The lawyer for National Football League quarterback Michael Vick has announced that the Atlanta Falcons star has reached an agreement to plead guilty to federal felony dogfighting conspiracy charges.
His attorney Billy Martin said Monday Vick "accepts full responsibility for his actions" and "wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter."
Vick's plea hearing will be held on Monday in Richmond, Virginia. His crimes are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although federal sentencing guidelines most likely will call for less.
According to a government official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, prosecutors will recommend Vick be sentenced to between 12 and 18 months in jail.
It is uncertain how a possible prison term would affect Vick's NFL career. An NFL statement said that Vick's admission was not in line with what he had told the commissioner after being charged.
The league had barred Vick from the Falcons' training camp and said it had asked the team to withhold further action while the NFL finished its own investigation.
Falcons officials say they are "certainly troubled" by news of Monday's plea but will withhold further comment in compliance with the NFL's request.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
