RICHMOND, Va. -- A federal grand jury has indicted Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in an investigation into illegal dogfighting.

Vick and three others were charged with violating federal laws against competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

They are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond on July 26, the same day the Falcons begin training camp. The four will have a bond hearing before a magistrate judge at 3:30 p.m., and an arraignment will follow at 4 p.m., the court said Wednesday.

If convicted of conducting illegal enterprises across state lines, Vick -- who was known as "Ookie" on the dogfighting circuit -- could face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of dogfighting, he could face up to one year in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.

According to officials, dogfights have been sponsored by Bad Newz Kennels at the property since 2001. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.

Members of the venture also knowingly transported, delivered and received dogs for animal fighting, the documents state.

John Goodwin of the Humane Society of the United States said the details were especially troubling.

About eight young dogs were put to death at the Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007, the indictment said. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."

Vick was allegedly consulted before a wounded Bad Newz Kennel dog was doused with water and electrocuted.

"Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day," Goodwin said. "Those are extremely violent methods of execution -- they're unnecessary and just sick."

The Atlanta Falcons released the following statement on the team's Web site:

"We are disappointed that one of our players -- and therefore the Falcons -- is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that.

"Obviously, we are disturbed by today’s news from Virginia. However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches."

During an April 25 drug raid at the property, authorities seized 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. About half the dogs were tethered to car axles with heavy chains that allowed the dogs to get close to each other but not to have contact, an arrangement typical for fighting dogs, according to the search warrant affidavit.

Investigators seized a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; a pry bar used to open the clamped mouths of dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting.

In late May, federal agents obtained a search warrant based on information that there were as many as 30 dog carcasses buried on the property. But the warrant was never executed because prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter questioned the way it was worded.

A second federal search was conducted in early July, when officials dug up the property looking for dog carcasses.

Vick, who is in the process of selling the property, said he rarely visits the home and was unaware of any crime that might have been taking place there. His cousin, Davon Boddie, was living in the house at the time of the raids.