works. He may never play football again. But, he wont go to prison either.
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Originally Posted by cnn
The president the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP criticized the prosecution of Vick at a news conference Monday morning. Dr. R.L. White, Jr., accused the government of "piling on."
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
Guilty plea entered today.
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Vick agrees to plead guilty to dogfighting charges By LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press Writer August 20, 2007 Mike Brazell, center, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), talks to reporters about Michael Vick outside the U.S. courthouse in downtown Richmond, Va., Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. Vick's lawyer said Monday the NFL star will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a possible prison term. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson summoned reporters camped outside the courthouse into a courtroom to inform them of the scheduled plea hearing next week. AP - Aug 20, 4:28 pm EDT More Photos RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- More than football, Michael Vick's freedom is the question now. With three associates prepared to testify that he brutally executed dogs and bankrolled gambling, the NFL star agreed Monday to "accept full responsibility" for his role in a dogfighting ring and plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges. Worries about playing time will have to wait while Vick faces prison time -- from one to five years. The maximum term is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although federal sentencing guidelines likely would call for less. Defense attorneys would not divulge details of the plea agreement or how much time Vick can expect to serve. However, a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms are not final, told The Associated Press that prosecutors will recommend a sentence of a year to 18 months. The official said such a sentence would be more than what is usually recommended for first-time offenders, reflecting the government's attempt to show that animal abusers will receive more than a slap on the wrist. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson is not bound by prosecutors' recommendations or the sentencing guidelines and will have the final say. Twenty-five days after he declared that he looked forward to clearing his name, Vick said through defense lawyer Billy Martin that he will plead guilty. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27. "Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made," Martin said in a statement. "Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter." The NFL noted in a statement that the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's admission wasn't in line with what he told commissioner Roger Goodell shortly after being charged. "We totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons," the NFL said. The league, which barred Vick from training camp, said it has asked the Falcons to withhold further action while the NFL's own investigation wraps up. The Falcons said they were "certainly troubled" by news of the plea, but would withhold further comment in compliance with Goodell's request. Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said in a statement: "We believe the criminal conduct to which Mr. Vick has pled guilty today cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Speaking personally, as I have previously stated, the practice of dog fighting is offensive and completely unacceptable. I can only hope that Mr. Vick, who is young man, will learn from this awful experience." Media reporters and a demonstrator, right, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), gather outside the U.S. courthouse in downtown Richmond, Va., Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. Michael Vick's lawyer said Monday the NFL star will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a possible prison term. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson summoned reporters camped outside the courthouse into a courtroom to inform them of the scheduled plea hearing next week. AP - Aug 20, 4:27 pm EDT More Photos In a telephone interview with the AP, Martin said Vick is paying a high price for allowing old friends to influence his behavior, but he emphasized that his client takes full responsibility. "There were some judgment issues in terms of people he was associating with," Martin said. "He realized this is very serious, and he decided to plead so he can begin the healing process." The lawyer said salvaging Vick's NFL career was never part of the discussions. "Football is not the most important thing in Michael Vick's life," Martin said. "He wants to get his life back on track." Another defense attorney, James D. "Butch" Williams Jr., alluded to the harsh public backlash against Vick since the July 17 indictment detailed the abuse of dogs on Vick's property in Surry County, Va. "Michael is a father, he's a son, he's a human being -- people oftentimes forget that," he said, adding that Vick is "very remorseful." "Nobody's been rougher on Mike than Mike's been on himself," Williams said. Animal-rights activists said they hoped the high-profile case would increase public awareness and help bring down other dogfighting rings. "The only good that can come from this case is that the American people dedicate themselves to the task of rooting out dogfighting in every infected area where it thrives," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. The plea deal was announced just as a new grand jury began meeting. Prosecutors had said that a superseding indictment was in the works, but Vick's plea most likely means he will not face new charges on top of the original: conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. Three of Vick's original co-defendants already had pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him if the case went to trial. Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach signed statements saying Vick participated in executing at least eight underperforming dogs by various means, including drowning and hanging. Phillips, Peace and Tony Taylor, who pleaded guilty last month, also said Vick provided virtually all of the gambling and operating funds for his "Bad Newz Kennels" operation in rural Virginia, not far from Vick's hometown of Newport News. Media reporters and demonstrators, right, from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), gather outside the U.S. courthouse in downtown Richmond, Va., Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. Michael Vick's lawyer said Monday the NFL star will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a possible prison term. U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson summoned reporters camped outside the courthouse into a courtroom to inform them of the scheduled plea hearing next week. AP - Aug 20, 4:26 pm EDT More Photos The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL's personal conduct policy. Vick's Atlanta attorney, Daniel Meachum, told the AP that Vick is taking a chance with his guilty plea as far as his career is concerned because there have been no discussions with the league in recent days. "There's no promise or even a request of the league to make a promise," Meachum said. He said the plea deal involves only the federal case and that he didn't know if there had been any discussions about resolving state charges that may still be filed. The case began April 25 when investigators conducting a drug search at a massive home Vick built in Surry County found 66 dogs, some of them injured, and items typically used in dogfighting. They included a "rape stand" that holds aggressive dogs in place for mating and a "breakstick" used to pry open a dog's mouth. Vick contended he knew nothing about a dogfighting operation at the home, where one of his cousins lived, and said he rarely visited. The former Virginia Tech star also blamed friends and family members for taking advantage of his generosity and pledged to be more scrupulous. The July 17 indictment said dogs that lost fights or fared poorly in test fights were sometimes executed by hanging, electrocution or other brutal means. The grisly details fueled public protests against Vick and cost him some of his lucrative endorsement deals. Associated Press Writers Harry R. Weber and Doug Gross in Atlanta, Michael Felberbaum in Richmond and Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington contributed to this report. |
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Originally Posted by BoneCrusher
Gimmie a fuggn break. After a little thought on this it really comes down to ... 1st offenders on minor offenses get probation. HE treated a few dogs horribly and was involved in illegal dog fights. He didn't rape old women or murder a school teacher and eat her kidneys. PROBATION!!!!
Morally speaking he is a dirt bag but he isn't in the moral court he's in the criminal court. |
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Originally Posted by min0 lee
He will get 3 years probation the most.
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Originally Posted by min0 lee
He will get 3 years probation the most.
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
The guys who turned against him got 12-18 months, I don't see how the Ringleader can get any less then that.
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Originally Posted by min0 lee
I'll show my titties if I lose this bet.
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
I will take your bet on those titties Paul. Boy am I excited... Man titties.
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Originally Posted by PreMier
No way its more like "Michael Vick, NFL quarter back" to "Michael Vick, San Quentin reciever"
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Originally Posted by IainDaniel
He will be losing it anyway. The Falcons will terminate the contract, and get some of signing bonus back. They just need to wait for the NFL to say go ahead.
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Originally Posted by PreMier
No way its more like "Michael Vick, NFL quarter back" to "Michael Vick, San Quentin reciever"
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Originally Posted by soxmuscle
Newsday -
Stephon Marbury commented on the Michael Vick situation to a television station in Albany, New York. “We don’t say anything about people shooting deers and shooting other animals," said Marbury. "You know what I mean? From what I hear, dog-fighting is a sport. It’s just behind closed doors and I think it’s tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he’s one of the superb athletes and he’s a good human being. I think he fell into a bad situation.” |
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Originally Posted by soxmuscle Newsday - Stephon Marbury commented on the Michael Vick situation to a television station in Albany, New York. “We don’t say anything about people shooting deers and shooting other animals," said Marbury. "You know what I mean? From what I hear, dog-fighting is a sport. It’s just behind closed doors and I think it’s tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he’s one of the superb athletes and he’s a good human being. I think he fell into a bad situation.” |
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Originally Posted by soxmuscle
Newsday -
Stephon Marbury commented on the Michael Vick situation to a television station in Albany, New York. “We don’t say anything about people shooting deers and shooting other animals," said Marbury. "You know what I mean? From what I hear, dog-fighting is a sport. It’s just behind closed doors and I think it’s tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he’s one of the superb athletes and he’s a good human being. I think he fell into a bad situation.” |
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Originally Posted by soxmuscle
Newsday -
Stephon Marbury commented on the Michael Vick situation to a television station in Albany, New York. “We don’t say anything about people shooting deers and shooting other animals," said Marbury. "You know what I mean? From what I hear, dog-fighting is a sport. It’s just behind closed doors and I think it’s tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he’s one of the superb athletes and he’s a good human being. I think he fell into a bad situation.” |
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Originally Posted by PreMier
What a dumbass.. killing for sport/food like hunting, vs beating dogs, starving them, torture.. they dont even belong in the same league
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