MFC releases Franca after Sex Crimes Arrest

[keithlewis]

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.

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.”

The MFC will actively pursue a top-level foe for Fickett, who is coming off a lightning-quick submission win over Matt Veach at MFC 28.

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The “legal situation” to which Pavelich refers is Franca’s Monday arrest in Clackamas County, Ore., Franca was arrested on seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree and his bail has been set at $250,000.00

[keithlewis]

More details have emerged in Hermes Franca’s sexual assault case and let’s just say, it doesn’t look good for the former UFC lightweight contender.

According to Fox 12 Oregon, the alleged victim is under the age of 14 and the pair of “unlawful penetration” charges indicate that Franca used an object (or numerous objects) on her.

From OregonCrimes.com’s Oregon Sex Crime Guide:

“Unlawful sexual penetration” refers to the act of penetrating the vagina, anus or penis of another with any object other than the penis or mouth of the actor. Usually a finger is the “object” used.

“Sexual abuse” usually means touching the sexually intimate parts of another (except in the case of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree). Refer to the definition of “sexual contact” below.

Franca, whose real name is Hermes Franca DeBarros, was set for a bail hearing on Friday, but there’s no word as to whether or not he was granted a release considering he’s a landed immigrant from Brazil who could pose a potential flight risk.

Franca’s lawyer Ryan Corbridge gave FOX 12 the following statement regarding his client:

“Mr. DeBarros was made aware of the allegations a number of weeks ago while in Brazil. He has been in contact with the Clackamas County DA’s office in coordinating compliance with every aspect of the investigation. Mr. DeBarros voluntarily left Brazil and came to Oregon to confront these allegations. Mr. DeBarros maintains his innocence and has faith in the US Justice System.”

According to the report, the seven counts of sexual abuse and two counts of unlawful penetration took place between November 30 and December 31 in Clackamas County, where Franca lived while operating a jiu-jitsu school. He has since moved back to Florida.

Franca’s bail was set at $250,000.

http://www.cagepotato.com/more-details- ... t-charges/