Jon Jones pleads guilty to DWI, agrees to one-year supervised probation

Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey

Current UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon 'Bones' Jones has pleaded guilty to a DWI (driving while intoxicated) charge this evening, following an arrest on March 26th. last, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The New York native was arrested by officer Brian Johnson last week in the early hours of Thursday morning for DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container, and failure to provide proof of insurance for a Jeep he was operating. Police responded to a report of gunshots - subsequently finding Jones sitting in the driver's seat of a Jeep, with another man sitting on a nearby curb. Upon further inspection of the towed vehicle, police discovered a handgun under the driver's seat, with a discharged round casing found, matching the calibre of the discovered weapon.

The Rochester born look-see-do fighter has also been placed under house arrest for four days, fined $500, must complete forty-eight hours of community service, place an ignition interlock in all his vehicles, and finally, complete a ninety-day treatment outpatient programme. The charges of negligent use of a firearm, driving with an open container, and failure to provide proof of insurance have been dropped as part of his plea deal. Jones has also agreed on one-year supervised probation, according to an initial report by TMZ.

In a statement from Bernalillo Country District Attorney, Michael Patrick retrieved by MMA Fighting, Patrick outlined the details of the plea deal.

"(Jon) Jones took responsibility for his actions early on in the case, and in doing so, the state agreed to one year supervised probation. Normally, the state would be requesting a pre-sentencing report and a recommendation to substance recovery court, however, due to COVID-19 it is not clear the program can accept anyone at this time. It is also the reason that we are agreeing to the four days on (house arrest) with ninety-days for turn-in [the metropolitan jail just reported a new case of COVID-19]. Jones is still required to complete a minimum of ninety-day out-patient treatment, maximum fines and fees, community service and all other requirements of reporting to probation. His attorney and Mr. Jones have been made aware that if he fails to do this, the State will seek to impose the balance of any jail time without regard for any exceptional circumstances."

The 32-year-old is scheduled for a hearing on April 8th. in Albuquerque, following a third run-in with law enforcement in recent years. Jones was arrested back in May of 2012 after his Bentley Continental GT collided with a telephone pole in his native New York - and was arrested for DUI (driving under the influence) and subsequently had his driver's license suspended for six months.

Infamously, in 2015, Jones was involved in a hit-and-run incident with a pregnant woman, in which he fled from the scene. The two-time light heavyweight champion is alleged to have returned to his rented Buick SUV where he retrieved a sum of money, according to a witness. Upon the approval of an arrest warrant, Jones turned himself in to law enforcement.

In relation to his latest arrest, the UFC issued an official statement where they confirmed their knowledge of the incident.

"UFC is aware of the situation regarding Jon Jones in Albuquerque early this morning. The organization has been in contact with Jones' management team and is currently gathering additional information."

Jones last featured under the UFC banner back in the main event of UFC 247, where he successfully defended his light heavyweight title in a razor-thin decision victory over the then-undefeated, Dominick Reyes.

➜Twitter

➜Facebook

➜Instagram