After completing his jail sentence for the sexual abuse of a minor under 14 years old, former UFC lightweight title challenger Hermes Franca is back in Brazil. An immigration judge ordered Franca, then a legal US resident, to be deported according to Fox 12.
In January of 2012 Franca was initially charged with seven counts of sex abuse in the first degree as well as two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. He would eventually plead guilty to a single count of both unlawful penetration and first-degree sexual abuse. The incident reportedly involved a young student at his martial arts academy.
Franca was in jail for over two years and released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Following the immigration judge ordering his deportation he was escorted to Brazil by a federal officer.
Had he not been deported, Franca’s initial conviction carried with it over four years of supervision following his release and registering as a sex offender.
Franca fought in the UFC eleven times, highlighted by a title bout with Sean Sherk which he lost by decision. He then tested positive for an anabolic steroid. He’s also a former WEC champion and holds wins over current UFC fighters Nate Diaz, Jamie Varner and Mike Brown.
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