Police officers arrested UFC legend Jon Jones in New Mexico early Thursday morning on charges of aggravated DWI and negligent use of a firearm, according to the Albuquerque Police Department.
According to a criminal complaint, Jones tested “at or above twice the legal limit†on a breathalyzer test after his arrest.
Open Alcohol Container, Handgun Found in Jeep
The complaint details an Albuquerque police officer’s response to a single gunshot just before 1 am on Thursday. The officer says he saw Jones in the driver’s seat of a black Jeep with another person standing outside the vehicle on the passenger side.
According to the complaint, Jones said he didn’t know what caused the gunshot noise. However, a DWI investigation was conducted after the officer claimed he saw an open bottle of alcohol on the passenger seat. Jones was arrested upon completion of the investigation.
Officers noted that the alcohol in question was a bottle of El Recuerdo, a mezcal endorsed by fellow UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal.
Officers had the Jeep towed after the arrest and, in a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers found a handgun under the driver’s seat. Police also found a spent round outside the driver-side door, matching the caliber of the gun.
“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,†Albuquerque police director of communications Gilbert Gallegos said in a statement. “Reducing gun violence in Albuquerque is our top priority.â€
Jones, who pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct in April 2019, is no longer on probation in relation to that case, according to Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Michael Patrick.
ESPN reported that aggravated DWI carries up to 90 days in jail in New Mexico. The negligent use of a deadly weapon charge has a maximum penalty of six months in jail. Police also charged Jones with possession of an open container and no proof of insurance, according to the criminal complaint.
Troubled History Has Diminished Jones’ UFC Dominance
Like many people throughout the United States, Jones had been spending much of his recent time self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience he shared with fans on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9_Od5iFxRT/
Jones (26-1) holds the UFC light heavyweight championship title and hasn’t lost a fight since 2009 when he took a defeat by disqualification for using illegal downward elbows in a bout against Matt Hamill. He has held the light heavyweight title on several occasions, but positive drug tests have interrupted his reign multiple times.
Legal issues have also marred Jones’ career. In 2015, Albuquerque police alleged that Jones crashed a rental car, then ran from the scene, leaving behind an injured pregnant woman. Jones eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. The UFC also stripped him of his title.
In 2019, Jones was charged with battery for an incident involving a cocktail waitress, also in Albuquerque. A judge handed down a 90-day deferred sentence after Jones pleaded no contest to the charge.
Jones most recently won the UFC light heavyweight title in December 2018 with a third-round TKO victory over Alexander Gustafsson. He has since defended that title three times, most recently in February when he won a controversial decision over Dominick Reyes.
