Former UFC Fighter Pleads No Contest to Molestation
Joao Pierini, a
one-time UFC competitor, offered a no contest plea on Tuesday in a
Redwood City, Calif. court that will send him to prison for two
years on charges that he inappropriately touched four underage
boys.
The 35-year-old Pierini, stopped in his only UFC appearance in 2002 by Yves Edwards (Pictures), awaits sentencing on April 14. The Brazilian, who arrived in the U.S. in 1999, remains in custody on $500,000 bail.
According to several news reports, four underage boys ranging from 15 to 17 encountered Pierini at a Starbucks coffee shop. Pierini invited the juveniles back to his jiu-jitsu studio, where prosecutors allege he gave them massages and touched one boy on his genitals.
After police were notified by a father of one of the boys, Pierini's car and workplace were searched on Jan. 3. The following day he was booked in county jail.
Pierini (4-1-0) has not fought since losing to Edwards on the undercard of UFC 37.5. Taking a high kick, the left side of Pierini's upper body went numb and he collapsed to the canvas.
The 35-year-old Pierini, stopped in his only UFC appearance in 2002 by Yves Edwards (Pictures), awaits sentencing on April 14. The Brazilian, who arrived in the U.S. in 1999, remains in custody on $500,000 bail.
According to several news reports, four underage boys ranging from 15 to 17 encountered Pierini at a Starbucks coffee shop. Pierini invited the juveniles back to his jiu-jitsu studio, where prosecutors allege he gave them massages and touched one boy on his genitals.
After police were notified by a father of one of the boys, Pierini's car and workplace were searched on Jan. 3. The following day he was booked in county jail.
Pierini (4-1-0) has not fought since losing to Edwards on the undercard of UFC 37.5. Taking a high kick, the left side of Pierini's upper body went numb and he collapsed to the canvas.
