Michael Vick surrenders, begins jail sentence
November 19, 2007

After all the media attention, through all the protests, and following his acceptance of a plea bargain, Michael Vick has surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Monday to begin serving time on his criminal sentence for his part in a dogfighting operation. However, Michael Vick will not even learn what his jail sentence is in relation to his dogfighting conspiracy charge until December.

After Michael Vick turned himself in to U.S. Marshals, he was transported from the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Richmond, Virginia over to Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw. Fox News quoted an order filed in U.S. District Court, which read, "This matter is before the Court after Defendant Michael Vick has indicated his desire to voluntarily enter custody prior to his sentencing hearing. It appearing appropriate to do so, the U.S. Marshal is ordered to take custody of the Defendant immediately upon his surrender."

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson of Richmond, the same judge who will sentence Michael Vick on December 10, signed an order which allowed the U.S. Marshal's Service to take Michael Vick into custody. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted the order, which said that Michael Vick was put into custody "based solely on his desire to begin his period of incarceration prior to his sentencing hearing and not because of a violation of any condition of his bond." Though Michael Vick is expected to face a 12-to-18 month sentence for his crimes, he could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison.

In August, Michael Vick pleaded guilty to being a part of a dogfighting operation in Surry County, Virginia, known as Bad News Kennelz. During his confession, Michael Vick acknowledged that he had financed the operation starting in 2001, all the way up to this past spring. The plea agreement also had Michael Vick admit that he had been involved in the "victimization and killing of pit bull dogs."

Michael Vick was the first overall draft pick in the 2001 NFL draft, making him the first African American quarterback to be taken #1 overall. After a few years with the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick signed a 10-year contract with the organization worth $130 million, along with a $37 million signing bonus. That contract made Michael Vick the highest paid player in the NFL, and one of the most highly paid players in pro sports. Vick lost that contract upon his guilty plea to the dogfighting charges.