'Gone Wild' Founder Joe Francis Enters Plea

"Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis entered no contest pleas in Panama City, Florida, to child abuse and prostitution charges in a plea agreement that allowed him to walk free after 11 months in jail. The 39-year-old Francis was sentenced to 339 days and given credit for time already served.

His no contest plea resolved the criminal charges brought against him in 2003 for filming nude underaged girls during spring break at Panama City Beach and the charges of having contraband in jail while serving a 35-day contempt of court charge.

Because of the no-bail warrant for him in Florida, Francis was not able to post bail in Nevada where he was extradited to face federal tax evasion charges. Therefore the multi-millionaire filmmaker has spent the last 11 months locked up.

Negotiating a Federal Plea Bargain

His pleas in Florida came a day after he posted a $1.5 million bond in Reno, Nevada, in the tax case. Francis is in negotiations with federal prosecutors to settle that case also.

Francis was still defiant after entering his pleas during a Bay County court hearing. "I have never committed any crime. I pleaded guilty just to get out of jail," Francis told reporters. "A few corrupt individuals were able to keep an innocent man in jail for 11 months."

He remained unrepentant also. "I'm going to go back to making videos, this afternoon," he said.

It won't be in Panama City. Judge Deede Costello ordered Francis not to film in Bay County for the next three years. Francis also has to pay more than $60,000 in fines, court costs and restitution.

See Also:
'Girls Gone Wild' Founder Enters Plea

Earlier Articles:
Tax Trial Delayed for 'Gone Wild' Founder
'Gone Wild' Founder Gets 35 Days in Jail
'Girls Gone Wild' Creator Ordered Jailed

^{Photo: Mug Shot}