The former Brazilian martial arts champion who violated his probation by sneaking back into the United States after serving time on molestation charges was sentenced Friday to three years in prison.
The term, essentially a reinstatement of the time Joao Pierini faced for the charges prior to taking a negotiated plea, was imposed by Judge Jonathan Karesh despite pleas by his attorney that his original conviction was unfounded and he has since given back to the community. Attorney Steve Chase also argued Pierini, 39, was technically no longer serving his three-year probationary term and thereby couldn't have violated the terms by illegally returning to the United States shortly after his deportation and not notifying his officer.
Karesh disagreed, however, and handed Pierini the time requested by prosecutor Melissa McKowan.
"The judge was totally wrong," Chase said.
With credit for time served and earned, Pierini has another 168 days to serve and will then be deported, Chase said.
Pierini was sent back to his native Brazil in 2008 after serving a year in county jail and being placed on three years supervised probation. Pierini pleaded no contest to one felony and three misdemeanor counts of child molestation.
According to his first trial, four boys ages 15 to 17 claimed that on Dec. 15, 2006 they ran into Pierini at a Starbucks coffee shop in Half Moon Bay and he invited them back to his studio, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 2830 N. Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay, where he also lived. 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.
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Chase said the boys were actually drinking prior to connecting with Pierini and misinterpreted the massages.
Once he returned to Brazil, Chase said Pierini was a pariah in his village and jumped at an opportunity to work at an East Palo Alto studio.
As part of his sentence, Pierini was also ordered to complete a sex offender treatment program, register as an offender for life and not re-enter the United States illegally. Chase anticipates the District Attorney's Office still filing charges for failing to register.
Pierini was a 25-year jiu jitsu veteran with a third-degree black belt. He moved to the United States from Sao Paolo, Brazil in 1999 and opened the Half Moon Bay school. He also helped create 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 website, in 2002 Pierini fought under the moniker "The Tasmanian Devil."
Once he is done with his time and deported, Pierini will seek a place rather than Brazil to live, Chase said.
Chase said he plans to appeal the ruling but by then his client will be gone.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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