Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has put a major legal issue behind him after prosecutors dismissed charges linked to a February traffic incident in New Mexico.
Jones had been accused of fleeing the scene of an accident earlier this year. But according to a press release cited by Fox News Digital, the case was formally dropped Tuesday when the state filed a nolle prosequi, ending the matter before it reached a scheduled bench trial.
His attorney, Christopher A. Dodd, said the outcome confirmed what Jones had maintained from the beginning.
“We have been fully vindicated,” Dodd said. “From the very beginning, we explained that a woman made a false allegation against Jon in an effort to avoid being arrested for DWI, and unfortunately, the police accepted that claim without properly weighing the facts. Once the relevant documents were finally disclosed by the police department, Jon’s cell phone records made it undeniably clear that he was nowhere near the scene of the crash. We are grateful that the district attorney’s office took the time to conduct a full and fair review of this case, which ultimately confirmed Jon’s innocence.”
Dodd added that his team is still scrutinizing how law enforcement handled the matter.
“At the same time, it is deeply troubling that such critical evidence was disregarded, forcing Jon to endure this ordeal unnecessarily. Our investigation into how this occurred remains ongoing,” he noted.
The accusations stemmed from a February crash in Albuquerque, when a woman claimed Jones had been driving one of the cars and left the scene. Police records indicate the woman showed “significant intoxication” at the time.
Dodd has consistently rejected the allegations. Back in June, he said, “Jon was not driving that night; he wasn’t in the car. It appears that an intoxicated woman used a false allegation against Jon to avoid being arrested for DWI, and the police fell for it. Based on the criminal complaint, it looks like they went so far as to seek a warrant for Jon’s cell phone records while conducting a misdemeanor traffic investigation. I have never heard of such a thing.”
Jones, who retired in June while still holding the UFC heavyweight belt, has fought sparingly since 2020. Though he announced his retirement, he has also hinted at a possible comeback in 2026.
Of course they went after him, he is a Trump supporter.
How did this woman even know Jones?
Cases like this are difficult for the police. Had they not pursued charges they would have been accused of favoritism. It doesn’t seem unreasonable for the police to have subpoenaed his cell phone records as the attorney claims.. They had conflicting stories and were attempting to determine the truth. The officers only needed probable cause to initially charge him and witness statements are often the only evidence available. It is common practice to turn evidence over to the DA’s office to determine if the case can be successfully prosecuted beyond a reasonable doubt. The cell phone records created enough doubt to not proceed. DAs don’t like to lose controversial cases. Jones may or may not have been driving – not being prosecuted doesn’t make him innocent – it only means the case will not be adjudicated. No doubt his attorneys will sue to further line their pockets…. that’s what they do.
I know Jon Jones has demons he’s been addressing but I’m glad that he has been exonerated in this instance. He represents Jackson Winklejohn, Albuquerque, and NM in his fights and I stand by him as an adopted NM son.
I know that Jon Jones has given a huge amount of coats to the needy in Albuquerque. He is just like all of us, a great sinner with a Great God in his corner. No one is good, but we try our best with the help of our Lord.
Never heard of him.