Michael Vick indicted by federal grand jury in dogfighting case
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - When a Bad Newz Kennels dog was wounded in a losing fight, NFL star Michael Vick was consulted before the animal was doused with water and electrocuted.
That's just one of the gruesome details that emerged Tuesday when the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury.
The four were charged with competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.
They are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond on July 26, the same day the Falcons begin training camp. The four will have a bond hearing before a magistrate judge at 3:30 p.m., and an arraignment will follow at 4 p.m., the court said Wednesday.
The 18-page indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleged the 27-year-old Vick and his co-defendants began the dogfighting operation in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year as the No. 1 pick.
The operation was centered at a property Vick owned in Surry County, where a fence shielded prying eyes from the back, and the two-story brick home was surrounded by fencing in the front, with several black buildings further back.
Unlike previous documents, which did not name Vick, the indictment is littered with his name, including this tidbit - Vick was known as ``Ookie'' in the dogfighting world.
If convicted of all the charges, Vick and the others - Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach; Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta; and Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton - could face up to six years in prison, $350,000 in fines and restitution.
A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother, Brenda Boddie, said ``no comment'' and quickly hung up.
Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, and an e-mail sent to his office were not returned.
While the Falcons and the NFL said little Tuesday, John Goodwin of the Humane Society of the United States said the details were especially troubling.
About eight young dogs were put to death at the Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007, the indictment said. They were killed ``by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground.''
``Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day,'' Goodwin said. ``I was surprised to see that they were killing dogs by hanging them, and one dog was killed by slamming it to the ground. Those are extremely violent methods of execution - they're unnecessary and just sick.''
Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators often placed side bets on the outcome, according to the indictment.
After two Bad Newz Kennels dogs lost fights in March 2003, the indictment alleged Vick gave a bag containing $23,000 to the owner of the winning dogs.
Started in early 2002, according to the indictment, Bad Newz Kennels began purchasing pit bulls to train as fighters. Eventually, the defendants bought shirts and headbands ``representing and promoting their affiliation.''
After an April police raid on the property, Vick said he was rarely at the house, however, and had no idea that it might have been used in a criminal enterprise. He blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity and pledged to be more careful.
He has since said very little, citing the advice of his attorneys.
But Tuesday the NFL was quick to decry the alleged animal abuse.
``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,'' NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
Vick and the Falcons are due to report to training camp next week.
``Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news,'' the team said in a statement posted on its Web site, apologizing to fans for the negative publicity. ``We will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for.''
Vick and the others are accused of ``knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal fighting venture'' and conducting a business enterprise involving gambling, as well as buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purposes of an animal fighting venture.
The indictment said dogfights were held at the Virginia property and dog owners brought animals from six states, including New York and Texas.
Local authorities have been investigating since an April 25 drug raid at the property. On June 7, officials with the Department of Agriculture with help from state police executed their own search warrant and found the remains of seven dogs.
Surry County prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter said he didn't know of the indictment before it was filed, and said he's not sure how the county will continue its separate case.
At the start, authorities seized 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. About half the dogs were tethered to car axles with heavy chains that allowed the dogs to get close to each other, but not to have contact - an arrangement typical for fighting dogs, according to the search warrant affidavit.
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, dogs weren't 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 was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents.
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Associated Press Writer Dionne Walker contributed to this report.
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Comments (18) Add A Comment
Someone should just put Michael Vick to sleep. This piece of c..rap. has be a thug since he came into the NFL. He is a cancer to the Falcons and the NFL. He has gotten off time and time again. Is this what sports has come to? Having people like this as a leader of your team. Wake up Falcons, you will never win as long as the leader of your team has no leadership qualities and is not respected by his teamates and coaches.
Spartan2033
Atlanta , GA
Total Comments (192)
Well...this may be the news many of the people who have been saying Vick will be suspeneded have been waiting for...but we'll see if he is found guilty.
Big Ben68
Total Comments (20933)
I'm loving this - it's about time. I totally expected a coverup, so this is great news. Anybody who participates in such a disgusting activity as torturing and killing animals is not even human. Payback is hell and I hope Vick and his THUG co-horts get to find out about all the new and exciting acitivities in store for them behind bars. You deserve everything you get.
jcwinner
Total Comments (2)
This is an indictment, not a conviction, and this matter could be a year or two away from the courtroom hopefully. I'm going to remain positive about all of this and get ready to see number 7 on the field in September.
Terminator X
Total Comments (165)
Wellcome to Atlanta Mr. Cullpepper!
Chipschot
Jacksonville, FL
Total Comments (18)
cdadoe. hi. I'm back. took a couple weeks longer than I thought, but an expected outcome nonetheless. Thank goodness for the "rocket docket" in VA federal court so Vick will be somebody's r@pe toy in prison before the first home game in ATL. All the $ in the world cannot save him now and his"co-horts" are going to rat him out for all he's worth. Goodbye sponsors, goodbye contract, give back the signing bonus and leave the country. The only thing that could be sweeter, would be enough evidence for a RICO and he get's life in prison, I'm praing for a drug connection and the house, anyway t...o sum it up---BURN VICK! BURN! ATL is better off without him on and off the field - overated POS.
shogundiesel
Denver , CO
Total Comments (73)
Innocent until proven guilty, yes.
But, with this indictment hanging over his head, will the Falcons organization keep supporting him? I really freaking hope not.
PARavensgirl
York , PA
Total Comments (29)
Culpepper would be a nice fit in ATL
JTMeek
Hampton , VA
Total Comments (1001)
It ain't about race homeys! I am black and SICK D!CK VICK is a DISGRACE for all fellow brothers. I hope the NFL SHOCKS your world baby boy and the Falcons DROWN your career and Nike SLAMS your endorsement down to the ground. I guarantee this much my abusive wackjob brother, when you are convicted and they send you to DISNEYLAND your cellmates will have a real hate for child or animal abusers with a passion Mikey. Those homeys will put you in the "obits" within a few months. How sad it is today for all of us brothers. We looked up to you man! Now all we can do is pity you fool! You are SCUM!!!!
DarkMark
Augusta , GA
Total Comments (2)
I always kinda thought Vick had some involvement. But this is really bad. Yes, legally, it is innocent until proven guilty, but a suspension pending the outcome is not unwarranted.
Nonyabizz
Baton Rouge , LA
Total Comments (47)
Alot of people assume that alot of the players in the NFL or any pro sport are model citizens, however that is not true for some. Some of the backgrounds players come from or grow up in are not good. Money doesnt take the background away it can make things worse, and at times turn things around for the good. I feel that Pro sport organizations need to provide ways of help towards troubled players so they can be true model representatives of the community. As far as Vick is concerned if he is found guilty he should be made an example of, if he's not guilty the NFL needs to make it apperant that he needs to monitor his "relatives" activites much better or love them from a distance. And you are right DarkMark this is not about race here we have a person who many look up to who needs a reality check.
Tommy K
Fresno , CA
Total Comments (30)
vick should go to jail
i am not a vick hater if my own mother was involved i would feel the same way
that it cruel and unusssal punishemnt to man best freind, its not the dogs fault it people like vick make him a example 5 yrs behind bars
t bunz
Newark , DE
Total Comments (41)
Word up Tommy K. The defendant is innocent until proven guilty. But the feds don't play with just allegations. Believe me these guys have some other stuff we have not even seen yet for evidence no doubt. I grew up in the ghetto. If there is one thing that is so true is young men who live a hard life growing up LOOK UP TO THESE PLAYERS. It is a life they dream of having and when a scrub like Vick comes along (With a track record already in place of infecting young women with genital **** and stashing questionable stuff in water bottles) and commits what amounts to TORTURE and MURDER on innocent animals WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE IS THAT??? I hope Roger Goodell makes this human POS and example for everyone. We need ROLE models not THUG models for our youth brothers and sisters! 'Nuff said!!!
DarkMark
Augusta , GA
Total Comments (2)
Well, Well, Well!! Now ain't THAT interesting!
Now let is all remember that it's not his fault. It is because he was a disadvantaged African American youth from meager means and has been oppressed in every fashion. he is a "good boy" who would never get into anything such as this. And, if he did, then it was because of the people around him that influenced him into such things.
COUGH, GAG, WHEEZE, CHOKE, PANT, GULP......
Now that that is over with. C'mon!! Don't roll your eyes at me. You KNOW we are going to hear that from someone. The fact, just like so many before me have stated, he is garbage. he is not even worth a credible mention. Strip him of ALL stats from high school to present, sponge his name out of any and all record books. The Falcons need to dump him, the NFL needs to expel him permanently and the media need only cover this atrocity until it is a closed issue. When it is closed, the name Micheal Vick should only be used in prison.
He is a blackeye on the USA, the state of Virginia, the NFL as a whole, the Atlanta Falcons, the NCAA, Virginia Tech and any other affiliations that he may have. He needs to receive NO special considerations and needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law. he is most certainly a POS, (My apologies to all pieces of sh** in the world for insulting them by association with Michael Vick). Personally, I would **** in his ear if his brains were on fire......In My Most Humble Opinion....
bigflag8r
Brooksville , FL
Total Comments (5)
Oops, supposed to would NOT p*** in his ear.... :)
bigflag8r
Brooksville , FL
Total Comments (5)
God he is a disgusting human being....I hope he rots in hell and continues to experience everything he allowed or did to those innocent creatures.
As a fan knowing he could be on the field turns my stomach. Every time he plays all we'll see are screaming animals in pain. Great image for the Falcons and I think its going to run over to the other teams in the NFL.
Wake up commissioner...save the image of the NFL
wolf4567
Total Comments (2)
I just was looking at the Falcon's website and realized that Michael Vick has indeed lived up to what the team's name stands for. He took no prey alive. He needs to be suspended if not by the Commissioner than by the Falcon's.
Shadoe
Total Comments (2)
TOMMY K GET OUT OF THE SPORTS SECTION, BULL ****
t bunz
Newark , DE
Total Comments (41)
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