Ex-UFC fighter Casey Kenney has been released on $10,000 bond after pleading not guilty to multiple charges, including kidnapping and assault, related to an alleged domestic violence incident, with his trial set for January 2025.
Ex-UFC fighter Casey Kenney has been released on $10,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty to various charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident in July.
Kenney’s release followed an arraignment hearing in Maricopa County Court, Arizona. A representative from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Kenney paid his $10,000 bond as ordered by the court.
With Kenney pleading not guilty, his next court date is a pre-trial conference on Oct. 15. The trial date is tentatively set for Jan. 23, 2025.
Kenney was arrested in August after allegations of domestic violence led to a police investigation. The veteran fighter faces numerous charges, including kidnapping—a class 2 felony—and several misdemeanors.
Minutes from his recent hearing revealed no probable cause for the aggravated assault charge for impeding breathing. The court found no facts supporting that the alleged victim’s breathing was impaired. However, probable cause was found for all other allegations.
A probable cause statement obtained by MMA Fighting detailed the events leading to Kenney’s arrest:
“Between the dates of 7-21-2024 at approximately 11:00 p.m. and 7-22-24 at approximately 12:14 a.m., while at the single-family residence located at [address redacted], [suspect] Casey Kenney committed kidnapping, aggravated assault by strangulation, and assault against [victim] Jasmine Mendez by repeatedly striking, slapping, biting, headbutting, and choking [victim] Jasmine for several hours resulting in abrasions to Jasmine’s lip and discoloration to Jasmine’s arms and petechiae to Jasmine’s neck.”
“Furthermore, during the 13 hours at Casey Kenney’s residence, Jasmine was incapable of escaping due to Casey routinely grabbing hold of her and holding her in place during her attempts while threatening more physical harm. Casey Kenney advised Jasmine Mendez that if anyone shows up he will shoot them and if her mother shows up he will shoot her in the head. Jasmine Mendez stated she desires prosecution in this matter at this time.”
With Kenney awaiting trial, the judge issued several conditions for his continued release. He cannot have any contact with the alleged victim even if she contacts him first—violating this could lead to aggravated harassment, a class 6 felony in Arizona.
Kenney must also avoid contact with the arresting officers in his case. He can’t possess drugs without a valid prescription or consume alcohol. Additionally, he’s prohibited from possessing any weapons, including firearms, and must submit to fingerprinting and DNA testing; failure to comply could revoke his release.
Assuming Kenney follows these terms, he will remain free while awaiting his trial in January.
The veteran bantamweight last fought in 2021 and was released from the UFC roster following his initial arrest in August.