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WASHINGTON - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three other men were indicted on conspiracy charges tied to a dog-fighting operation by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia.
They are charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and to sponsor a dog in an animal-fight venture, according to documents from the US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia.
If convicted on the travel and interstate commerce portion, each faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 ($NZ320,100) fine.
Conviction on the animal-fighting venture part of the charges could bring each one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Charged along with Vick, 27, were Purnell Peace, 35, Quanis Phillips, 28, and Tony Taylor, 34.
They were involved in an ongoing animal fighting venture based out of a property in Smithfield, Virginia, from early 2001 through April 2007 that was owned by Vick, according to the indictment.
They ran a dog-fighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" and used the property for housing and training pit bulls used in dog fights, according to court papers.
The indictment charges that people and dogs travelled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas, Alabama and other states to participate.
Purses ranged into thousands of dollars for a fight, which would last until the death or surrender of a dog. Sometimes the losing dog was put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot or electrocution, court papers said.
- REUTERS
