Vick files guilty plea in federal court

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick says he's guilty of being a part of a conspiracy to operate a dog fighting ring across state lines.

Vick admitted to the charge in a plea agreement filed today in federal court in Virginia.

After a week of negotiations, Vick has agreed to cooperate with the government if they want to go after other dog fighting rings.

In exchange, federal prosecutors agreed to throw out the charges of killing dogs and gambling on the dog fights and they're recommending Judge Henry Hudson give Vick the lowest sentence possible; a year.

PATE: I don't see the judge going with the government's recommendation.

Page Pate is a criminal defense attorney based in Atlanta.

PATE: I think the judge considers this to be an egregious case and he has already put the co-defendants and everybody else in the world on notice that this is an aggravated sort of an offense.

The highest possible sentence is 5 years. Vick will officially enter his plea in court on Monday. It's unclear when the judge will schedule Vick's sentencing date.