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Jon Jones pleads guilty to DWI, avoids jail time after reaching deal with prosecutors

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pled guilty to driving while intoxicated and will be sentenced to house arrest.

Jones, 32, was arrested in the early morning hours of March 26 in his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., and charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container, and no proof of insurance.

On Tuesday, TMZ reported that Jones struck a deal with prosecutors in which he will avoid jail time, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by MMA Junkie. Instead Jones will receive 96 hours of community custody (essentially house arrest), one year of supervised probation, a minimum 90 days of outpatient therapy – which will be conducted via video conferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic – and 48 hours worth of community service.

TMZ first reported news of Jones’ plea agreement. The Bernalillo (N.M.) District Attorney’s office issued a statement confirming the deal and stated any violations of the agreement will result in jail time.

“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.”

Jones’ arrest was the latest in a long string of brushes with the law for the fighter considered by many the greatest in MMA history. The highest profile incidents were a 2012 escapade in which he was charged with DUI after wrecking his Bentley by crashing into a telephone pole in upstate New York, and a 2015 occasion in which he was charged with hit-and-run after injuring a pregnant woman in a collision in Albuquerque.

Jones was stripped of his light heavyweight title for the latter incident but has managed to avoid serious jail time for his various infractions.

For the first time since his arrest, Jones issued a statement Tuesday through his management team.

“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. “I am disappointed for letting down the people I care about the most – my family, friends and my fans. This morning I entered into a plea deal with the Albuquerque DA’s office. I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I know that I have some personal work to do, which involves the unhealthy relationship I have with alcohol.”

The UFC has not yet formally commented on Jones’ case.

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