Former NFL football player for the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick and the two other defendants have perhaps learned now that dogfighting is not such a great sport and they made a plea bargain with the courts to avoid additional and more serious charges under the powerful Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. During the sentencing for Michael Vick's two accomplices on November 30, an attorney for Quantis Phillips argued that his client had come from a culture in which dogfighting was acceptable. In fact it was considered a proving ground for young men to demonstrate their strength. Apparently after Michael Vick signed his first NFL contract,....:suddenly there's money for these young men to get dogs...get involved in this world." District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson didn't buy this way of thinking and the whole culture idea. He stated, "You may have thought this was sporting, but it was very callous and cruel. I hope you understand that now." Vick's cohorts punishments were higher than recommended by federal prosecutors. 18-21 mionths in federal prison and 3 years of supervised probation following their release. At this time Michael Vick who had not yet been sentenced was being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia.