Vick is among four men indicted on federal charges in Virginia in connection with alleged dogfighting at his property in Surry County, Virginia.

WSB's Veronica Waters reports Vick, 27; Purnell Peace, age 35, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Quanis Phillips, age 28, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Tony Taylor, age 34, of Hampton, Virginia were indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities ("Travel Act"), and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Vick's nickname is "Ookie" in the indictment. It alleges the defendants based an ongoing animal fighting venture out of a property located in Smithfield, Virginia, from 2001 through April 25, 2007. The property was purchased for $34,000 by Vick in June 2001, and purportedly used to house and train American pit bulls for fighting and the venture was named "Bad Newz Kennels."

From at least 2002, the feds claim the defendants and others sponsored dog fights at the property, where participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas, Alabama, and other states to participate. Generally, only those accompanying the opposing kennels and "Bad Newz Kennels'" associates attended the fights.

High-Dollar Purses

For a particular dog fight, the participants would establish a purse for the winning side, ranging up to $13,000 per side. Participants and spectators would also place side-bets on the fight, which would last until the death or surrender of the losing dog.

In March 2003, Vick allegedly got a book bag out of a car which held $23,000 cash, which he gave to a person named only as "Cooperating Witness #2" as payment for winning two matches that month.

At the end of the fight, authorities say, the losing dog was sometimes put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot, electrocution, or another method. The indictment also alleges that the defendants participated in dog fights at locations other than the property in Smithfield.

For these events, the indictment says, various members of "Bad Newz Kennels" would travel to other parts of Virginia and across state lines to participate in dog fights at other venues. The indictment alleges that the defendants and the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogs participated in dog fights in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, and elsewhere in Virginia.

Dogs 'Tested' and Executed?

The indictment also includes allegations about the defendants "testing" the pit bulls in their inventory, to determine if particular dogs were good fighters. Sometimes, the dogs deemed not to be good fighters were be put to death. In the summer of 2002, at various times, Peace, Phillips, Taylor, and Vick performed "testing" sessions at the property in Smithfield. Following some of these sessions, the dogs that did not perform well were put to death by Peace, Phillips, or Taylor. Further, in April 2007, an additional "testing" session was performed by Peace, Phillips, and Vick. Following that session, the indictment alleges that approximately eight dogs were put to death by hanging, drowning, and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground.

If convicted on the Travel Act portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution. If convicted on the animal fighting venture portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking recovery of any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of these offenses.