Michael Vick Indicted By Grand Jury

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Charged With Violating Federal Laws Against Dog Fighting

(CBS/AP)  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges related to illegal dog fighting.

Vick and three others were charged with violating federal laws against competitive dog fighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

Vick and the other defendants — Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor — were involved in an ongoing animal fighting venture based out of Vick's home in Smithfield, Va., from early 2001 to April 2007, according to a statement released by the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Vick faces $350,000 in fines and six years in prison if convicted of the charges.

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.

On July 7, federal authorities conducted a second search of the Surry, Va., property owned by Vick that is the center of the dog fighting investigation.

According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier this month, dog fights have been sponsored by "Bad Newz Kennels" at the property since at least 2002. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.

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 that were killed by members of "Bad Newz Kennels" following sessions to test whether the dogs would be good fighters, the documents alleged.

Members of "Bad Newz Kennels" also sponsored and exhibited fights in other parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and other states, according to the filings.

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, 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.

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.

[pstaeck]

It's disgusting, and I hope he gets the book thrown at him. I agree, you can't take the hood out of some people no matter how much money they have. He and his friends need to sit their collective butts in jail for 6 years and think about what they have done.

[zertrat]

Winstrv is right. This is a man who makes millions, he has the world at his feet, and he still chooses to torture animals. The facts on this matter are very clear. Visit Profootballtalk.com for full documentation of the case. Vick was charged a couple of years ago with infecting a girlfriend with herpes.
This man uses his power for evil.

[kommoncents-2009]

This guy is the lowest piece of human garbage and deserves to rot in jail, and hopefully he'll get to expierence some of the rape he forced on those poor dogs.

[bustardo]

This POS needs to get the max sentence for each dead animal found, banned forever from professional sports, and fitted with a bracelet for the rest of his life. In addition, they need to look at his low life brother. Too many people look the other when these thugs(Vick and others) commit crimes that would leave the rest of us in jail.

I wish this POS the worst that can happen in prison.

[cypress1978]

Chain him to a short stake in an open field without water or food for a few months during the summer.

[hollyt2-2009]

you can take the man out of the gutter for money and a great career but you cant take the gutter out of the man..This goes for only the men and women who are handed the gift of a natural athlete and arent smart enough to know what do with it..

[vonnie54-2009]

Shame on you Vick..... I was one of you biggest fans... the Falcons should FIRE you... casuse I am still a Falcon Fan... I own the sweetest PIT, and for you to torture and mane and kill the beautiful animals... you are a LOSER... and its rubbing off on the Falcons.
Vonnie Camacho

[stezzer]

Why on earth would he get involved in dog fighting for goodness sake?

He's rich, good-looking and accomplished. Why would he ruin his reputation getting involved in such stupid shenanigans.

I don't know, maybe you get bored when you've got everything.

[eileensh]

Why am I not surprised he was indicted?

Why won't I be suprised when the Falcons organization and Nike continue to enable him?

Rich McKay is a decent man. I HOPE he can talk some PR sense into Blank, not a decent man.

My sincere condolences to all the Falcons fans who deserve better caliber characters on their team and in their ownership.

[liciabrown50]

I love the Falcons. I loved Michael Vick. No more. If the Falcons continue to support this poor excuse of a human being I'm done with them for good...my season tickets included.

I hope he receives the maximum sentence for his crimes.

[whatithink-2009]

Well, there is no need for a trial now because everyone has convicted him. Why don't we wait until the trial happens. I am not saying he is not guilty, but aren't people supposed to have trials before you burn them at the stake??

Also, what is the point about him growing up in the 'hood? People do stupid things who have grown up in every type of environment.

[zertrat]

Dear Whatithink,
If you follow this case, you know Vick is involved. Yes, there is the trial thing, but the evidence in this case is unambiguous. He owned the house. He was at the house. The house was the site of an illegal viscious dogfighting ring. Fact fact fact. Lots of money involved here, and lots of violence. His level of involvement will come out in trial. But stop moaning about 'innocent until proven guilty.' This man is neck deep in bad things. And the 'hood' stuff? I have no idea what you are taking about. Don't make this racial or societal or whatever. You're the one trying to leverage this before trial! Michael Vick fights dogs and infects women with STDs. Bad dude.

[olebd]

Those overpaid athletes must get awful bored in the off season.

[richhong]

Innocent until proven guilty applies to criminal court. We are free to make our own judgments on whatever evidence is available, just as we did in the O.J. case, since our judgments do not have the force of law. Based on what I have read, it is difficult for me to imagine what his alibi would be. It appears to be a strong case. It is my right to root with particular fervor against Vick, just as I root against Barry Bonds, who also has not been convicted of anything.

Legally, I would agree that as far as his NFL contract is concerned, Vick should have his day in court before action is taken. But if he is convicted, I hope they throw the book at him. If guilty, I hope he spends a long, long time in prison, and gets bankrupted in the process.

[achadog]

ANYONE who gets off on this stuff is a sick, low life. I would say beat the cowards untill they howl for mercy. COWARDS!

[toolmangler-2009]

Now you see why muscled people are referred to as 'Dolts'. They tend to put their emphasis on strength not thought. All brawn and no brains. C'mon, prove me wrong someone. ;)

[newton221]

Michael Vick is just a piece of ***. A few years back he was sued by a woman whom he had given an STD to. She claimed he had unprotected *** with her knowing he had the STD. Then he was caught seeking medical treatment for the STD under the Alias Ron Mexico. Way to go Ron Mexico you piece of *** scumbag.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by janem4 at 07:32 PM : Jul 17, 2007


The two 'preacher boyz' will be all over this in a bit.
Wonder who's job they will target, The Attorney generals? LOL

[lkp2005]

janem4 you just raised the race card since you appear to be obsessing about it. So can someone else whine that it's because he's rich and be done with it. Or whine that someone else is going to whine, either one will do, they're both as vacuous.

[beverly710]

LOSER!!!!! What a disgusting and inhumane individual. The Falcons should fire his sorry
butt and stick it in jail for a long time.
He's like the basketball player Jason somebody
who shot his Rottweiler for not attacking his friend. POS's ...both of them.

[madge1966]

My guess is guys that fight dogs have small ******* and low IQ--- so fighting animals makes them feel like bigger men which is just so pathetic. If they were really tough they'd fight each other and not animals. If they were really smart, they'd get a job (other than selling drugs.) But the bottom line is they are losers who will one day get theirs. What goes around comes around. As for Michael Vick--- what a complete idiot!!

[cajunqt221]

6 years with a $350,000 fine is not enough for what he had done to these poor animals. I believe he deserves some mistreating himself!!!! What a loser! He should be fired from the Falcons....

[whatithink-2009]

the 'hood' stuff? I have no idea what you are taking about. Don't make this racial or societal or whatever.
Posted by zertrat

I only brought up what the first two posters said. So, you should direct your not turning this into a racial or societal problem towards THEM (pstaeck and Winstrv), NOT ME.

[hungry1968]

I have dog fights all the time.screw you pet people.in fact i'll have a fight tonight..big boy vs thunder c.
Posted by chinesespy at 07:37 PM : Jul 17, 2007

I always give my dogs alittle angel dust for 2 reasons,makes um mean and the dont feel any pain,that way they can fight to the death
Posted by chinesespy at 07:44 PM : Jul 17, 2007


Scumbags like you and Vick should be thrown into a pit with a couple of ax handles. The winner moves to the next round, the loser is put down. The last one standing gets to live, but his arms are cut off at the elbows. That's a just and fitting punishment for you sub human pieces of s*h*i*t!!

[molldoll0855]

As a serious pet owner this is brutally disturbing to me. Its sad to see or hear that people are taking up for him. Really lets just throw him in with the dogs and let them go hungry on him. Its like do you have any kind of sanity in your body. I hope that he gets what he deserves. I hope that the Atlanta Falcons don't consider having him as part of there team. If they do, it just goes to show what our NFL is all about.. $$$ which is really sad....

[rafterman1]

===He should be fired from the Falcons===

He may be released, but not because of this alone. He's been somewhat of a disappointment since being drafted. Fun to watch, but in the end, Atlanta won't go anywhere with him at QB.

[ringading3]

NFL players, lots of cash, but NO Class.

[rmsdm4]

The NAACP prepares young black men to play the race card. Too bad the NAACP doesn't teach young black men responsibility for their actions and respect. The true meaning of MLK.

[hungry1968]

It's going to be interesting to see how the NFL reacts, with their strict new policies towards those that break the law. Will they go after one of their biggest stars, that sells the most jerseys, hats, etc? Will he get a long suspension like Pacman Jones or Chris Henry?

[ringading3]

We are the problem! We support these thugs in the NFL and NBA with our cash.

[missut2]

As an avid animal lover, this just makes me sick to my stomach. But I'm not surprised that it is Michael Vick involved...I won't be surprised to find out that his brother, Marcus is not involved also. I didn't like either at VT and don't like either of them now. I loathe them...

If the Falcons plan to keep and play him this season, every Falcon fan should raise in protest against the ownership and not attend the games. Someone, somewhere needs to let these people know that they will not condone, in any way, the behavior of those that are representive of their franchise and that are role models for young guys that hope and dream of being an NFL quarterback.

Michael Vick is a low-life, vile scumbag that should spend years in jail...along with his low-life scumbag friends. Being able to play football at the collegiate and professional levels does not change the fact that he is SCUM...

[yamuttya]

A complete moron.
This is one of the sickest stories I've ever read.
I hope the NFL has the common sense to ban this idiot, but I doubt that they do.

[molldoll0855]

MissUT2 I really enjoyed what you had to say! Right on!!!

[king77shaw]

The charges are disturbing and disgusting - Vick deserves his day in court but if found guilty, should be banned from the NFL

[whatithink-2009]

rmsdm4,

Again, you bring up race. Did you bring up race when with the wrestler who killed his wife and child or the guy who shot his wife in the face? If the NAACP is responsible for this guy, who is responsible for the other two?

[noaanhc]

NFL - National Felon League

[moonbeam461]

He is an American....What else would you expect...Kill, Kill...troops and animals take cover..

[whatithink-2009]

rmsdm4,

I only harp on people bringing race into issues because it does have an impact on how one feels about someone or a situation. Have you not heard of a crime and wondered what race the person was who committed it? The race does define for many whether you have sympathy or contempt for the accused.

I have been reading about the wrestler who killed his family and there is an enormous amount of sympathy posted for the wrestler. People are blaming his behavior on steriods. But, everyone has a reason for why they might be working with some screws loose. It's just such a share contrast between the comments on the wrestler who killed his family versus this story...that has not been officially proven.

[keithle1]

If this is all he's involved in, we should give him a medal. Sure he doesn't have a meth lab out back? Illegal gun running? Owes thosands in back child support to the mothers of his 5 illegitimate babies? Training in condom use
isn't mandatory yet in the NFL or other pro
sport leagues.

[whatithink-2009]

Keithle1,

If he did this, I do not condone it at all. However, I see people on the topic about the wrestler trying to understand and figure it out with such warm and fussy discussions. Everyone is a victim, including the person who murdered his wife and child.

With this topic, he is just a thug and no understanding is needed.

It's startling the difference!!

[gate5way-2009]

Vick MUST go! Cut him Today!

[tsgtbill]

My foot Vick didnt know what was going on inside his property. If found guilty he and his lower than scum buddies should be starved, then strangled followed by electrocution and a shot to the head for good measure. Dont waste tax dollars sending him off to prison for 6 years.

[whatithink-2009]

" It is my right to root with particular fervor against Vick, just as I root against Barry Bonds, who also has not been convicted of anything."
Posted by richhong at 07:29 PM : Jul 17, 2007


Interesting. What do you think of Bush...GW, that is?

[pt133]

He is a disgrace and should not be allowed to play football for Atlanta or any other team. I hope he goes to jail for a very long time. It takes a cowardly jerk to do the things he is accused of. He should be forced to fight for his life just as these dogs have been made to do. Maybe prison is where this will happen.

[whatithink-2009]

"takes a cowardly jerk to do the things he is accused of."

- The operative words being "accused of."

[jb21940]

This is a prime example of what stupid people with lots of money can and will do..I'll be surprised if he gets anytime in prison..Most likely he'll get a slap on the wrist and a $250,000.00 fine...

[hillary1971]

DISGUSTING UNEDUCATED PIG!

[whatithink-2009]

hillary1971,

Where do you see that he is uneducated? He graduated from Virginia Tech and has a huge memorial about the massacre there on his website.

[mbgold11]

Stupid is as stupid does...........and without a doubt this is stupid....but be real I have seen convicted murderers get less time than I am seeing discussed for this crime......I don't like what he has done but I like even less the tone here that puts this crime even close to the level of hurting a person. If guilty he has shown himself to be in the lowest echelon of people but I will never condone the incarceration of a person for cruelty to animals. For goodness sakes are you people here vegetarians? Have you seen how we handle animals in the food supply? Wake up!

[sentry88]

Remember Mike Vick is not a stupid man. When he was drafted he told the media he had 2 things going for him ,,,his legs ,his arm and his brains, Way to go beemer you graduated another idiot from the hoooooooood