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Jon Jon pleads guilty – Avoids jail time for DWI, firearms charge

"Jones took responsibility for his actions early on in the case and in doing so..."

It’s official: UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will avoid any jail time after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated.

Jones was arrested on March 26th in Albuquerque, New Mexico, charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container, and no proof of insurance. TMZ recently reported that Jones and prosecutors had reached a plea deal regarding the transgression. Jones received 96 hours of community custody (house arrest), one year of supervised probation, a minimum 90 days of outpatient therapy. The therapy will occur via video conference due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. However, Jones will go to jail should he violate the terms of the plea deal.

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A Statement was released by the Bernalillo (N.M.) District Attorney’s office regarding the sentencing.

“Jon Jones pleaded guilty to his second DWI. The incident happened on March 26, 2020 outside a downtown Albuquerque nightclub, just two months after his probation ended following an incident at an Albuquerque strip club. Jones took responsibility for his actions early on in the case and in doing so the state agreed to 1 year supervised probation,” the statement read. “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 4 days on CCP with 90 days for turn-in (the metropolitan jail just reported a new case of COVID-19). Jones is still required to complete a minimum of 90 day outpatient 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.”

While this is great news for Jones, this news will most likely cause some backlash due to Jones’ propensity for controversy outside the cage. He has pleaded guilty to a previous DWI as well as a hit-and-run incident involving a pregnant woman. Earlier last year, he received a 90 day deferred sentence for an incident at a strip club in which he reportedly accosted a waitress.

Is it right for Jon Jones to avoid jail for another repeated offence?

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With roots in muay thai and as an avid combat sports fan, Sebastian Vendel-Martinez grew up while the MMA scene was blossoming in Sweden. He became part of the MMAnytt team in 2012 and has gone on to become one of the most prominent MMA reporters in Scandinavia. Currently he continues to work as a writer, reporter, video producer/editor and head editor for MMAnytt.com