Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a dogfighting ring, according to a statement from his attorney.
In the statement by attorney Billy Martin, Vick agreed to plead guilty and accept a plea deal and will “accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made,” ESPN and Fox News reported Monday.
Vick is expected to be sentenced next Monday at US District Court here. He could face up to five years in prison and fines of more than 250,000 dollars as a result of the charges, although a lesser sentence is likely from the deal.
“After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him,” Martin’s statement said.
“Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made.”
“Michael wishes to apologizes again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.”
A grand jury was hearing evidence Monday on more possible charges that could have been filed against Vick, including racketeering gambling charges that would have greatly raised the stakes and possible prison term Vick might face.
The agreement also brings into question Vick’s National Football League future. Vick had been banned from the Falcons’ training camp by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell until his role in the scheme was more fully explained.
Goodell was expected to inform Vick about any possible banishment because of the guilty plea later on Monday, according to reports.
Three co-defendants of Vick had agreed to plea deals in exchange for contributing evidence to the case against Vick, who was charged with taking animals over state lines as part of a dogfight gambling ring.
Graphic details of his abuse of the dogs, including brutal methods of killing the animals, led to protests against him outside the courtroom and the club’s headquarters.
[AFP]
