The fifth man in Michael Vick's dogfighting ring will be sentenced today in Richmond federal court.

Oscar Allen, 67, from the Williamsburg area, pleaded guity in October to to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce to aid in illegal gambling and to sponsor a dog in animal fighting -- the same charge to which Vick and three co-defendants pleaded guilty.

Vick, the suspended Atlanta Falcons star, was sentenced in December to 23 months in federal prison.

Allen faced a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but federal prosecutors recommended that he spend no time in prison because he cooperated with investigators, had no prior criminal record and was a minor player in Vick's dogfighting enterprise.

In his plea agreement, Allen admitted selling a pit bull named Jane to Bad Newz Kennels and traveling with Vick's associates to dog fights. He also advised the Vick crew on managing and caring for the dogs and helped conduct test fights to determine which ones were good fighters.

Prosecutors said Allen didn't help kill the six to eight dogs that failed to perform well.

Allen was indicted separately from Vick and three co-defendants. Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach was sentenced to 18 months, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta to 21 months and Tony Taylor of Hampton to two months.

-- The Associated Press