RICHMOND, Va. -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick accepted a plea deal Monday and likely lengthy prison sentence to avoid additional federal charges in a dogfighting case that has driven his NFL career to a halt.
"After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick has asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding charges pending against him," Vick attorney Billy Martin said in a statement.
"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 apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.
The terms of Vick's sentence are not yet known.
All three of Vick's co-defendants have reached plea deals in the case. Vick had been facing a Nov. 26 trial date.
Vick's last two co-defendants pleaded guilty Friday and said he bankrolled gambling on dogfights at the quarterback's property in rural Surry County, not far from his hometown of Newport News. One said Vick helped drown or hang dogs that didn't do well.
Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach entered plea agreements and agreed to testify against Vick. Tony Taylor of Hampton struck a similar deal last month.
The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The NFL has barred Vick from the Falcons' training camp but has withheld further action while the league conducts its own investigation.
Peace, Phillips and Taylor pleaded guilty to the same charges facing Vick: conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Their sentencings are set for November and December.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
the NBA is actually really lucky to have this going on right now as its taking alot of air time that would otherwise be spent on Donaghy
Until Donaghy starts giving up names of other refs involved in gambling which is rumored could potentially happen. And in that event it would TRUMPH the Vick drama. NBA should enjoy the spotlight off them for now but Donaghy can damage the league way worst than Vick/dog fighting. One is off the field and another is on the court.
Other black people still say he was targeted because he's a famous black athlete, and believe Vick just took the deal because he would have lost the case because of liars.
Other black people still say he was targeted because he's a famous black athlete, and believe Vick just took the deal because he would have lost the case because of liars.
then they're just as foolish as Michael Vick when it comes to this. a lot of those people will cry 'racism' over any little thing in life.
Other black people still say he was targeted because he's a famous black athlete, and believe Vick just took the deal because he would have lost the case because of liars.
Other black people still say he was targeted because he's a famous black athlete, and believe Vick just took the deal because he would have lost the case because of liars.
reminds me of that skit on Chappelle show where he was testifying in court for the R. Kelly/Michael Jackson/OJ trials and refused to admit they did anything wrong cuz they were black
$hit doesn't have anything to do with race. He's targeted because he commited a crime
Ot: Vick Pleads Guilty!!!
