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'Girls Gone Wild' Producer Joe Francis Facing Jail Time After Conviction
Looks like Joe Francis, producer of the now-bankrupt "Girls Gone Wild" franchise of titillating vids, is facing some jail time following his conviction on a slate of misdemeanor charges.Francis was found guilty Monday of false imprisonment, assault and dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, according to City News Service.
The incident leading to the charges took place in January 2011. The victims, three women, met Francis at Hollywood's Supper Club where they were partying in honor of a college graduation.
When the night was winding down, Francis "grabbed one of the women by the hand and took her to his limo," elaborates L.A. Now. The other two women, thinking this was their lift to their car.
However, Francis' bodyguard and driver whipped out "sheriff's badges" and prohibited the women from leaving the limo. They were taken to Francis' home, where he tried to separate one of the women from the trio, and a physical fight ensued.
During the scuffle, Francis grabbed one woman by her throat and hair, and slammed her head to the floor four times.
The women eventually broke free, and despite cautions from Francis not to do so, called 911 immediately to report the incident.
In a statement issued Monday, L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich praised the victims for reporting the crime and for pursuing the matter legally.
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For Francis, the conviction means a potential maximum of five years in jail. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8.
This news has some folks, frankly, rejoicing:
Joe Francis has been convicted YAY of assault and false YAY YAY YAY imprisonment and faces YAY 5 years in YAY jail HOORAAAAYYYYYYY
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 7, 2013
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