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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT (TICKER) -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the dog fighting probe of his property in Virginia, according to a report Tuesday on ESPN.com.
According to the web site, Vick was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, as well as to sponsor a dog in animal fighting venture.
The indictment reportedly came in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Virginia, according to the web site.
The report also stated that three others - Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor - also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its web site that according to a Falcons' spokesperson, team owner Arthur Blank and president and general manager Rich McKay were traveling via airplane and will issue a statement later Tuesday.
The Falcons released a statement Tuesday night, expressing disappointment and apologizing to the team's fans.
"This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months. With today's news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion," the statement said. "We are disappointed that one of our players and therefore the Falcons is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that."
The Falcons added that the team's business will go on as usual while the matter goes through the judicial system.
"Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news from Virginia," the statement read. "However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches.
Dog fighting is illegal throughout the country and a felony in 48 states, including Virginia.
Federal agents from the United States Department of Agriculture searched the Surry County property owned by Vick on Friday, July 6.
Prior to that search, agents seized nearly 70 live dogs in April, mostly pit bulls on the land as well as dog carcasses. Investigators also found equipment commonly used in dog fighting.
In May, a confidential police informant on Sunday accused the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback of being a "heavyweight" in the sport of dog fighting, according to an ESPN report.
Appearing on the network's "Outside The Lines," the informant said he has seen Vick gamble on dog fights and bring dogs to fight from as far back as 2000.
The first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in the NFL, Vick was still a student at Virginia Tech in 2000, one year before he was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
The informant, whose identity was not revealed, said he saw Vick involved in dog fighting as recently as last year, saying the quarterback bet "large money" on the sport.
"I'm talking $30,000, $40,000," he told ESPN. "He's one of the heavyweights. He's a heavyweight. I've seen it."
On April 25, police raided a house owned by Vick in Smithfield, Virginia. The property was part of a drug investigation that stemmed from the arrest of Vick's cousin, Davon Boddie, who claimed the residence as his house.
Police found dozens of mistreated dogs allegedly used for fighting. Vick said previously that he rarely went to the house and did not know that a large kennel on the property could be involved in criminal activity.
On May 11, Vick, while speaking with reporters at the Falcons' three-day minicamp, told reporters he could not comment on the ongoing investigation on the advice of his attorneys.
According to the web site, Vick was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, as well as to sponsor a dog in animal fighting venture.
The indictment reportedly came in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Virginia, according to the web site.
The report also stated that three others - Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor - also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its web site that according to a Falcons' spokesperson, team owner Arthur Blank and president and general manager Rich McKay were traveling via airplane and will issue a statement later Tuesday.
The Falcons released a statement Tuesday night, expressing disappointment and apologizing to the team's fans.
"This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months. With today's news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion," the statement said. "We are disappointed that one of our players and therefore the Falcons is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that."
The Falcons added that the team's business will go on as usual while the matter goes through the judicial system.
"Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news from Virginia," the statement read. "However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches.
Dog fighting is illegal throughout the country and a felony in 48 states, including Virginia.
Federal agents from the United States Department of Agriculture searched the Surry County property owned by Vick on Friday, July 6.
Prior to that search, agents seized nearly 70 live dogs in April, mostly pit bulls on the land as well as dog carcasses. Investigators also found equipment commonly used in dog fighting.
In May, a confidential police informant on Sunday accused the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback of being a "heavyweight" in the sport of dog fighting, according to an ESPN report.
Appearing on the network's "Outside The Lines," the informant said he has seen Vick gamble on dog fights and bring dogs to fight from as far back as 2000.
The first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in the NFL, Vick was still a student at Virginia Tech in 2000, one year before he was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
The informant, whose identity was not revealed, said he saw Vick involved in dog fighting as recently as last year, saying the quarterback bet "large money" on the sport.
"I'm talking $30,000, $40,000," he told ESPN. "He's one of the heavyweights. He's a heavyweight. I've seen it."
On April 25, police raided a house owned by Vick in Smithfield, Virginia. The property was part of a drug investigation that stemmed from the arrest of Vick's cousin, Davon Boddie, who claimed the residence as his house.
Police found dozens of mistreated dogs allegedly used for fighting. Vick said previously that he rarely went to the house and did not know that a large kennel on the property could be involved in criminal activity.
On May 11, Vick, while speaking with reporters at the Falcons' three-day minicamp, told reporters he could not comment on the ongoing investigation on the advice of his attorneys.
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