Prosecutors Drop Child‑Abuse Charge Against UFC Veteran Tim Means
The Bernalillo County district attorney filed a nolle prosequi on Monday after a key witness failed to appear, leaving the case open to possible refiling if prosecutors regain needed testimony.
Overview
- Prosecutors filed a nolle prosequi on Monday, formally dismissing the third‑degree child‑abuse felony against Means without prejudice because a key witness did not show for court.
- Means was arrested in April in Tijeras, New Mexico, after a 17‑year‑old reported an altercation in which police allege he head‑butted, choked, threw an object at, and punched the teen.
- Bodycam video released after the arrest shows Means saying the teen attacked him and officers describing visible bruising on the girl, producing conflicting accounts of the encounter.
- A nolle prosequi stops the current prosecution but allows prosecutors to refile charges within legal time limits, and the original charge carried possible prison exposure if proven.
- The case draws public attention because Means is a 12‑year UFC veteran with prior custody disputes, so the dismissal leaves both his criminal exposure and potential family‑law consequences unresolved.