Jon Jones has managed to avoid jail time after pleading guilty to a DWI charge on March 26 in Albuquerque, N.M.
The UFC light heavyweight champion struck a plea deal with prosecutors in which he will serve 96 hours in a community custody program, which is a form of incarceration similar to house arrest. Jones will wear an ankle monitor as part of the terms of the program, which will alert authorities if he leaves his home without permission. Jones also agreed to one-year supervised probation. TMZ Sports was first to report the news.
Jones must also complete 48 hours community service and a 90-day drug outpatient treatment program, the latter of which can be completed via video conferencing due to ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, Jones was fined $500 and is required to install an ignition interlock in his vehicle. Jones will be permitted to carry a medical marijuana card.
“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,” said a Bernalillo County District Attorney spokesperson.
Jones was arrested in downtown Albuquerque last Thursday and charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container of alcohol and operating a vehicle without insurance. The other charges will be dropped in exchange for Jones guilty plea on the DWI.
“While we all work to understand and cope with stress and uncertainties surrounding the current state of our world, I want to express how truly disappointed I am that I have become the source of a negative headline again, especially during these trying times,” Jones said in a statement released to ESPN. “I am disappointed for letting down the people I care about the most, my family, friends and my fans. … I accept full responsibility for my actions and I know that I have some personal work to do to which involves the unhealthy relationship I have with alcohol.
“I have dedicated so much time and energy to improve my community and I will not allow this personal setback to hinder my work within the community when we need it most. I truly appreciate the support I have received from the community of Albuquerque and all my fans around the world. I very much look forward to putting this behind me. Thanks you all for your continued love and support and please take care of yourselves.”
The Jackson-Wink MMA standout has a lengthy and well-documented history of legal issues. Most recently, Jones was charged with battery from an incident in a strip club on July 2019. He has also been involved with multiple vehicle-related offenses, including drag racing in 2016 and a hit-and-run of a pregnant woman in 2015. In 2012, he crashed his Bentley into a telephone pole and was charged with a DWI in New York.
Jones’ last Octagon appearance came at UFC 247, where he edged Dominick Reyes in a five-round decision victory in Houston on Feb. 8.