Jeremy Stephens management issues statement on his Arrest

[Keithlewis]

In response to the recent arrest and allegations regarding Jeremy Stephens we would like to take this opportunity to reach out to his supporters and clarify some of the information that has been circulating in the media.

In 2011, Jeremy was attending a homecoming party in Des Moines, Iowa. A person in attendance became intoxicated and disorderly, and was asked to leave by the owner of the establishment. The intoxicated individual subsequently became involved in a physical altercation with another person at the event. We have learned that, as the featured guest at the party, Jeremy’s name came up during the police investigation of the assault.

Prior to being detained the morning of October 5, 2012, in Minneapolis, Jeremy had never been arrested in connection with the assault, contacted about any possible charge and or notified about any outstanding warrant by mail or any other means. Jeremy has lived at the same residence in San Diego and has maintained the same phone number for the past year or more. Jeremy also uses social media to provide updates on his training, and to thank fans, supporters, sponsors, and the UFC. In short, Jeremy is not a hard guy to find, which can be seen at www.LilHeathenMMA.com
.

At this time, we do not know why Polk County (Iowa) authorities waited to have a warrant served on Jeremy until the morning of his fight. He arrived in Minnesota four days earlier, stayed at the hotel with other fighters for the event, and attended the public weigh-in on Thursday afternoon. Because he was arrested so close to the time of the fight, arrangements for his release could not be made in time for him to compete despite the diligent efforts of the UFC. Minnesota state officials were great to deal with, but Polk County kept changing the deal making it impossible to get Jeremy released.

It will take some time for this unfortunate situation to be resolved. We ask that everyone be patient and wait for the truth to come out. We also would like to thank Jeremy’s fans who are standing by him during this tough time and especially Dana White and the staff at UFC for their incredible display of support for Jeremy throughout the ordeal.

There is nothing to hide, so we will keep everyone updated as things progress. For any questions or concerns, you can contact management at the following;

www.EvoAgents.com

[broncofan]

[Keithlewis]

Cops: Jeremy Stephens' alleged victim beaten unconscious, stopped breathing twice


http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/10/12/3 ... sault-case


Jeremy Stephens and a co-conspirator beat a victim for about one minute, causing him to lose consciousness once, to stop breathing twice and sending him to the hospital in critical condition, Des Moines police allege in new details emerging from Stephens' felony case.

The incident which Stephens is alleged to have played a role took place on Oct. 15, 2011, according to an article published by The Des Moines Register that cites police reports as its source.

Stephens and the victim were among a group of people at Fat Tony's Sports Tap when the incident began. According to the report, the victim had been asked to leave the bar and was in the parking lot with his wife when Stephens and another man, Dustin James Bachman, emerged.

The victim's wife says that at that point, Stephens punched him, and Bachman followed. She then helped her husband to the car and was attempting to lock the doors when Bachman pulled him out.

At that point, Stephens and Bachman allegedly punched and kicked him in the head and body for about a minute.

The report does not mention if the victim made a full recovery.

Des Moines police, however, did refute the accusations that they had intentionally arrested Stephens on the day of his fight to keep him from competing.

Stephens was taken into custody last Friday in Minneapolis, just hours before he was scheduled to face Yves Edwards at UFC on FX 5. While Stephens' camp has said Stephens had never been notified of any charge, police tell a different story, saying that Stephens had "several opportunities" to turn himself in, in connection with the crime after being notified of the warrant. They note that Bachman was arrested that same day.

Des Moines police added that because the warrant specified that they could only travel to surrounding states, his appearance in neighboring Minnesota was their first real opportunity to arrest him. He moved from Iowa to San Diego sometime in 2011.

Stephens was extradited from Minnesota to Iowa earlier this week, and he is currently being held at Polk County Jail, with bond set at $100,000. He faces two felony charges of willful injury and causing bodily injury or mental illness.

The 26-year-old Stephens is 20-8 in his pro career, and 7-7 in 14 UFC appearances.