NFL Quarterback Michael Vick Agrees to Guilty Plea for Dog Fighting
NFL quarterback Michael Vick, the highest-paid player in the National Football League and one of the most recognizable NFL players in the game, has been in the center of controversy before. But nothing he had ever done could have prepared him for the storm of trouble he faces after pleading guilty to his role in a dog fighting ring.
Vick's lawyer announced earlier this week that his client will enter a guilty plea to dogfighting conspiracy charges brought against him by the FBI at an August 27th hearing. The charges alleged that Vick had conspired to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspired to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
Based on the penalties that these charges carry, Vick may face anywhere from one to five years in prison. Without providing details of the plea agreement, ESPN has reported that prosecutors will recommend a year to 18 months in prison for Vick. Authorities also say that in addition to these federal charges, Vick may also face charges in the state of Virginia for gambling and associated activities that could bring additional penalties and prison time.
Back on April 25th, investigators encountered a grisly scene as they were searching Vick's house in Surry County, Virginia. The FBI officials found a total of 66 dogs (mostly pit bulls), a dog-fighting pit, bloodstained carpets and other dogfighting paraphernalia. They were making the search based on several reports by informants involved in dogfighting rings concerning Vick's activities in both gambling and sponsoring dogs for competition.
In addition to finding some injured dogs at the home, investigators discovered items typically used in dogfighting, including a "rape stand" to hold down aggressive dogs for mating purposes and a "breakstick" to pry open a dog's mouth.
Eyewitnesses painted a more detailed picture of what exactly took place at the house. According to their reports, dogs that lost fights or performed poorly in test fights were killed by hanging, electrocution, drowning and other inhumane means by Vick and his associates.
Yet, despite the extensive details and physical evidence of the claims, Vick denied throughout the investigation that he was aware of dogfighting at the residence he owns, in which one of Vick's cousins lives. He repeatedly claimed to investigators and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he was not involved in any dogfighting.
Vick Has Few Options as His Co-Defendants Plead Guilty
However, on July 30, one of Vick's co-defendants in the case, Tony Taylor, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, in which he agreed to testify against Vick if the case should go to trial. On August 17, two more co-defendants, Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace, also agreed to make plea agreements. All three men signed statements acknowledging that Vick participated in the killing of eight dogs and also said that the quarterback bankrolled gambling on the dogfighting.
With his closest associates ready to help prosecute him, Vick reached a decision to make a plea agreement of his own. In a statement released to the media, Vick's criminal defense lawyer Billy Martin stated that Vick is ready to "accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made," and that Vick "wishes to apologize to everyone who has been hurt by this matter."
Goodell has already barred Vick from training camp this season, and ESPN's Chris Mortensen has reported that Vick will likely be suspended indefinitely after his case is resolved.
As for the Atlanta Falcons, the team that drafted Vick and made him their franchise player, the organization is withholding comment in compliance with Goodell's request. If the NFL suspends Vick, the Falcons could try to collect part of his signing bonus of $22 million, since Vick would be in breach of contract.
For the public at large, Michael Vick's reputation as a role model and sports hero is ultimately tarnished. Certainly his high profile has raised awareness of the issue of dogfighting and gambling among professional athletes, and will help organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in their fight to include dogfighting and cruelty to animals as a violation of personal conduct policies among major sports.
