An 18-page document details the federal indictment of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick by Grand Jury on charges of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to aid in unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.

Vick is named along with three others: Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips, and Tony Taylor for purchasing and developing property to serve as the main staging area for housing and training pit bulls for dogfights and for also hosting such fights. This property of course is the 1915 Moonlight Road address in Smithfield, VA that has been searched by both local and federal authorities beginning on April 25, 2007.

According to the documents, Vick purchased this property in late June 2001 for $34,000, after the four collectively decided early that year to start this venture. Vick was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Draft in April of 2001. Between 2002 and 2005, the group under the name of “Bad Newz Kennels” developed the property at Moonlight Road, by building a house, fence, sheds, and kennels for housing and training the dogs.

The documents also detail several incidents where dogs were executed, most of which as result of faring poorly in” testing” exercises. As recently as April of this past year, Peace, Phillips, and Vick are named in executing 8 dogs by various methods including hanging, drowning, and slamming one dog’s body into the ground. It is the only time in which Vick is directly named in the execution of any dogs. Although in March 2003, after consulting with Vick, Peace electrocuted a dog. According to the documents, Peace also executed 3 other dogs by shooting, with Phillips doing the same for one dog, and Taylor killing two dogs by shooting and electrocution.

Fights were detailed as well in the documents, beginning in 2002 and running through 2005, in which purses ranged from $1,000 up to $26,000 for the sponsors of the victorious dog.

A PDF version of the file is viewable and downloadable via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s website.

ESPN reports that Vick is unlikely to be indicted according to sources cited by Chris Mortensen. According to the report, authorities have indicated a lack of evidence that can tie Vick to the dogfighting ring.

Earlier today, federal investigators executed their second search of the property, which coincided with the released of papers they had filed earlier in the week indicated that dogfighting did occur on the property. However, Vick was not named in these documents and no charges have yet to be filed.

According to the ESPN report, at least three people are expected to be indicted, none of whom have been identified, but none are expected to be Vick.

According to an Associated Press report federal investigators filed papers earlier this week indicating that the former property owned by Michael Vick in Surry County, Virginia was an area where dogfighting occurred.

The documents filed on Monday say that the property was a “main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved.” However, Vick nor any other individuals were listed in the documents and no charges have been filed. However, Bad Newz Kennels is listed as the entity that was sponsoring dogfights at the property since at least 2002. The documents list that dog fights linked to this property and that group were staged in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.

The documents list collected evidence from the property from the initial April search, in which fifty three pit bulls were recovered, a rape stand, an electric treadmill modified for dogs, and a bloody carpet. Federal investigators became involved in this case when they executed a search of the property in early June. During that search, they recovered the bodies of seven dead pit bulls.

State investigators have been accused of stalling the investigation, and according to a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police are serving in an assistance role with the federal investigation.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has linked to the documents (PDF file).

It had been reported that Surry County officials had planned to meet two weeks ago to review collected evidence in order to figure out where the Michael Vick investigation would progress. Now the AJC reports that meeting has not yet taken place, and there has been no word if or when such a meeting may take place at a later date.

On June 7, federal investigators executed a search warrant of Vick’s former property. And with this latest development, it seems that the federal government has become the forerunner in this investigation. WVEC reported that federal investigators were looking for the remains of dog carcasses, dogfighting equipment, and blood stains.

Steve Wyche of the AJC reports that Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter has indicated that enough evidence has come forward to progress the case to the extent that a specially called grand jury could take place at some point this summer, possibly as early as July.

Poindexter is in charge of the investigation of allegations of Vick’s involvement in dogfighting at a former property of his in Virginia. According to the AJC, two people have come forward potentially offering their testimony. Currently, Poindexter and investigators are looking into the backgrounds of both persons.

A search warrant was issued last week around the notion of searching Vick’s former property for the remains of several dead dogs and also instruments including weapons, ropes, and shovels that could have brought about the demise of those dogs. However, due to language in the search warrant, it has not yet been executed.

WAVY TV reports that Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell may take over the decision making process from Surry County prosecutor Gerald Poindexter on whether to charge Michael Vick on his involvement to suspected dogfighting and animal abuse that occurred on his property.

Earlier this week, investigators met to review evidence, but no charges were filed upon conclusion of the meeting. According to reports, Poindexter seems confident charges will be brought eventually, although no firm timetable has been expressed. Although it is yet unknown if Vick himself will be charged. Up until now, McDonnell has had no involvement in the case or investigation, and has admitted that he is only informed as much as the public has been.

Former Falcons cornerback Ray Buchanan denied reports that he had indicated Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was heavily involved in dog fighting per an AJC report. Last Friday, FOX Sports Radio host Chris Landry indicated that Buchanan had intimated to him in an off-air, off the record conversation over draft weekend about Vick’s reported involvement in dog fighting.

Buchanan said that he had told Landry that Vick is passionate about his dogs, but never that it was anyway related to dog fighting. Upon hearing of Buchanan’s denial, Landry indicated that he stands by his previous report.

Buchanan played with the Falcons between 1997 and 2003, including the last three years as a teammate of Vick.

In an AJC article by Steve Wyche, Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn and cornerback DeAngelo Hall indicated that the off-field issues of Michael Vick are not causing distractions to the team. Horn said that Vick is focused and trying to retain his role as team leader. The Falcons began a three-day minicamp today.

Vick’s most recent run-in with the law involves accusations of animal abuse and illegal dog-fighter on property he owns in Virginia. Vick has denied any direct connection to the illegal activities that go on at the property outside ownership and having family members reside there. But some reports indicate that Vick was much more involved at the illegal canine activity at the property. As of yet, no charges have been filed against him. Reportedly, the property was sold this past Wednesday.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank indicated in other reports that he is somewhat concerned about the potential for Vick to serve a suspension due to this off-field incidents. Vick met with league commissioner Roger Goodell on draft day, in which Goodell clearly indicated his expectations on Vick’s behavior. Goodell has recently instituted a much tougher player conduct policy, under which Vick may face league punishment regardless of the legal outcome of the investigation.

Michael Vick had an informal 20-minute meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Saturday in New York per a Steve Wyche report. Vick met with Goodell at Radio City Music Hall, the site of the 2007 NFL Draft, where Vick was attending as part of a pre-draft ceremony honoring Virginia Tech.

Vick indicated that he and the commissioner discussed the recent off-field incidents involving himself. In an interview with ESPN, Vick vowed that things would change in relationship with his behavior and those who he associated with.

An Associated Press report indicates that a drug probe led authorities to properties owned by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in Smithfield, Virginia.

Vick owns the property, but does not live there. His cousin, Davon Boddie, is the house’s resident and was the subject of the drug-related investigation. Boddie was arrested last week outside a nightclub in Hampton, Virginia on charges of marijuana possession and distribution. This led authorities to further investigations at the home in Smithfield.

While on the property, they found 70 dogs, mostly pitbulls, and some of them appeared malnourished, scarred, and injured, leading animal control specialists and authorities to believe they were involved with illegal dog-fighting. Roughly half the dogs were found chained to buried car axles, and also equipment used to train fighting dogs including treadmills, chains, whips, and drugs were found on the premises.

The Human Society issued a statement in which they indicated hearing previous reports of Vick’s involvement in dog fighting.

In other legal matters, Vick also faces trespassing charges in the city of Suffolk, Virginia. There, Vick was charged with trespassing while fishing in a local lake in February. A hearing will not occur if Vick pays a $500 fine, and as of Wednesday, that fine is unpaid.