Dog Fighting Investigations
| Michael Dwayne Vick | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1980-06-26) June 26, 1980 (age 32) Newport News, Virginia |
| Alias(es) | Ookie, Ron Mexico |
| Conviction(s) | (Federal) Felony conspiracy in interstate commerce/aid of unlawful animal fighting venture (Title 18, USC, Section 371); (State) Felony dogfighting |
| Penalty | (Federal) 23 months in prison, three years probation following release; (State) fine and three-year suspended prison sentence upon condition of good behavior for 4 years beginning November 2008 |
| Conviction status | Released on July 20, 2009 after servicing federal sentence, currently on probation (slated to expire in November 2012) |
| Occupation | American football quarterback |
| Parents | Michael Boddie, Brenda Vick |
A search warrant executed on April 25, 2007 as part of a drug investigation of Vick's cousin Davon Boddie led to discovery of evidence of unlawful dog fighting activities at a property owned by Vick in rural Surry County in southeastern Virginia, with extensive dogfighting facilities. Widespread media publicity quickly gained momentum as state officials investigated, soon joined by federal authorities with their own investigation. As the separate state and federal investigations progressed, more and more details of the operations of an interstate dog fighting ring were revealed, with some portions involving drugs and gambling. Gruesome details involving abuse, torture and execution of under-performing dogs galvanized animal rights activists and expressions of public outrage. Vick and several others were indicted on both federal and Virginia felony charges related to the operation.
Read more about this topic: Michael Vick
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