Conor McGregor Has Charges Reduced For Miami Cell Phone Arrest

Conor McGregor has had his charges reduced by prosecutors for his arrest in Miami Beach last month.

According to USA TODAY Sports, prosecutors reduced the degree of one felony charge and converted the other to a misdemeanor. The actions reduced his potential maximum prison sentence from 20 years to six.

Ed Griffith, spokesperson for the Miami-Dade state attorney, told USA TODAY Sports the following about the situation:

“As a matter of normal procedure, police officers arrest and charge based on probable cause, the lowest evidentiary standard. Prosecutors must believe that they can prove the potential charges beyond a reasonable doubt, a much higher standard of required evidence.”

Charges Lowered

McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach on March 11. He allegedly slapped a cell phone out of a fan’s hand when he attempted to take his picture outside a nightclub. McGregor then stepped on the phone and walked off with it, according to police records.

He was arrested on criminal mischief charges because the value of the phone was originally set at $1,000. That charge was lowered to a misdemeanor since the value of the phone is now reportedly in between $200 and $1,000.

Potential Issues

McGregor also faced a second-degree felony of strong-armed robbery. That charge was lowered to robbery by sudden snatching, which is a third-degree felony. April 10 marks the next hearing. Former assistant U.S. Attorney David S. Weinstein opened up to USA TODAY Sports about the potential issues the arrest may carry for McGregor:

“Like his other arrest, his biggest problem is the affect that a conviction will have on his immigration status. A conviction for this offense qualifies as an aggravated felony. It remains a privilege to enter the U.S. and not a right. So if there is a conviction, that will allow U.S. immigration authorities to prevent him from entering the U.S. on a visitor or work visa.”

McGregor was recently cleared of all charges on his infamous Brooklyn bus attack from April 2018 after completely his community service. He made headlines this week for his highly-publicized Twitter war with rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. While he appeared to un-retire in a post meant to quell those raging seas, his MMA return is currently unknown.