NFL's Vick Sentenced to 23 Months
Falcons' Quarterback Gets Jail Time in Federal Prison, Probation
Dec 10, 2007
NFL star quarterback Michael Vick has been sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for his involvement in a gruesome dogfighting ring. He was also sentenced to an additional three years of supervised probation, fined $5,000, and prohibited from owning or keeping any dogs.
Vick – a former number one draft pick and star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons – was sentenced to the jail term today in federal district court in Richmond, Va. by District Judge Henry Hudson. Federal prosecutors told Hudson that Vick hadn’t been forthcoming about his involvement in the ring, which he bankrolled. In addition, Vick tested positive for the use of marijuana after he pleaded guilty to the dogfighting charges.
"I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility," Hudson told Vick, as reported by The Associated Press. Hudson termed Vick’s activities as "cruel and inhumane," telling the ex-Nike spokesman, "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."
Prosecutors said that Vick failed an FBI-administered lie detector test in October and continues to be “less than candid” with them about his dogfighting activities, which go back to 2001, when the Falcons signed him.
The 27-year-old quarterback told the judge he used “poor judgment,” adding, "I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions." But federal officials still doubt his veracity. Hudson noted that a federal probation officer determined that Vick lied about his hands-on killing of dogs and about his drug use. And federal prosecutor Michael Gill remarked, "He did more than fund [the operation]. He was in this thing up to his neck with the other defendants."
Vick’s three co-defendants all previously entered guilty pleas before Hudson, effectively forcing Vick’s hand, compelling him to enter a guilty plea of his own. Co-defendants Purnell Peace received 18 months and Quanis Phillips received 21 months. His third co-defendant, Tony Taylor, is scheduled for sentencing on Friday. Each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of illegal gambling and a single count of sponsoring a dog in animal fighting.
The dogfighting operation was known as “Bad Newz Kennels” and was run out of an estate Vick purchase in Surry County, Va. The property was raided in April 2007 after Vick’s cousin listed it as his home address when he was arrested on drug charges. Officials confiscated 66 dogs utilized in the operation. The quarterback at first publicly denied his involvement in the endeavor. He also told Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he didn’t know anything about the dogfighting operation.
The National Football League suspended Vick indefinitely after federal indictments were handed down July 17. He’s lost millions of dollars in endorsement deals and has been ordered to repay the Falcons nearly $20 million in signing bonus money. He signed a 10-year, $130 million contract with the team in Dec. 2004.
He still faces multiple state charges in connection with the dogfighting ring and is slated to appear in state court in April 2008.
