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Chael Sonnen arrested, released, charges dropped
On December 18, 2021, three-time UFC title contender Chael Sonnen was arrested by Las Vegas PD after an altercation in the Four Seasons Hotel that was described at the time as a “crazy rampage” that allegedly had five victims. He was questioned and released that night, and the following January, a judge dismissed the charges against him without prejudice.
Details would emerge, some true, some not, like Brendan Schaub spinning a tale that Chael was heroically protecting his wife, who’d supposedly been verbally assaulted. That story was debunked when it was revealed that she’d supposedly been asleep after taking sleeping pills. Another wrinkle that would be brought to light was him claiming to police officers that he couldn’t remember the incident. There were reports that he allegedly attacked security guards and a video emerged of him being led away in handcuffs.
Chael Sonnen charged again, headed to court
The respite of having the charges dropped would be brief, as just a few weeks later in mid-March, the police department filed a new criminal complaint charging Sonnen with 11 counts of battery including one count of felony strangulation. Over the course of the year, the charges would be reduced down to just four misdemeanors due to a lack of evidence. But civil suits would soon arise.
Chris and Julie Stellpflug filed the first civil suit, alleging that Chael physically attacked both, putting Chistopher Stellpflug in a chokehold after slapping a drink out of his hand in the hallway of their hotel. A maintenance employee reportedly involved in the incident has also filed a lawsuit against Sonnen, claiming he was punched in an unprovoked attack while working at the hotel.
Chael Sonnen pleads not guilty
According to new court records obtained by MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, this past Tuesday, Chael Sonnen entered a plea of not guilty. Those records also stated that Sonnen met with court officials for negotiations regarding a plea deal but were rejected. As a result, a bench trial date has been set for 9:30 a.m. local time in Las Vegas on Aug. 9. The bench trial will be overseen by Judge Ann E. Zimmerman.
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