UFC Light-Heavyweight Champ Jon Jones Arrested For Alleged Negligent Use Of A Firearm & DWI

UFC Light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones was arrested for an alleged DWI and negligent use of a firearm Thursday morning in New Mexico. Jones was reportedly charged with possession of an open container with no proof of insurance on him. According to Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center Records, Jones was released later that morning.

Jones was given a breathalyzer test upon his arrest and his levels were said to be “at or above twice the legal limit,” according to the Albuquerque Police Department.

According to police records, an officer was called to the crime scene after a complaint about a gunshot that was heard in the area around 12:58 a.m. Thursday. The officer allegedly encountered Jones sitting in the driver’s seat of a black Jeep and another man standing outside the car beside the passenger side door. In the police report, the officer wrote that he spotted an open alcohol container behind the passenger seat and said Jones had no knowledge of where the gunshot came from.

Another officer was called to the scene and Jones was subsequently arrested after taking a DWI test. The criminal complaint stated that Jones had “blood shot watery eyes’ and a “strong odor of alcohol coming from his facial region” and admitted to driving earlier in the night with plans to drive again later on. The criminal complaint also said Jones “performed poorly” on all three field sobriety tests he was given.

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The UFC star’s vehicle was later towed and following a search by police, a gun was found beneath the driver’s seat and a fired round was discovered beside the driver’s car door. Albuquerque police director of communications Gilbert Gallegos said Jones’ gun would later be examined to determine if it had been used in any criminal activities.

“As part of the investigation into this incident, our Gun Violence Reduction Unit will test the firearm and bullet casing to determine whether the gun has been used in any crimes,” Gallegos said. “Reducing gun violence in Albuquerque is our top priority.”

The UFC released a statement saying they have been informed about the situation and have been “in contact with Jones’ management team and is currently gathering additional information.” Jones has a bond arraignment scheduled for April 8, according to Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Michael Patrick.

The light-heavyweight champ previously had a DWI in New York in 2012 and was charged with a hit and run in 2015, placing him on probation until 2018. Jones’ representatives declined to comment on the matter.

Article by Frank DeLorenzo