UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been charged with two misdemeanors involving a drug-testing agent who filed a police report about his alleged conduct after going to Jones’ house to gather a pattern on March 30.
Jones was charged with assault — a petty misdemeanor — and interference with communications, a misdemeanor, together with his digital bond listening to scheduled on July 17 at 9:15 a.m. MT in New Mexico. Bernalillo County Court docket representatives confirmed the data in an electronic mail despatched to MMA Combating on Monday.
If convicted of each full expenses, Jones may face jail time that will be lower than one yr complete and as much as a $500 fantastic for the petty misdemeanor and as much as $1,000 for the misdemeanor.
The complete ordeal surrounds drug-testing brokers from the UFC’s anti-doping companions at Drug Free Sport, who have been despatched to Jones’ house to gather a random pattern. After arriving, an agent recognized as Crystal Martinez claimed Jones “appeared agitated” after he was unable to offer a urine pattern and he was provided the chance for a blood take a look at as an alternative.
Martinez claimed that Jones then started asking them questions together with “if they’d cash” as a result of he was going to sue them. She additionally claimed that Jones allegedly grabbed her telephone and “began recording them.”
Martinez instructed police she was “terrified” with Jones standing lower than a foot away from her in the course of the alleged incident and she or he was “afraid Jones would possibly hit her” after she contemplated terminating the drug take a look at and leaving his property.
Jones later issued a press release of his personal vehemently denying the allegations.
“I used to be not too long ago visited by testers whereas I used to be celebrating a birthday and taking a nap,” Jones mentioned in April. “Upon waking up, I used to be caught off guard by the unprofessionalism and protocol by one of many testers which prompted frustration main me to make use of some profanity I remorse. Nonetheless, I need to emphasize that at no level did I threaten, get in anybody’s face, elevate my voice to anybody, or have interaction in any type of assault.
“It’s unlucky that false information has been unfold with out correct fact-checking. I need to guarantee you that I’ll vigorously defend myself towards these baseless accusations. The reality is, the incident merely didn’t happen.”
Throughout Jones’ scheduled look on July 17, he’ll learn concerning the expenses towards him and requested to enter a plea. The choose will then set circumstances of launch for the UFC heavyweight whereas the case is pending.
The case will then be set for a bench trial in 30 to 45 days.
Jones is presently at first levels of getting ready for his return to motion the place he’s anticipated to defend his heavyweight title towards former champion Stipe Miocic with the struggle presently anticipated for November at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.
