http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=71809&eddate=03/07/2007
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HMB martial arts champ convicted of molestation
March 07, 2007, 12:00 AM By Michelle Durand
A Brazilian martial arts champion and instructor accused of giving inappropriate massages to four boys, including three students, is facing two years in prison and life-long registration as a sex offender after pleading no contest to one felony and three misdemeanors counts of child molestation.
Joao Pierini, 35, changed his plea at a pre-trial conference rather than stand trial on the original nine charges including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, annoying a child under 18, sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior. If convicted of those charges, he faced up to five years in prison. Instead, he is looking at no more than two years in prison when sentenced April 14.
The plea bargain is satisfactory because he copped to the felony and must register as a sex offender, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Pierini’s plea nearly ends a case that has flown through the local court system since his December arrest. Pierini previously waived a preliminary hearing and was set for trial March 19 until he changed his plea.
On Dec. 15, four boys ages 15 to 17 allegedly ran into Pierini at a local Starbucks coffee shop and he invited them back to his studio, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 2830 N. Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay, where he also lives.
Pierini reportedly gave the boys his keys, told them to put their beer in the refrigerator and said he’d meet them there.
As they drank beer, Pierini offered the boys massages. The first victim later reported Pierini massaged his genital area until he got up and rejoined his friends without sharing what had happened. The next day, he asked the other boys if they had a similar experience and they agreed. The boys told the first victim’s father and they reported the situation to the Half Moon Bay police.
Pierini is a 25-year jiu jitsu veteran with a third-degree black belt, according to the biography posted on his workplace Web site.
The Web site also advertises therapeutic massage for trainers.
Pierini moved to the United States from Sao Paolo, Brazil in 1999 and opened the Half Moon Bay school with Jim Irizarry. The two also created the Joao Pierini Association and a competition known as the California Open International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling Championships.
According to the Ultimate Fighting Championship Web site, in 2002 Pierini fought under the moniker “The Tasmanian Devil.”
He remains in custody in lieu of $500,00 bail and has no prior convictions in San Mateo County.
Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: [email protected] or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: [email protected].
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
HMB martial arts champ convicted of molestation
March 07, 2007, 12:00 AM By Michelle Durand
A Brazilian martial arts champion and instructor accused of giving inappropriate massages to four boys, including three students, is facing two years in prison and life-long registration as a sex offender after pleading no contest to one felony and three misdemeanors counts of child molestation.
Joao Pierini, 35, changed his plea at a pre-trial conference rather than stand trial on the original nine charges including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, annoying a child under 18, sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior. If convicted of those charges, he faced up to five years in prison. Instead, he is looking at no more than two years in prison when sentenced April 14.
The plea bargain is satisfactory because he copped to the felony and must register as a sex offender, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Pierini’s plea nearly ends a case that has flown through the local court system since his December arrest. Pierini previously waived a preliminary hearing and was set for trial March 19 until he changed his plea.
On Dec. 15, four boys ages 15 to 17 allegedly ran into Pierini at a local Starbucks coffee shop and he invited them back to his studio, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 2830 N. Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay, where he also lives.
Pierini reportedly gave the boys his keys, told them to put their beer in the refrigerator and said he’d meet them there.
As they drank beer, Pierini offered the boys massages. The first victim later reported Pierini massaged his genital area until he got up and rejoined his friends without sharing what had happened. The next day, he asked the other boys if they had a similar experience and they agreed. The boys told the first victim’s father and they reported the situation to the Half Moon Bay police.
Pierini is a 25-year jiu jitsu veteran with a third-degree black belt, according to the biography posted on his workplace Web site.
The Web site also advertises therapeutic massage for trainers.
Pierini moved to the United States from Sao Paolo, Brazil in 1999 and opened the Half Moon Bay school with Jim Irizarry. The two also created the Joao Pierini Association and a competition known as the California Open International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling Championships.
According to the Ultimate Fighting Championship Web site, in 2002 Pierini fought under the moniker “The Tasmanian Devil.”
He remains in custody in lieu of $500,00 bail and has no prior convictions in San Mateo County.
Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: [email protected] or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: [email protected].
http://mmajunkie.com/news/2038/former-ufc-fighter-pierini-sentenced-to-two-years-in-prison.mma
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Former UFC Fighter Pierini Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
by Dann Stupp on Mar 07, 2007 at 9:27 am ET
Back in January I passed along news that former UFC welterweight Joao Marcos Pierini (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who lost to Yves Edwards at UFC 37.5 in his only UFC bout, was facing a myriad of charges stemming from inappropriate behavior, including massages, with underage boys. Three of the four boys were his students.
And now, we can close the book on the ordeal.
According to The Daily Journal (San Mateo, Calif.), the Brazilian martial arts champion and instructor decided to plead no contest to one felony and three misdemeanors counts of child molestation. He faces two years in prison and life-long registration as a sex offender.
From The Daily Journal:
Joao Pierini, 35, changed his plea at a pre-trial conference rather than stand trial on the original nine charges including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, annoying a child under 18, sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior. If convicted of those charges, he faced up to five years in prison. Instead, he is looking at no more than two years in prison when sentenced April 14.
That TKO loss to Edwards was Pierini's last MMA bout. Prior to that, he posted a 4-0 record -- all four wins were first-round stoppages -- fighting for the Brazilian Vale Tudo Fighting and Warriors Quest organizations.
For more information about the charges, visit smdailyjournal.com.
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Former UFC Fighter Pierini Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
by Dann Stupp on Mar 07, 2007 at 9:27 am ET
Back in January I passed along news that former UFC welterweight Joao Marcos Pierini (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who lost to Yves Edwards at UFC 37.5 in his only UFC bout, was facing a myriad of charges stemming from inappropriate behavior, including massages, with underage boys. Three of the four boys were his students.
And now, we can close the book on the ordeal.
According to The Daily Journal (San Mateo, Calif.), the Brazilian martial arts champion and instructor decided to plead no contest to one felony and three misdemeanors counts of child molestation. He faces two years in prison and life-long registration as a sex offender.
From The Daily Journal:
Joao Pierini, 35, changed his plea at a pre-trial conference rather than stand trial on the original nine charges including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, annoying a child under 18, sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior. If convicted of those charges, he faced up to five years in prison. Instead, he is looking at no more than two years in prison when sentenced April 14.
That TKO loss to Edwards was Pierini's last MMA bout. Prior to that, he posted a 4-0 record -- all four wins were first-round stoppages -- fighting for the Brazilian Vale Tudo Fighting and Warriors Quest organizations.
For more information about the charges, visit smdailyjournal.com.
http://www.lockflow.com/ufc-vet-accused-molestation
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UFC Vet accused of Molestation
By: MMA watcher on Saturday, January 20, 2007
Jiu jitsu instructor accused of molestation
By Nick Casey--[ [email protected] ]
A Brazilian marital artist who runs a jiu jitsu studio in Half Moon Bay has been accused of drinking beer with four underage boys and sexually molesting one of them.
Joao Pierini, 35, faces eight misdemeanor charges and one felony count, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, annoying a child under 18, and lewd and lascivious behavior, said Half Moon Bay Police Chief Ike Ortiz. As of Tuesday afternoon he remained in custody at the San Mateo County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Pierini headed the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School, located at 2830 North Cabrillo Highway, which he opened in 2003.
On Dec. 15, four juvenile boys ran into Pierini at the Starbucks coffee shop at Strawflower Village, according to police reports.
Pierini reportedly saw that the boys were drinking beer and invited them to his studio. While they were drinking, Pierini reportedly gave at least one boy a massage, touching his genitals. The incident was reported to the Half Moon Bay police.
On Jan. 3 police searched Pierini's workplace and car. He was booked into the county jail on Jan. 4.
Pierini, a third-degree black belt who has practiced for 25 years, arrived from Brazil in 1999, according to his school's Web site.
He said in a 2003 interview with the Review that "martial arts stress coordination and balance and to help the young and the old alike learn to defend themselves while staying fit and gaining self confidence."
One of his dreams was to create a team to compete in regional tournaments, he said.
Half Moon Bay High School has hosted several California Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Opens, as well as a mixed martial arts exhibition. Pierini served as tournament director for all those events. Additionally, he has been an instructor at Coastside Children's Programs of Half Moon Bay.
Dennis Loubal, who has taken one-on-one instruction with Pierini, said he was shocked at the turn of events. Loubal is a Half Moon Bay Police officer, but is not involved in the case.
"I thought he was a great instructor and I'd consider him a friend," said Loubal.
Loubal, who has studied in three martial arts schools, said ordinary massage and physical contact is not uncommon in training.
Raul Castillo, Pierini's top student, said he will take over the day-to-day operations of the school.
"All the students still want to be there," Castillo said. "They want a place to train. Everyone is very supportive. Everyone wants to keep the school open."
Castillo said he felt responsible for continuing the school.
"I feel like an incredible weight is now on my shoulders," Castillo said. "I'm going to try and make the best of it."
A fight night was scheduled at Half Moon Bay High School next month. In addition, Castillo was scheduled to have his second professional fight. Both those events have been postponed.
Pierini awaits his preliminary hearing on Jan. 19.
Staff writer Mark Foyer contributed to this story.
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
UFC Vet accused of Molestation
By: MMA watcher on Saturday, January 20, 2007
Jiu jitsu instructor accused of molestation
By Nick Casey--[ [email protected] ]
A Brazilian marital artist who runs a jiu jitsu studio in Half Moon Bay has been accused of drinking beer with four underage boys and sexually molesting one of them.
Joao Pierini, 35, faces eight misdemeanor charges and one felony count, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, annoying a child under 18, and lewd and lascivious behavior, said Half Moon Bay Police Chief Ike Ortiz. As of Tuesday afternoon he remained in custody at the San Mateo County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Pierini headed the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School, located at 2830 North Cabrillo Highway, which he opened in 2003.
On Dec. 15, four juvenile boys ran into Pierini at the Starbucks coffee shop at Strawflower Village, according to police reports.
Pierini reportedly saw that the boys were drinking beer and invited them to his studio. While they were drinking, Pierini reportedly gave at least one boy a massage, touching his genitals. The incident was reported to the Half Moon Bay police.
On Jan. 3 police searched Pierini's workplace and car. He was booked into the county jail on Jan. 4.
Pierini, a third-degree black belt who has practiced for 25 years, arrived from Brazil in 1999, according to his school's Web site.
He said in a 2003 interview with the Review that "martial arts stress coordination and balance and to help the young and the old alike learn to defend themselves while staying fit and gaining self confidence."
One of his dreams was to create a team to compete in regional tournaments, he said.
Half Moon Bay High School has hosted several California Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Opens, as well as a mixed martial arts exhibition. Pierini served as tournament director for all those events. Additionally, he has been an instructor at Coastside Children's Programs of Half Moon Bay.
Dennis Loubal, who has taken one-on-one instruction with Pierini, said he was shocked at the turn of events. Loubal is a Half Moon Bay Police officer, but is not involved in the case.
"I thought he was a great instructor and I'd consider him a friend," said Loubal.
Loubal, who has studied in three martial arts schools, said ordinary massage and physical contact is not uncommon in training.
Raul Castillo, Pierini's top student, said he will take over the day-to-day operations of the school.
"All the students still want to be there," Castillo said. "They want a place to train. Everyone is very supportive. Everyone wants to keep the school open."
Castillo said he felt responsible for continuing the school.
"I feel like an incredible weight is now on my shoulders," Castillo said. "I'm going to try and make the best of it."
A fight night was scheduled at Half Moon Bay High School next month. In addition, Castillo was scheduled to have his second professional fight. Both those events have been postponed.
Pierini awaits his preliminary hearing on Jan. 19.
Staff writer Mark Foyer contributed to this story.