Jon Jones Doesn’t Enter Plea, Scheduled To Meet With UFC Officials Tonight
After turning himself in and getting released on bond yesterday (Mon., April 27, 2015) UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones made his first court appearance, but did not enter a plea for felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident stemming from a Sunday morning incident where he is accused of hitting 25-year-old pregnant Albuquerque citizen Vanessa Sonnenberg.
The victim broke her wrist in the crash, escalating Jones’ potential charges from a misdemeanor to a felony.
According to a report from MMA Junkie, Jones’ attorney Vincent Ward requested that a travel restriction from his $2,500 bond be lifted, and the Bernalillo County Court judge agreed. His bond was continued, however, stipulating that he must remain abstain from alcohol and drugs, obey all laws, and stay in constant speaking contact with his lawyer.
Soon thereafter, a story came from MMA Fighting that Jones’ UFC bosses Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White, and COO Lawrence Epstein flew to Albuquerque to speak with Jones this evening. They are expected to make a statement either late Tuesday or sometime Wednesday.
While the allegations, which involve Jones grabbing a large handful of cash from his wrecked rental car and fleeing with his marijuana, pipe, and identifying paperwork still in the automobile, sound obviously terrible, Jones doesn’t technically have charges filed against him just yet.
The Bernalillo County District Attorneys’ office has 60 days to decide whether or not to file charges against Jones. If they did, a grand jury hearing would convene to determine if they would issue an official indictment. Jones would then have to enter his plea if the situation reached that point.
So Jones is in hot water, but he hasn’t officially been removed from his blockbuster UFC 187 showdown with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. With charges not filed yet, will Jones survive yet another controversial episode involving drugs?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
