Former UFC lightweight standout Hermes Franca turned himself over to the Clackamas County Jail Monday night, charged with seven counts of Sexual Abuse in the first degree (ORS.163.427) as well as two counts of Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the second degree (ORS.163.408). Both crimes fall under Oregon’s Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentencing for serious crimes, carrying a minimum term of 75 months each. Franca’s bail has been set at $250,000.
According to sources close to Franca, the 36 year old Brazillian lightweight flew into Portland Monday night from Florida to turn himself in. The MMA veteran of ten years was made aware of the multi-count indictment while in Brazil for his match at the International Fighter Championship on April 29. After consulting with legal counsel, Franca came back to the United States to answer the charges. Franca pled not guilty to all nine counts at his araignment Tuesday afternoon.
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Chief Deputy District Attorney Greg Horner of the Clackamas County District Attorney's office today said Franca has been "cooperative" with the District Attorney's office.
A release hearing for Franca is set for Friday, and his counsel is expected to ask for a reduction of his bail. He has retained a Portland-based lawyer, Ryan Corbridge, to represent him.
"We adamantly deny these allegations and want to point out that he's innocent until proven guilty," Corbridge said today.
A July 12 date has been set for Franca's trial, though Horner expressed doubts that the date would hold.
"It's unlikely that a case of this significance would go to trial this quickly," he said.
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Franca's trial is set for 7/12. Second degree unlawful sexual penetration in Oregon means penetration by something other than the mouth or penis of a girl under the age of 14. It is believed Franca, who owned a BJJ academy, The Team Hermes Franca BJJ Academy, in the city at one point, is accused of violating a girl who was a student of his. He since closed down the academy and is living in Florida.
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Franca had ben scheduled to headline MFC 30 in a lightweight title match against fellow ex-UFC Alumn Drew Fickett on June 10th. Now MFC has announced that Hermes is dropped from the MFC roster
The Maximum Fighting Championship has terminated the contract of Hermes Franca as a fighter with the organization.
An immediate search is underway to replace Franca who was slated to fight Drew Fickett on Friday, June 10 at MFC 30: Up Close & Personal. Fickett's new opponent is expected to be announced shortly.
"Mr. Franca's legal situation is a matter in the hands of law enforcement officials and soon to be going before the courts and because of that there will not be any further comment on those allegations, but I have taken immediate action to indicate that he is no longer going to be part of my organization," stated MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
"We were informed about his arrest and pending trial, and as of 10:30 a.m. MT today, he has been released. These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters."
On top of legal difficulties that were revealed today, Franca twice fought outside of the MFC while under contract with the organization.
"Mr. Franca breached his contract by fighting outside of the organization only 15 days after his bout at MFC 29, and then he fought again six days after that in Brazil and lost," said Pavelich.
"I find his these actions to be incredibly disrespectful to my company and Mr. Franca is no longer welcome as part of the Maximum Fighting Championship."
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