Vick to plead quilty to dogfighting charges!

[JWS]

After pleaing innocence for a months, Michael Vick now will plead guilty for running a vicious dog fighting ring that resulted in the deaths of scores of pit bulls. Vick's NFL career could be over. This whole thing is sick.



RICHMOND, Va. - Michael Vick agreed Monday to plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, a deal that leaves the Atlanta Falcons quarterback facing up to 18 months in prison and puts his NFL career in jeopardy.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Vick be sentenced to between a year and 18 months in prison, according to a government official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms have not yet been made final.

That would be a higher penalty than is usually recommended for first-time convicts, and reflects an attempt by the government to show that animal abusers will receive more than a slap on the wrist for their crimes, the official said.

The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson will have the final say on how much time Vick will ultimately spend in jail.

Vick’s plea hearing is Aug. 27.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20350573/