UFC Lighweight Jeremy Stephens Released From Jail, Thanks Everyone Who Has Stood Behind Him

UFC lightweight Jeremy ‘Lil Heathen’ Stephens (20-8) was released from an Iowa jail earlier today after being imprisoned in Minnesota on October 5, 2012.
Stephens was arrested on an outstanding warrant for an incident in October, 2011, charging the fighter with willful injury and assault causing bodily injury.

Police in Minneapolis picked up Stephens on Oct. 5, the day he was set to face Yves Edwards at UFC on FX 5, and was held without bail. The fighter was then transported to Iowa and was finally released from a Polk County Jail today.

Stephens management team, Evolution Agents, released this statement this afternoon.

Des Moines, Iowa, October 17, 2012- Today, at 3:30pm, Jeremy was released from custody from the Polk County Jail. As you know, Jeremy has spent the last twelve days incarcerated, both in Iowa and Minnesota, missing his October 5 UFC fight against Yves Edwards, as well as many lucrative financial opportunities associated with that bout.

While Jeremy’s employer (UFC), his family, friends, and loyal fans have stood behind him, certainly the recent events have garnered some negative media attention.

Jeremy felt it was very important to thank each and every one of those who have stood by his side during this tough time. He wanted everyone to know that despite the negative situation that he’s been placed in, he has remained upbeat and positive, reflecting on the opportunities that have been and will be presented to him, reflecting on his family, and his firm believe in his innocence.

Jeremy’s legal team is already hard at work to prove what many already know; he is not guilty of the crimes he’s been accused of.

We ask that everyone respect Jeremy’s privacy throughout this case. Although we are not at liberty to discuss specific details including, but not limit to his pending case, questions can be directed to CEO@EvoAgents.com.

Of course, as Jeremy resumes training in the upcoming weeks, he will continue to communicate and interact with his fans and supporters through his personal web site, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

http://www.twitter.com/LilHeathenMMA

http://www.fb.com/LilHeathenMMA

http://www.LilHeathenMMA.com

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One day after Jeremy Stephens scheduled court hearing, new documents call into question his claim that he was unaware of the warrant. A request to increase bail indicates Stephens may have been contacted about the warrant several months earlier.

A new wrinkle has been added to the story of UFC Lightweight Jeremy Stephens recent arrest. As most should already know, Stephens was picked up by Minneapolis police only hours before his scheduled fight with Yves Edwards at UFC On FX 5. UFC president Dana White made a big stink about the ignorant media declaring the fight fight off (they didn't) as he struggled to get Stephens released in time for the event (he didn't).

Shortly after, Stephens camp put out a statement maintaining his innocence and he was released two weeks later. Today, Fight Opinion published a couple documents in relation to the proceedings. First was an Order of Protection signed on October 12, 2011 that required Jeremy to steer clear of his alleged victims as there was probable cause that he'd committed willful injury and assault causing bodily injury. Second was a request to increase his bond wherein it's indicated that Stephens had been contacted about the arrest warrant:

1. The defendant was charged by complaint with Willful Injury and Serious Assault on October 20, 2011. Bond was set at $20,000 cash and $1,000 cash, respectively, pending the service of the arrest warrant.

2. The Des Moines Police Department has been notified that the defendant has been arrested on the warrant in the above-captioned case in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

3. The defendant is a professional mixed martial artist who travels the country to participate in mixed martial arts competitions.

4. The undersigned was contacted by attorney Matt Boles several months ago about the above-captioned case, which would indicate that the defendant is aware of the warrant. The defendant has not turned himself in on these charges prior to being arrested in Minneapolis.

5. Considering the nature of the charges, the defendant's inclinations towards trael, and the length of time since the underlying incident occurred, the State requests that the bond be increased to protect the public and to insure the defendant's presence at future court hearings.

The request to increase Stephens' bond does not give any detail on the nature of the contact made by Boles. And it should be noted that Jeremy's management has already stated that he was unaware of the warrant for his arrest. However, this document does seem to give reason to doubt their claim.

Stephens was expected to appear in court on October 23 following his release last week. As of yet, neither Stephens nor his management has given a statement on how it went. Bloody Elbow will continue to update you as we know more.

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