Vick Co-Defendant Released From Prison

POSTED: 12:03 pm EDT March 20, 2008
UPDATED: 12:14 pm EDT March 20, 2008


LEWISBURG, Penn. -- Tony Taylor, who pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges in the so-called "Michael Vick Dogfighting Ring" has been released from federal prison.

Channel 2 Action News has confirmed Taylor was released by the Federal Bureau of Prisons from its Lewisburg, Penn. facility Thursday at 8:22am.

Taylor served approximately two months in prison who his role in the operation. Vick, Taylor, and two others admitted training, fighting, and executing dogs on Vick's Smithfield, Va. property. Some of the dogs were hung, electrocuted, or shot to death, according to court records filed by federal prosecutors.

Prosecutors recommended a short prison sentence for Taylor because of his cooperation with authorities after the four men were indicted last summer. Taylor's testimony and assistance was used by prosecutors in their pursuit of a guilty plea from Vick.

After hearing from prosecutors and Taylor's attorneys, Judge Henry Hudson gave Taylor a two-month sentence in December.

John Goodwin, lead animal fighting investigator with the Humane Society of the United States, told wsbtv.com, "These dog fighting rings are difficult to infiltrate. But Tony Taylor has learned being cooperative with the goverment pays off. It's getting him out of jail much sooner."

University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias told wsbtv.com, "Cooperating with prosecutors can be a major factor in determining sentences for federal criminal defendants because prosecutors want to encourage cooperation in the specific case and in future cases."

Vick is expected to be released in July, 2009, nearly two years after beginning his sentence. Vick is being held in the Leavenworth federal prison in Kansas.