One of the men indicted with Michael Vick on federal dogfighting charges pleaded guilty Monday and has agreed to help prosecutors make their case.
Tony Taylor, a 34-year-old from Hampton, Va., pleaded guilty here in United States District Court to charges of conspiring to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsoring “a dog in an animal fighting venture.”
Taylor, Vick and two other men, Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach; and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, pleaded not guilty last week in the case. But as part of his deal, Taylor signed a 13-page statement that confirmed much of what the government asserted in its indictment of the men on July 17.
Taylor outlined his involvement with the others in a dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels, according to the statement. He attested to how he scouted a property for Vick to buy in Smithfield, Va., as the base for the venture and cited numerous examples in which the group bought, trained and sponsored dogs in connection with fighting. He also said they gambled on the fights.
Although the statement said several dogs were killed, it did not say that Vick killed any of them. The statement said Taylor had a falling out with Phillips in 2004 and had not been part of the enterprise since.
The 18-page indictment against the men accuses them in graphic detail of animal cruelty. During a search of Vick’s property in April, 54 pit bulls were recovered, along with a so-called rape stand used to hold dogs in place for mating, an electronic treadmill modified for dogs and bloody carpeting. As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Taylor is expected to give testimony that mirrors his statement.
Since being indicted on charges of sponsoring, gambling on and authorizing acts of cruelty against dogs, Vick has had his football career put in limbo — and in jeopardy. N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended him indefinitely, Reebok has pulled his Atlanta Falcons jerseys from stores, and Nike has stopped sales of its Vick-branded products.
At a 9 a.m. hearing Monday, Taylor stood with his lawyer, Stephen Ashton Hudgins, before Judge Henry E. Hudson and answered questions about whether he understood the plea agreement.
Taylor responded that he did with brief answers in a deep monotone voice.
He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and is free on bond while awaiting a Dec. 14 sentencing. Because a trial in the case has been scheduled for Nov. 26, the judge and prosecutors will have time to evaluate the extent of Taylor’s cooperation before setting a punishment.
Vick and the others are also free on bond.
Daniel C. Richman, a professor at Columbia Law School and a former assistant United States attorney, described the plea agreement as an important step for the investigation.
“A witness like this is the only way to really get inside information without tracking the crime while it is happening,” Richman said. “This is the government’s way of signaling to the other defendants that it has significant evidence and that they should seriously consider pleading guilty themselves.”
A spokeswoman for the United States attorney’s office in Richmond declined to comment because the investigation was still underway.
Vick’s lawyer, Billy Martin, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
While leaving the court Monday, Taylor was swarmed by a reporters who peppered him with questions about Vick.
Taylor said nothing as he entered a waiting car and left.
Carl Tobias, a professor at University of Richmond Law School, said the turn of events did not help Vick but that defense lawyers could attempt to discredit Taylor.
“Vick’s lawyer was saying on Thursday that they were going to fight this thing to the end, but just a few days later someone has already pled,” Tobias said. “There is a lot time between now and the trial, and the other defendants could turn as well. But the other three of them may be hanging together. They could go after Taylor’s credibility by citing the falling out as more motivation to turn against them.”
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