Hermes Franca is currently in an Oregon jail after turning himself into authorities, according to mmajunkie.com.
Franca is accused of sexually abusing a female minor at a jiu-jitsu academy where Franca once taught. Franca then turned himself into the authorities on Monday.
At Franca’s arraignment on Tuesday, he plead not guilty to seven counts of first degree sexual abuse and two counts of second degree unlawful sexual penetration.
Franca’s bail is currently set at $250,000.
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Greg Horner, of the Clackamas County District attorney’s office, each of the charges against Franca carries a mandatory minimum sentence of six-and-a-quarter years. He also said Franca has been “cooperative.”
Franca has a release hearing scheduled on Friday, and it is expected that he will ask for a reduction of bail.
July 12 is the current date for Franca’s trial, although Franca’s lawyer expressed doubt, and said “It’s unlikely that a case of this significance would go to trial this quickly,”.
Franca’s next fight was supposed to be on June 10 against Drew Fickett for the Maximum Fighting Championship lightweight belt, but in light of these allegations, the fight was scrapped and Franca was released.
More on this story as it develops.
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