Tag: sexual assault

Mike Whitehead Pleads “No Contest” to Being a Deplorable Scumbag

If he wasn’t fond of living in a posh mansion with 17 other dudes, something tells me he’s not going to like his future abode much either. (Pic: Las Vegas Sun)

MMA veteran Mike Whitehead tapped out before heading into the biggest fight of his life inside a Clark County, NV courtroom yesterday. As reported by the Las Vegas Sun, prior to the start of his preliminary hearing, Whitehead and his attorney reached a deal with prosecutors that will see him plead guilty to one felony count of attempted sexual assault.

Those who have followed the case will note that the former TUF competitor was initially charged with doing far more than attempting a sexual assault. Whitehead was arrested for sexually assaulting a female friend following a bar-b-que at the fighter’s home in April of last year. Whitehead invited the victim and her friend to stay the night after they’d had too much to drink; once the pair had passed out in his bed, he allegedly removed the clothes of one of the women and began having sex with her while fondling the other female. The victim awoke and ordered him to stop, but he continued for several more minutes before sitting quietly in a chair next to the bed.

If he wasn’t fond of living in a posh mansion with 17 other dudes, something tells me he’s not going to like his future abode much either. (Pic: Las Vegas Sun)

MMA veteran Mike Whitehead tapped out before heading into the biggest fight of his life inside a Clark County, NV courtroom yesterday. As reported by the Las Vegas Sun, prior to the start of his preliminary hearing, Whitehead and his attorney reached a deal with prosecutors that will see him plead guilty to one felony count of attempted sexual assault.

Those who have followed the case will note that the former TUF competitor was initially charged with doing far more than attempting a sexual assault. Whitehead was arrested for sexually assaulting a female friend following a bar-b-que at the fighter’s home in April of last year. Whitehead invited the victim and her friend to stay the night after they’d had too much to drink; once the pair had passed out in his bed, he allegedly removed the clothes of one of the women and began having sex with her while fondling the other female. The victim awoke and ordered him to stop, but he continued for several more minutes before sitting quietly in a chair next to the bed.

As part of the plea bargain, prosecutors will drop additional charges including sexual assault and open and gross lewdness. A search warrant served on Whitehead’s residence revealed a marijuana growing operation that boasted more than 40 plants. Strangely, charges for that crime were never filed. The decision to plea Whitehead out to lesser charges seems curious as well, given that in addition to the victim’s statement you have an eye witness to the crime who was also assaulted in the attack. The day after the assault, the victim received a text from “Iron Mike” which read, “Babe I’m really sorry about last night!! I’m very ashamed!”. Despite the double exclamation points, the heartfelt apology wasn’t enough to sway her from notifying the authorities.

Whitehead will be arraigned on September 12th. Should he pass a psycho-sexual report, the district attorney’s office will not weigh in on a sentence recommendation as part of the plea bargain.

Props to Intercept440 for the tip.

Mike Whitehead’s Sex Assault Case Headed to Trial in August

(“Did I mention I bought Jimmy Dean sausages and I let her use my Star Wars pillow?”)

In spite of earlier reports that Mike Whitehead had reached a plea bargain deal with prosecutors in his felony sexual assault case, it looks like the former UFC fighter will now go to trial in an attempt to refute and disprove the allegations against him.

According to court records, Whitehead’s preliminary hearing will commence on August 19 at 9:00 am in Clark County district court in Las Vegas, NV. The case will be heard by Justice Janiece Marshall.

The preliminary hearing was originally set for last September, but because of delays and an apparent plea deal that either fell through or Whitehead decided not to take, there was a nearly one-year delay in bringing the case to trial.

(“Did I mention I bought Jimmy Dean sausages and I let her use my Star Wars pillow?”)

In spite of earlier reports that Mike Whitehead had reached a plea bargain deal with prosecutors in his felony sexual assault case, it looks like the former UFC fighter will now go to trial in an attempt to refute and disprove the allegations against him.

According to court records, Whitehead’s preliminary hearing will commence on August 19 at 9:00 am in Clark County district court in Las Vegas, NV. The case will be heard by Justice Janiece Marshall.

The preliminary hearing was originally set for last September, but because of delays and an apparent plea deal that either fell through or Whitehead decided not to take, there was a nearly one-year delay in bringing the case to trial.

The two female plaintiffs in the case, who were acquaintances of Whitehead’s contend that following a barbecue at his residence, the TUF alumnus invited the pair who were intoxicated to spend the night at his house in Las Vegas. According to the police report, the two went to sleep in Whitehead’s bed and he told them he would be sleeping on the sofa. One of the victims allegedly awoke to Whitehead having sex with her. After several minutes of telling him to stop, he proceeded to get up, dress and sit in the corner in a chair and stare at the two of them for an unspecified amount of time before leaving the room. The second victim claims that she awoke during the alleged rape to Whitehead fondling her breasts, but she didn’t say or do anything for fear of retaliation by the fighter.

Whitehead and several of his friends in the MMA community, including a handful of fighters he trains with at Xtreme Couture in LV contend that the facts in the case don’t add up and that the accusers are looking to frame Whitehead for monetary gain.

An interesting fact that has mysteriously been swept under the rug is that initial reports stated that when police attended Whitehead’s home to arrest him, they discovered a small marijuana grow operation. No drug charges were ever laid.

More Details Emerge Regarding Hermes Franca’s Sexual Assault Charges

(A homeless man who claimed to be Franca turned himself in last Monday)

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.

(A homeless man who claimed to be Franca turned himself in last Monday)

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.

Hermes Franca Charged With Sexual Abuse in Oregon and is Subsequently Released from MFC Contract


(These latest charges make Franca’s DUI in 2008 look like a jaywalking charge.)

According to a report from Sherdog, nine charges were laid this week against Hermes Franca in relation to a sexual assault that took place in Oregon, where the UFC veteran used to live and run his Team Hermes Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

The 36-year-old native of Fortaleza, Brazil who was arrested in 2008 for a DUI, flew from Florida, where he now lives and trains to turn himself in on Monday. He is charged with seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. Franca’s trial is scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m. in the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, Oregon. His bail was set at $250,000.


(These latest charges make Franca’s DUI in 2008 look like a jaywalking charge.)

According to a report from Sherdog, nine charges were laid this week against Hermes Franca in relation to a sexual assault that took place in Oregon, where the UFC veteran used to live and run his Team Hermes Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

The 36-year-old native of Fortaleza, Brazil who was arrested in 2008 for a DUI, flew from Florida, where he now lives and trains to turn himself in on Monday. He is charged with seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. Franca’s trial is scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m. in the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, Oregon. His bail was set at $250,000.

Acting swiftly to the news, Maximum Fighting president Mark Pavelich released a statement today stating that he has terminated Franca’s contract with his organization as a result of the allegations against him. Pavelich also said that he is currently seeking a new opponent to replace him in his upcoming MFC 29 main event lightweight title fight with Drew Fickett, which could mean Antonio McKee might be brought back into the fold to fight for the title he never vacated in the first place.

“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. We were informed about his arrest and pending trial, and as of 10:30 a.m. MT today, he has been released, Pavelich said via email. “These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters.”

Mike Whitehead Has Apparently Copped a Plea Deal for April 2010 Rape Charges

("Now as soon as he wakes up, don’t stop for three minutes, then go sit in the corner on a chair.")It looks like Mike Whitehead has made a deal with Las Vegas prosecutors in his felony sexual assault case.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, The …


("Now as soon as he wakes up, don’t stop for three minutes, then go sit in the corner on a chair.")

It looks like Mike Whitehead has made a deal with Las Vegas prosecutors in his felony sexual assault case.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, The Ultimate Fighter 2 cast member was represented by his lawyer in court today for his scheduled preliminary hearing in Nevada as he was "stuck in Arizona" and according to his council, they have "reached an agreement between Whitehead and the state."

"Iron Mike’s" next appearance is set for February 28.

If you haven’t heard the synopsis of the case check it out after the jump.

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