UFC legend BJ Penn’s legal troubles continue.
Put simply, the former two-division champion is not well. The retired Hawaiian has fully bought into a complicated conspiracy and may be suffering from Capgras syndrome, “a psychiatric condition where a person believes a loved one, such as a family member, has been replaced by a doppelganger or is not who they claim to be.” In addition to seeing dead people, Penn believes his whole family has been replaced by government agents out to steal his wealth,
which has resulted in multiple legal disputes and altercations with his mother specifically, who currently holds a restraining order against the former Lightweight great.
As a result of that restraining order — which Penn has openly admitted to violating previously — Penn continues to find himself behind bars. He was arrested again on Monday but quickly posted bail. According to X user Borrachinha Depot, who has closely followed Penn’s manic descent, this is his fifth arrest in less than five months.
The Hawaii County Police posted Penn’s latest mugshot, which can be seen below.
𝗕𝗝 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿
Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged 46-year-old Jay Dee “BJ” Penn of Hilo, for violating a court order for protection.
At 4:03 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, Hilo patrol officers responded to a report of a violation in the area of Puueo Street in Hilo. Upon arrival, officers determined that Penn had entered a property in violation of the terms of a court order for protection in which he is the respondent.
Penn was later located in the area and arrested without incident. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, he was charged with violating the order for protection. His bail was set at $2,000, which he later posted.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Hilo Patrol Officer Elieser Quinones at elieser.quinones@hawaiicounty.gov.
In this arrest announcement is also the explanation for why this keeps happening: Penn’s bail was only $2000! Despite being destitute and in dire need of financial help, Penn seemingly still has access to a few dollars and is able to immediately get himself out of jail. Based on the frequency of his arrests, the situation is not improving, and it’s hard not to be concerned about both the welfare of Penn and his mother.
Let’s hope Penn gets the help he needs sooner than later.
