Michael Vick Indictment

[Ed_Palmedo]

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

 

Richmond Division

 

Criminal No. 3:07CR

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

V.

 

PURNELL A. PEACE a/k/a "P-Funk" and "Funk"

 

QUANIS L. PHILLIPS a/k/a "Q"

 

TONY TAYLOR a/k/a "T"

 

MICHAEL VICK a/k/a "Ookie"

 

Defendants.

 

18 U .S.C . § 371

Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate

Commerce in Aid of Unlawful

Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in and

Animal Fighting Venture

(Count 1)

 

INDICTMENT

JULY 2007 TERM - At Richmond, Virginia

 

COUNT ONE

(Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture)

 

THE GRAND JURY CHARGES THAT:

 

1. Beginning in or about early-2001 and continuing through on or about April 25,

2007, in the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere, defendants, PURNELL A. PEACE. also

known as "P-hunk" and "Funk," QUANIS L . PHILLIPS, also known as `Q ."TONY TAYLOR .

also known as "T," and MICHAEL VICK, also known as "Ookie, did knowingly arid will('ullvv

combine, conspire . confederate and agree with each other, and with persons known and wiknovwn

to the Grand Jury_ to commit the following offenses against the United States, to wit :

 

a. traveling in interstate commerce and using the mail or any facility in

interstate commerce with intent to commit any crime of violence to further any unlawful activity

and to promote, manage, establish, carry on, and facilitate the promotion, management,

establishment, and carrying on of an unlawful activity, to wit : a business enterprise involving

gambling in violation of Virginia Code Annotated Sections 3.1-796.124(A)(2) . 18.2-326, and

18.2-328. and thereafter performing and attempting to perform acts to commit any crime of

violence to further any unlawful activity and to promote, manage, establish, and carry on, and to

facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, and carrying on of the unlawful activity, in

violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1952 ;

 

b. knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting

venture, if any animal in the venture has moved in interstate commerce. in violation of Title 7,

United States Code, Section 2156(a)(1) ; and

 

c. knowingly buying, transporting, delivering, and receiving for purposes of transportation, in interstate commerce, any dog for purposes of having the dog participate in an

animal fighting venture, in violation of Title 7, United States Code, Section 2156(h) .

 

MANNER AND MEANS OF THE CONSPIRACY

 

It was part of the conspiracy that the defendants and their co-conspirators would

and did :

 

a. purchase and develop a parcel of property to serve as the main staging area

for hosing and training pit bulls involved in the animal fighting venture and for hosting dog

fights;

 

b. establish a kennel name to represent the animal fighting venture in dog

ighting competitions;

 

c. purchase pit bulls for use in dog fighting competitions :

 

d. train and breed pit bulls for participation in dog fighting competitions,

 

e. travel to other locations in interstate commerce to participate in dog

fighting competitions;

 

f. sponsor and exhibit dogs in animal fighting competitions in interstate

commerce involving dogs that have moved across state lines ;

provide funding for the expenses associated with the ongoing animal

fighting venture, including improvements on the property, dog food, medicine, travel expenses,

and purse fees for dog fighting competitions ; and

 

h. develop the animal fighting venture's pool of pit bulls by testing the

fighting prowess of dogs within the venture, providing veterinary treatment for injured dogs

slated to stay with the kennel, and destroying or otherwise disposing of dogs not selected to stay

with the ongoing animal fighting venture .

 

 

OVERT ACTS

 

3. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the objects thereof, at least one of

the following overt acts, among others, was committed by the defendants and other conspirators

in the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere :

 

2001-2002: Establishment of "Bad Newz Kennels" at 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield,

Virginia

 

At some point in or about early 2001, QUANIS L . PHILLIPS, also known as "Q .-

TONY TAYLOR, also known as "T," and MICHAEL VICK, also known as "Ookic," decided to

start a venture aimed at sponsoring American Pit Bull Terriers in dog fighting competitions .

 

5 . In or about May 2001, TAYLOR. identified the property at 1915 Moonlight Road,

Smithfield, Virginia, as being a suitable location for housing and training pit bulls for fighting .

 

6. On or about June 29, 2001, VICK paid approximately $34,000 for the purchase of

property located at 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield, Virginia . From this point forward, the

defendants, aided and assisted by others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, used this

property as the main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved in the dog

fighting venture and hosting dog fights .

 

7. In or about 2001, the exact dates being unknown to the Grand Jury. PURNELL A.

PEACE, also known as "P-Funk" and "Funk,"PHILLIPS, "TAYLOR, and VICK started acquiring

pit bulls for the fighting operation from various locations inside and outside of Virginia .

including the purchasing approximately 4 dogs from an individual in North Carolina .

approximately 1 dog from an individual in New York, approximately 6 clogs and 6 puppies from

an individual in Richmond, Virginia, and a female pit bull named "Jane" from an individual in

Williamsburg, Virginia.

 

8. In or about early September 2001, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK purchased

approximately 4 pit bull puppies for approximately 1,000 from an individual known to the

Grand Jury in Williamsburg, Virginia . One of these puppies was a male pit bull named "Magic ."

 

9. In or about early 2002, VICK, accompanied by PEACE . purchased approximately

4 pit hulls from Cooperating Witness Number 1 (C.W.1) in Virginia. (C.W.1) had previously

purchased one of the pit bulls from an individual in North Carolina .

 

10. In or about early 2002, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK established a

dog Iighting business enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels ." At one point, the defendants

obtained shirts and headbands representing and promoting their affiliation with "Bad Newz

Kennels."

 

11. Beginning in 2002 and continuing through at least 2005 . the exact dates bcinL

unknown to the Grand Jury, "Bad Newz Kennels" members, aided and assisted by others known

and unknown to the Grand Jury, continued to develop the 1915 Moonlight Road property for the

ongoing dog fighting venture, including building : a fence to shield the rear portion of the

compound from public view; multiple sheds used at various times to house training equipment,

injured dogs, and organized fights ; a house to he occupied by the defendants and others

associated with maintaining the property; and kennels and buried car axles with chains for the pit

bulls. The buried car axles allow the dog chains to pivot, allowing the pit bulls to avoid getting

tangled in the chains .

 

2002 : Execution of "Bad Newz Kennels" Pit Bulls that Performed Poorly in "Testing"

Sessions :

 

12. In or about February 2002, PEACE and VICK "rolled" or "tested" some of their

fighting dogs against other dogs owned by (C.W.1) and others in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

"Rolling" or "testing" a fighting dog means placing the dog in a short fighting match to

determine how well the animal fights . One of the pit bulls sponsored by PEACE and VICK in

this "testing" session did not fight very well .

 

13. In or about February 2002, PEACE executed the pit bull that did not perform well

in the "testing" session by shooting it with a .22 caliber pistol .

 

14. In or about the summer of 2002 at various times, the exact dates being unknown

to the Grand Jury, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK "rolled" or "tested" additional -Bad

Newz Kennels" dogs by putting the dogs through fighting sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road to

determine which animals were good fighters .

 

15. In or about the summer of 2002, PEACE executed at least one dog that did not

perform well in a "testing" session at 1915 Moonlight Road by shooting the animal .

 

16. In or about the summer of 2002, PHILLIPS executed at least one dog that did not

perform well in a "testing" session at 1915 Moonlight Road by shooting the animal,

 

17. In or about the summer of 2002, TAYLOR executed at least two dogs that did not

perform well in "testing" sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road by shooting one dog and

electrocuting the other .

 

2002. Fights Involving "Maniac," a Male Pit Bull Owned by an Individual from North

Carolina, Versus Dogs Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels" :

 

18 . In or about the spring of 2002, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and TAYLOR traveled from

Virginia to North Carolina with a male pit bull named "Seal" to participate in a dog light against

a male pit bull named "Maniac," owned by an individual from North Carolina . The purse fir the

dog fight was established at approximately 500 per side, for a total of approximately 1,000.

 

19. In or about the spring of 2002, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and TAYLOR sponsored

"Seal" in a dog fight against "Maniac ."

 

20. In or about the spring of 2002, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE .

PHILLIPS, and TAYLOR, lost the purse when "Maniac" prevailed over "Seal."

 

21. In or about late 2002, an individual traveled from North Carolina to Virginia with

a male pit bull named "Maniac" to participate in a dog fight against a pit bull named "Zebra,"

owned by a person unknown to the Grand Jury . "Bad Newz Kennels" hosted the dog light at

1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse at approximately 1,000 per side, for a total of

approximately 2,000.

 

22. In or about late 2002, a person unknown to the Grand Jury, aided and assisted by

"TAYLOR and VICK, sponsored "Zebro" in the fight against "Maniac ."

 

23. In or about late 2002, a person unknown to the Grand .fury, aided and assisted by

TAYLOR and VICK., lost the purse when "Maniac" prevailed over "Zebro ."

 

Late 2002 : A Fight Involving "Chico," a Male Pit Bull Owned by `Bad Newz _Kennels,'

Versusa Pit Bull from Alabama :

 

24. In or about late 2002, individuals unknown to the Grand Jury traveled from

Alabama to Virginia with a male pit bull to participate in a dog fight against a male pit hull

named "Chico" owned by "Bad Newz Kennels ." "Bad Newz Kennels" hosted the dog light at

1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse at approximately 1,000 per side, for a total of

approximately 2,000.

 

25. In or about late 2002, PHILLIPS and TAYLOR, sponsored "Chico" in a dog fight

against the male pit bull from Alabama.

 

26. In or about late 2002, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PHILLIPS and

TAYLOR, won the purse when "Chico" prevailed over the male pit bull from Alabama .

 

Late 2002 : "Bad Newz Kennels" Hosting Other Kennels' Dog Fights at 1915 Moonlight

Road :

 

27. In or about late 2002, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE, PHILLIPS,

and TAYLOR, hosted one regular fight and a ."Grand Champion Fight" (meaning that each dog

was fighting for his fifth consecutive win) at 1915 Moonlight Road between male pit bulls from

North Carolina and Maryland .

 

28. In or about late 2002, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE, PHILLIPS .

and TAYLOR, hosted a fight at 1915 Moonlight Road between a male pit bull sponsored by the

"Junior Mafia" of North Carolina versus a male pit bull sponsored by a person known to the

Grand July from Williamsburg, Virginia .

 

2002-2003 : Fights Involving "Jane," a Female Pit Bull Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels,"

Versus Pit_BullsFrom New York and North Carolina and a Fight in New Jersey.

 

29. In or about late 2002, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and another individual

known to the Grand Jury traveled from Virginia to Maryland with a female pit bull named "Jane"

to participate in a dog fight against a female pit bull owned by "Show Biz Kennels of New

York . The purse for the dog fight was established at approximately 1,000 per side, for a total of

approximately 2,000.

 

30. In or about late 2002, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and TAYLOR sponsored "Jane" in a

dog fight against the female pit bull owned by "Show Biz Kennels ."

 

31 . In or about late 2002, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE-, PHILLIPS .

and TAYLOR, won the purse when "Jane" prevailed over the female pit bull owned by "Show

Biz Kennels ."

 

32. In or about the spring of 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS. TAYLOR, VICK, and two

other individuals known to the Grand Jury, traveled from Virginia to North Carolina with a

female pit bull named "Jane" to participate in a dog fight against a female pit bull owned by

individuals from North Carolina unknown to the Grand Jury . The purse for the dog fight was

established at approximately 1,500 per side, for a total of approximately 3,000.

 

33. In or about the spring of 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK

sponsored "Jane"" in a dog fight against the female pit bull from North Carolina .

 

34. In or about the spring of 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE,

PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK, won the purse when"Jane" prevailed over the female pit bull

from North Carolina.

 

35. In or about late 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and another individual

known to the Grand Jury traveled from Virginia to New Jersey with a female pit bull named

"Jane" to participate in a dog fight against a female pit bull owned by individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury . The purse for the dog fight was established at approximately 5,000 per side, fir a

total of approximately 10,000 .

 

36. In or about late 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and TAYLOR sponsored "Jane" in a

dog fight against the female pit bull owned by the individuals unknown to the Grand Jury .

 

37. In or about late 2003, "Bad News Kennels," represented by PEACE, PHILLIPS,

and TAYLOR, won the purse when "Jane" prevailed over the female pit bull owned by the

individuals unknown to the Grand Jury .

 

2003-2004: Fights Involving "Big Boy," a Male Pit Bull Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels,"

Versus.Pit Bulls From South Carolina and New Jersey :

 

38. In or about the spring of 2003, an individual unknown to the Grand Jury traveled

from South Carolina to Virginia with a male pit bull to participate in a dog fight against a male

pit hull named "Big Boy," owned by "Bad Newz Kennels ." "Bad Newz Kennels" hosted the dog

tight at 1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse at approximately 1,000 per side, for a

total of approximately 2,000 .

 

39. In or about the spring of 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK

sponsored "Big Boy" in a dog fight against the male pit bull from South Carolina .

 

40. In or about the spring of 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE .

PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK, won the purse when "Big Boy" prevailed over the male pit

bull from South Carolina.

 

41. In or about late 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK traveled from

Atlanta, Georgia to South Carolina with a male pit bull named "Big Boy" to participate in a dog

fight against a male pit bull owned by an individual from South Carolina unknown to the Grand

Jury. The purse for the dog fight was established at approximately 3,600 per side, 10r a total of

approximately 7,200 .

 

42. In or about late 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR . and VICK sponsored "Big

Boy" in a dog fight against the male pit bull from South Carolina .

 

43. In or about late 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE, PHILLIPS,

TAYLOR. and VICK, won the purse when "Big Boy" prevailed over the male pit bull from

South Carolina .

 

44. In or about the spring of 2004, individuals unknown to the Grand Jury traveled

from New Jersey to Virginia with a male pit bull to participate in a dog fight against a male pit

bull named "Big Boy," owned by "Bad Newz Kennels ." "Bad Newz Kennels" hosted the dog

fight at 1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse at approximately 1,500 per side, for a

total of approximately 3,000.

 

45. In or about the spring of 2004, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK

sponsored "Big Boy" in a dog fight against the male pit bull from New .jersey .

 

46. In or about the spring of 2004, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE,

PHILLIPS . TAYLOR, and VICK won the purse when "Big Boy" prevailed over the male pit bulll

from. New Jersey .

 

March 2003 : Fights Involvine Two Pit Bulls Owned by an Individual from North Carolina

Versus Pit Dulls Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels" :

 

47. In or about June 2002, Cooperating Witness Number 2 (C .W . 2) observed

PEACE, VICK, and others unknown to the Grand Jury representing "Bad Newz Kennels" and

"Hard Core Kennels" participate in two separate dog fights against "D .C . Kennels" at a location

around Blackstone, Virginia. (C.W.2) approached an individual unknown to the Grand Jury after

the light to offer "Bad Newz Kennels" a future fight with two of his pit bulls, a 35 pound female

pit bull and a 47 pound male pit bull.

 

48. In or about the late summer of 2002, an individual unknown to the Grand Jury

from "Bad Newz Kennels" agreed to fight (C.W.2's) pit bulls in or around March 2003 .

 

49. In or about March of 2003, (C.W.2) traveled from North Carolina to a location

near Blackstone, Virginia with his 35 pound female pit bull and a 47 pound male pit hull 1,0

participate in the dog fight matches against members of "Bad Newz Kennels ."

 

50. In or about March of 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a female pit bull in a dog fight against the 35 pound female pit bull owned

by (C.W.2). The purse for the dog fight was established at approximately 13,000 per side, for a

total of approximately 26,000.

 

51. In or about March of 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a female pit bull in a fight against the 35 pound female pit bull owned by

(C.W.2).

 

52. In or about March of 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE, VICK,

and others unknown to the Grand Jury, lost the purse when the 35 pound female pit bull owned

by (C.W.2) prevailed over the "Bad Newz Kennels" pit bull .

 

53. In or about March of 2003, PEACE, after consulting with VICK about the losing

female pit bull's condition, executed the losing dog by wetting the dog down with water and

elctrocuting the animal .

 

54. In or about March of 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a male pit hull in a dog fight against the 47 pound male pit bull owned by

(C.W.2) . The purse for the dog fight was established at approximately 10,000 per side . for a

total of approximately 20,000.

 

55. 1n or about March of 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a male pit bull in a fight against the 47 pound male pit bull owned by

(C.W.2).

 

56. In or about March of 2003, "Bad Newz Kenels," represented by PEACE, VICK,

and others unknown to the Grand Jury, lost the purse when the 47 pound male pit bull owned by

(C.W.2) prevailed over the "Bad Newz Kennels" pit bull .

 

57. In or about March of 2003, VICK retrieved a book bag from a vehicle containing

approximately 23,000 in cash. The cash was provided to (C.W.2) as payment for winning both

dog fight matches.

 

March 2003 : A Fight Involving "Cleo," a Female Pit Bull From New York, Versus a Pit

Bull Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels" :

 

58. In or about March of 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a female pit bull in a dog fight against a female pit bull named "C'leo,"

owned by an individual unknown to the Grand Jury from New York and handled during the Fight

by (C.W.1). The purse for the dog fight which took place in Surry County, Virginia was

established at approximately 3,000 per side, for a total of approximately 6,000 .

 

59. In or about March of 2003, PEACE met CW 1 and led him to the fight location in

Surry County. Virginia.

 

60. In or about March of 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a female pit bull in a fight against the female pit bull named `'Cleo ."

 

61. In or about March of 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE, VICK.

and others unknown to the Grand Jury, lost the purse . The "Bad Newz Kennels" female pit bull

umped out of the ring and "scratched" the fight. Following an agreement to allow a rematch

between the dogs, "Cleo" beat the "Bad Newz Kennels"' female pit bull .

 

62. In or about March of 2003, PEACE executed the losing dog by shooting it with a

Pistol .

 

Fall 2003: A Fi ht Involvin "Magic" a Male Pit Bull Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels,,"

Versus a Male Pit Bull in South Carolina :

 

63. In or about the fall of 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK traveled

from Atlanta, Georgia to South Carolina with a male pit bull named "Magic" to participate in a

dog fight against a male pit bull owned by individuals from South Carolina unknown to the

Grand Jury. The purse for the dog fight was established at approximately 1,500 per side, for a

total of approximately 3,000.

 

64. In or about the fall of 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK sponsored

"Magic"" in a dog fight against the male pit bull from South Carolina .

 

65. In or about the fall of 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE .

PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK, won the purse when "Magic" prevailed over the male pit bull

from South Carolina .

 

Fall 2003: A Fi ht Involvin a Male Pit Bull From North Carolina Versus a Male Pit Bull

Owned by Bad Newz Kennels" :

 

66. In or about the fall of 2003, Cooperating Witness Number 3 (C.W.3) traveled to

Suny County . Virginia with a male pit bull from North Carolina to participate in a dog fight

against a male pit bull named "Tiny," owned by "Bad Newz Kennels." "Bad Newz Kennels"

hosted the dog fight at 1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse at approximately 3,500

per side, for a total of approximately 7,000.

 

67. In or about the fall of 2003, an individual unknown to the Grand Jury met (C.W.3)

and led him and others accompanying (C.W.3) to 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield, Virginia .

 

68. In or about the fall of 2003, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK sponsored

"Tiny in a light against the male pit hull sponsored by C .W. 3. During the fight, C.W .4 3 was

criticized by a person unknown to the Grand Jury from "Bad Newz Kennels" for (C.W.3's)

having yelled out VICK's name in front of the crowd during the dog fight .

 

69. In or about the fall of 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE,

PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK, won the purse when "Tiny" prevailed over the male pit bull

owned by (C.W.3) .

 

70. In or about the fall of 2003, PEACE told (C.W.3) that he would give him a

rematch in the future.

 

Late 2003 : A Fight Involving "Trouble," a Female Pit Bull Owned by an Individual _from

North Carolina, Versus a Pit Bull Owned by "Bad Newz Kennels":

 

71. In or about late 2003, Cooperating Witness Number 4 (C.W.4) traveled to Surry

County, Virginia with a female pit bull named "Trouble," a dog that originally came from

Florida, to participate in a dog fight against a female pit bull owned by "Bad Newz Kennels ."

"Bad Ncwz Kennels" hosted the dog fight at 1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse at

approximately 7,000 per side, for a total of approximately 14,000 .

 

72. In or about late 2003, an individual unknown to the Grand Jury met (C.W.4) and

led him and others accompanying (C.W.4) to 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield, Virginia .

 

73. In or about late 2003, PEACE placed a side-bet with (C.W.4) of approximately

4,000 on the "Bad Newz Kennel" dog to win the fight .

 

74. In or about late 2003, PEACE, VICK, and other individuals unknown to the

Grand Jury sponsored a female pit bull in a fight against the female pit hull named "Trouble .''

 

75. In or about late 2003, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by P,E,ACE, VICK, and

others unknown to the Grand Jury, lost the purse when "Trouble" prevailed over the "Bad Newz

Kennels" pit bull .

 

76. In or about late 2003, VICK paid (C.W.4) the purse money of approximately

7,000 and approximately 4,000 for the side-bet entered by PEACE .

 

Ear1y_2004 : A Fight Involving "Too Short," a Male Pit Bull Owned by "Bad Newz

Kennels"„ Versus a Pit Bull from Maryland :

 

77. In or about the early 2004, individuals unknown to the Grand Jury traveled from

Maryland to Virginia with a male pit bull to participate in a dog fight against a male pit bull

named "Too Short" owned by "'Bad Newz Kennels ." "Bad Newz Kennels" hosted the dog fight

at 1915 Moonlight Road and established the purse was at approximately 3,000 per side, for a

total of approximately 6,000.

 

78. In or about early 2004, PEACE, PHILLIPS, TAYLOR, and VICK sponsored "Too

Short" in a dog fight against the male pit bull from Maryland .

 

79. In or about early 2004, "Bad Newz Kennels," represented by PEACE, PHILLIPS .

TAYLOR, and VICK, won the purse when "Too Short" prevailed over the male pit bull from

Maryland,

 

2004-2005 : "Bad Newz Kennels" Continues Hosting Dog Fights at 1915 Moonlight Road,

Smithfield, Virginia :

 

80. From in or about late 2004 through 2005 at various times, the exact dates being

unknown to the Grand Jury, PEACE, PHILLIPS, VICK, and others known and unknown to the

Grand Jury continued operation of the animal fighting venture at 1915 Moonlight Road and

hosted approximately 10 dog fights on the property . Many of these fights were held on the

second floor of 'a shed on the property . Participants in these fights carne from various places,

including New York, "Texas, and North Carolina .

 

Early 2007 : "Bad Newz Kennels" Dog Fighting Operation Continues at 1915 Moonlight

Road, Smithfield, Virginia :

 

81 . In or about early 2007, the exact dates being unknown to the Grand Jury, PEACE,

PHILLIPS, VICK, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury continued operation of the

animal fighting venture at 1915 Moonlight Road .

 

82 . In or about April 2007, PEACE, PHILLIPS, VICK, and two others known and

unknown to the Grand Jury "rolled" or "tested" additional "Bad Newz Kennels" dogs by putting

the dogs through fighting sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road to determine which animals were

good fighters.

 

83 . In or about April 2007, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and VICK executed approximately 8

dogs that did not perform well in "testing" sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road by various methods,

including hanging, drowning, and slamming at least one dog's body to the ground .

 

84. On or about April 25, 2007, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and VICK possessed various

items associated with the continued operation of the dog fighting operation at 1915 Moonlight

Road, including the sheds and kennels associated with housing the fighting dogs and hosting dog

lights ; approximately 54 American Pit Bull Terriers, some of which had scars and injuries

appearing to be related to dog fighting ; a "rape stand," a device in which a female dog who is too

aggressive to submit to males for breeding is strapped down with her head held in place by a

restraint ; a "break" or "parting" stick used to pry open fighting dogs' mouths during fights .-

treadmills and "slat mills" used to condition fighting dogs ; and other items .

(In violation of T itle 18, United States Code, Section 371).

 

Forfeiture Allegation

 

Pursuant to Rule 32.2(a) Fed. R. Crim. P., the defendants are hereby notified that, if

convicted of the offense charged in Count One, the defendants shall forfeit to the United States

their interest in any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or

indirectly as the result of such violation, including any assets which may be directly forfeitable as

proceeds or subject to forfeiture as a substitute asset .

(in accordance with Title 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)©, as incorporated by 28

U .S .C . § 2461© .)

[Ed_Palmedo]

It should be noted that Vick is innocent until proven guilty. If anything else people should remember the Duke lacrosse players who were thrown under the bus (and had their university turn their back on them) by crazy North Carolina District Attorney Mike Nifong, who was trying to win an election. We should not find Vick guilty until all the facts are out there.

 

That said, if Vick is responsible for these acts described in the Indictment then he should be thrown in jail. There are some disturbing, if not sick psychological issues, within the indictment. As a fan of Virginia Tech, the NFL, and Michael Vick, I hope this is not true but from what I have read my man from Hampton is going to need more than high-powered lawyers.

[Ed_Palmedo]

Last night, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, ordered Michael Vick to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dogfighting charges against him.

 

Goodell was quoted in a letter he sent to the Atlanta Falcon's quarterback, "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy."

[joeknight]

Michael Vick is innocent to proven guilty in a court of law and I think he is going to serve time in jail. Because he participated in the Dog fighting and the other 3 people participated too. I think the out come will be bad for Vick and the other 3 people too. I think that when Vick knew about the Dog fighting he should serve time in jail for what he did to those pit bulls. I think it is wrong to hurt Dogs and Vick will learn the hard way about hurting animals in that manor and I have no respect for people who are cruel to animals. I think Vick is guilty and he is going to jail for a period of time along with the other 3 people too. Justice will be severed against Vick and the other people too.

[HailtotheChief]

ConVick will escape jail time, but will have a lighter wallet to pay his legal dream team.

[Ed_Palmedo]

I think he already has his 'dream team' lawyer staff but you’re right it’s going to cost him big $$$. But I also think Vick isn't going to be able to scrabble out of this one. I think he'll get a 90- or 120day sentence if found guilty, but this is America so I won't be surprised if he pays his way out.

[Ed_Palmedo]

Michael Vick pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal dogfighting charges and was released without bond until a Nov. 26 trial. The trial date was set for Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m. as Vick waived his right to a speedy trial.

 

"I look forward to clearing my good name," Vick said in a statement. "I respectfully ask all of you to withhold your judgment until all of the facts are known."

[Luke_Wilbur]

"If the gloves don't fit, we must acquit!"

[Ed_Palmedo]

One of Michael Vick's co-defendants pleaded guilty Monday to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy he says was financed almost entirely by the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

 

As part of a plea agreement, Tony Taylor pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and two other men accused of running an interstate dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" on Vick's property in rural Surry County.

 

"The 'Bad Newz Kennels' operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Vick," a summary of facts supporting the plea agreement and signed by Taylor states.

 

The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so. Taylor cannot get a stiffer sentence or face any new charges based on any new information he provides, according to terms of the agreement.