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MANILA, Philippines – Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones pleaded guilty at a second judicial district court in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Wednesday, September 30 (Manila Time) to a felony charge of fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run accident this past April.
With UFC president Dana White in attendance, Jones entered a guilty plea to Judge Charles W. Brown, and the presiding judge accepted the fighter’s plea without adjudication and granted a conditional discharge with an 18-month probation.
“Mr. Jones, you got real lucky, and in a number of ways, I think you need to talk to young people because making one stupid decision changes your entire future,” Brown stated during the hearing.
Jones will avoid a felony conviction as long as he finishes his probation and completes the 72 speaking engagements without incident, and it could end earlier than 18 months if the court decides due to good standing.
“This has been a huge wake-up call for him. Ever since he walked away from that car, he’s done everything to make amends,” Jones’ attorney Vincent Ward expressed.
In addition, Jones evaded fines and other restrictions traditionally imposed on parolees such as traveling out of the state and possessing a firearm.
Jones was arrested in April as he ran a red light and drove a rented Buick SUV into another car, which then collided with a third vehicle.
It was later revealed that the woman driver named Vanessa Sonnenberg suffered a broken arm in the accident.
An off-duty police officer, who was present at the scene and identified the UFC fighter, reported that Jones left his car, sprinted a short distance away and returned to grab cash from the vehicle before fleeing again.
Under New Mexico state law, the alleged act elevates the charge from misdemeanor to felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in jail with fines.
As a result of the unfortunate incident, he was stripped of his UFC light heavyweight championship and was placed on indefinite suspension
“I am here to accept full responsibility for what happened, and I hope you can give me an opportunity to redeem myself,” Jones said.
In early December, Jones tested positive for metabolites of cocaine while training for his January bout against Cormier.
Jones was allowed to compete because the test was conducted out of competition and outpointed Cormier via unanimous decision a month later in their title tilt. – Rappler.com
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