UFC champion Jon Jones has been arrested in New Mexico on DWI and firearm charges.
TMZ reports that police responded to reports of gunfire in Albuquerque in the early hours of Thursday, discovering Jones in the driver's seat of his 2019 Jeep with the engine still running. Officers on the scene made Jones take some sobriety tests, all of which he performed poorly on. When he took a breathalyzer, the results were reportedly around twice the legal limit. Jones allegedly admitted to driving earlier in the night and said he intended to drive again.
While he denied knowing anything about gunshots fired, he was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated and negligent use of a firearm, driving with no proof of insurance, and possession of an open container. His arrest report indicates that he has already been released from custody. A black handgun and a bottle of Recuerdo were found inside the vehicle.
"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," said Albuquerque Police communications director Gilbert Gallegos in a statement shared with MMA Fighting. "Reducing gun violence in Albuquerque is our top priority."
Jones was previously arrested for driving under the influence in 2012 after he crashed his Bentley Continental GT into a pole. He plead guilty to DUI charges, but he was later arrested again in 2015 after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque. He also has a long and well-documented history with substance abuse.
