Vick, 3 others indicted on Virginia charges

ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, already awaiting sentencing on federal felony charges related to dogfighting, will face two state charges in Virginia, which could result in punishment that could jeopardize his playing career.

A grand jury in Sussex County, Va., recommended Tuesday that Vick, 27, and three others be charged with one count of beating or killing a dog and one count of engaging in and promoting dogfighting. Both counts are felonies. The charge of beating or killing a dog carries up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine per animal.

Arraignment for Vick, Quanis Phillips, Tony Taylor and Purnell Peace will be Oct. 3 in Sussex County. The arraignment is scheduled a day before an arbitrator is to begin hearing arguments by the Falcons and Vick's representatives regarding the team's pursuit of $22 million in bonus money already paid to Vick.

Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter issued the following statement: "These are serious charges and we can assure you that this grand jury was not driven by racial prejudice, their affection or lack of affection for professional athletes, or the influence of animal rights activists and the attendant publicity. The grand jury represents the conscience of the good people of Surry County."

He refused additional comment.

The six-person grand jury, made up of four women and two men, met in Sussex County because the Surry County courthouse is being renovated.

The Falcons, who have distanced themselves from Vick over the past few weeks, said they would have no comment on the developement.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely for violating the league's player conduct code. Vick has been paid more than $50 million by the Falcons since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. Vick made millions more in endorsment deals, all of which have terminated since his plea agreement.

Vick, Peace and Phillips admitted in guilty plea agreements last month on a federal dogfighting charge, to having a role in killing between six to eight pit bulls last April — some by drowning and hanging — because the animals did not show the gameness to fight. Taylor admitted taking part in the fighting and execution of dogs between 2001 and 2004.

All four confessed to running a dogfighting operation called Bad Newz Kennels from 2001-07 and that the ring was run out of a property Vick owns at 1915 Moonlight Road in Smithfield, Va., roughly 25 miles from Vick's hometown of Newport News.

Vick, Taylor, Phillips and Peace pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges to operate an interstate dogfighting ring in federal court in August. Each faces up to five years in prison, although their cooperation in reaching plea agreements could reduce the amount of prison time.

Sentencing for Taylor, Phillips and Peace will take place in November. Vick will be sentenced Dec. 10.

Those confessions and other evidence gathered by local and state investigators were presented to the grand jury and are expected to be included in court proceedings, unless plea agreements are reached.

Steve Wyche writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.