NFL's Michael Vick indicted on felony dog fighting charges

July 17, 2007

Richmond, Virginia - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been indicted on federal charges for an alleged dogfighting ring at a property he owned in Smithfield, Virginia.

Vick and three others were indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and "to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture," according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of 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.

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."

The NFL is not too happy. "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.

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