Anthony Smith Breaks Silence After $500,000 Bond in Domestic Assault Case

Q: Despite facing severe felony charges, how was Anthony Smith cleared for international travel to compete in a sporting event?

He was cleared because a Nebraska judge modified his bond conditions and gave him specific permission to leave the state and travel abroad for a limited period to compete. After Smith’s arrest, the court barred him from leaving Nebraska without approval as a condition of release. Later, Smith asked the court to change those conditions so he could travel to the Dominican Republic from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 for what court filings described as a “professional sporting event.” A judge granted that request. That approval did not erase the felony case or mean the charges were resolved. It was a narrow travel authorization while the case remained pending. Reporting indicates the judge allowed the trip but did not relax other restrictions, including denying Smith’s request to have contact with the alleged victim. Smith also remained out on bond and was still required to return to court, with a status hearing set for September. In other words, he was able to compete internationally not because the charges were dismissed, but because pretrial defendants can sometimes travel if a court agrees to modify release conditions.

3 articles · Updated · Bloody Elbow · Aug 23

Anthony Smith made his first public comments since his July arrest, posting on Instagram that he is "happy to be home" and will "tell my story someday soon."
Nebraska authorities charged the 38-year-old former UFC title challenger with first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats and first-degree false imprisonment after an alleged altercation with his wife.
Police allegations say Smith threatened to kill her and tried multiple times to hit her with his vehicle after an argument at a bar; he has pleaded not guilty and must return to court in September.
Mikhala Renee Newman, identified as the alleged victim, has publicly backed Smith, saying she was always safe, that he would never hurt her, and that she sought help during a mental health struggle.