was outraged by my dogfighting activities, which I eventually described as âbarbaric.â Lots of people wanted to see me severely punished.
In June 2007, a federal grand jury charged me and my three codefendantsâTony Taylor, Quanis Phillips, and Purnell Peaceâwith conspiring to operate a dogfighting business and doing so across state lines, while also procuring and training dogs to participate in the operation. All four of us originally pled not guilty, but Tony, Quanis, and Purnell eventually changed their pleas and agreed to participate in the case against me. I was implicated not only in dogfighting, but also in helping to kill dogs and bankrolling the gambling part of the operation. Tony, Quanis, and Purnell gave detailed descriptions of my involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting operation in which they too were participants.
The evidence was so thorough, so convincing, that I decided toforgo a trial. On August 23, 2007, I signed a plea agreement and, four days later, pled guilty to a dogfighting conspiracy before US District Judge Henry Hudson in Richmond, Virginia, filing a confessional statement of facts that led to my imprisonment and sentencing. I held a press conference afterward, apologizing and vowing to redeem myself.
I truly was sorry for my actions, as my confidant and pastor of Psalms Ministry, Domeka Kelley, knew perhaps better than anyone. He was probably the first person I sat down with and confessed to about all I had doneâbefore I pled guilty or said anything publicly admitting my fault. He could tell that it was difficult for me to talk aboutâthat I was sincereâand he prayed with me.
After my troubles became public, my first coach in Atlanta, Dan Reeves, said that he never had any reason to think I was involved with dogfighting. âI was surprised, because Mike had a dog he would bring to practice,â Coach Reeves told the public. âHe loved his dog. Personally, I didnât think that was something he would do because he was a dog loverâ¦. But he certainly made a huge mistake.â
As would be expected, I was bombarded with negative publicity as soon as the news broke about the dogfighting. However, I didnât expect what I perceived to be a public attack by my father. In interviews with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Washington Post in late August 2007, my father said he warned me tostop dogfighting and that he believed I got involved in the practice during my college days at Virginia Tech. He also said I used to have dogfights in the garage of our familyâs Newport News home.
He acknowledged that I had recently turned down his request for money, around $700,000. But what about the fact that he was living in an apartment that I was paying for at that time?
I felt betrayed. I felt like my very own father had thrown me under the bus. What made matters worse is that his information was false. This did great damage to our relationship. We had arguments so severe that we were ready to fistfight.
If anything, those articles with my dad were supposed to be positive, and he was supposed to be very supportive, letting the world know I made a mistake and accepted responsibility for my wrongdoings. But for him to make matters worse was very, very disappointing to my family and mind-boggling to me.
It is absolutely false that I had any involvement in dogfighting while at Virginia Tech. And even though my father attended some of my games there, he certainly wasnât aware of what I did on campus.
I felt like everything I had worked for in developing a relationship with my dad and helping him was practically undone at the time. I wanted no more part of him. I forgave him when he did it, but I knew it would be awhile before I could talk to him and honestly confront him about the situation.
Basically, what my dad did hurt my case. From that point on, I made a vow to myself: I was going to try and do the right thingsin my life
In June 2007, a federal grand jury charged me and my three codefendantsâTony Taylor, Quanis Phillips, and Purnell Peaceâwith conspiring to operate a dogfighting business and doing so across state lines, while also procuring and training dogs to participate in the operation. All four of us originally pled not guilty, but Tony, Quanis, and Purnell eventually changed their pleas and agreed to participate in the case against me. I was implicated not only in dogfighting, but also in helping to kill dogs and bankrolling the gambling part of the operation. Tony, Quanis, and Purnell gave detailed descriptions of my involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting operation in which they too were participants.
The evidence was so thorough, so convincing, that I decided toforgo a trial. On August 23, 2007, I signed a plea agreement and, four days later, pled guilty to a dogfighting conspiracy before US District Judge Henry Hudson in Richmond, Virginia, filing a confessional statement of facts that led to my imprisonment and sentencing. I held a press conference afterward, apologizing and vowing to redeem myself.
I truly was sorry for my actions, as my confidant and pastor of Psalms Ministry, Domeka Kelley, knew perhaps better than anyone. He was probably the first person I sat down with and confessed to about all I had doneâbefore I pled guilty or said anything publicly admitting my fault. He could tell that it was difficult for me to talk aboutâthat I was sincereâand he prayed with me.
After my troubles became public, my first coach in Atlanta, Dan Reeves, said that he never had any reason to think I was involved with dogfighting. âI was surprised, because Mike had a dog he would bring to practice,â Coach Reeves told the public. âHe loved his dog. Personally, I didnât think that was something he would do because he was a dog loverâ¦. But he certainly made a huge mistake.â
As would be expected, I was bombarded with negative publicity as soon as the news broke about the dogfighting. However, I didnât expect what I perceived to be a public attack by my father. In interviews with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Washington Post in late August 2007, my father said he warned me tostop dogfighting and that he believed I got involved in the practice during my college days at Virginia Tech. He also said I used to have dogfights in the garage of our familyâs Newport News home.
He acknowledged that I had recently turned down his request for money, around $700,000. But what about the fact that he was living in an apartment that I was paying for at that time?
I felt betrayed. I felt like my very own father had thrown me under the bus. What made matters worse is that his information was false. This did great damage to our relationship. We had arguments so severe that we were ready to fistfight.
If anything, those articles with my dad were supposed to be positive, and he was supposed to be very supportive, letting the world know I made a mistake and accepted responsibility for my wrongdoings. But for him to make matters worse was very, very disappointing to my family and mind-boggling to me.
It is absolutely false that I had any involvement in dogfighting while at Virginia Tech. And even though my father attended some of my games there, he certainly wasnât aware of what I did on campus.
I felt like everything I had worked for in developing a relationship with my dad and helping him was practically undone at the time. I wanted no more part of him. I forgave him when he did it, but I knew it would be awhile before I could talk to him and honestly confront him about the situation.
Basically, what my dad did hurt my case. From that point on, I made a vow to myself: I was going to try and do the right thingsin my life
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