Joe Francis to Remain in Reno Jail

RENO, Nev. — After a Tuesday release, Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis has chosen to remain in jail, his lawyer said, in order to avoid another jail sentence — without bail — for new charges in Florida, where he previously served time for contempt of court.

Francis was relocated to the Nevada jail last month after a federal judge ruled that his $20 million tax-fraud charges took precedence over those he had been held for at the time in Florida. In April, Francis turned himself in to Panama City, Fla., officials to serve his 35-day sentence.

Francis' defense lawyer, David Houston, told the Associated Press that Francis' attorneys decided the adult producer should stay in Reno after learning of new decisions made by the Florida judge.

Florida Circuit Judge Dedee Costello refused bail to Francis Tuesday on his 2003 charge of using minors in his videos, and has ordered Francis also be charged with possession of a controlled substance, as well as possession of contraband. In April, Francis was discovered carrying prescription sleeping pills while serving his Florida sentence at Bay County Jail.

Houston said he called off Francis' bail post of $1.5 million, which had been posted Tuesday.

"If I post [bail], Francis goes to Florida, and it took us a month to get him here," Houston said. "There's no reason for me to want to send him back to that environment. We had hoped he'd be out today."

Kevin Mercuri, a press representative for Francis, told XBIZ that Francis has not yet made an official statement regarding his decision to stay in Reno.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Tiffani Time Fronts Latest From Kink.com

Tiffani Time stars with Cody Arizona in the latest release from Kink.com’s “Divine Bitches” series, titled “Muscle Match Up.”

Rachael Cavalli Leads Latest From Girlsway

Rachael Cavalli stars with Charlie Forde, Summer Kline, and Coco Lovelock in the latest Girlsway release, titled “A Romantic Time for the Whole Fam.”

Kasey Kei Fronts Latest From Evil Angel

Kasey Kei stars with Marica Hase in the latest scene from the Evil Angel series “Transsexual Angel.”

Andi Avalon Leads Latest From Family Strokes

Andi Avalon stars with Joshua Lewis in the latest release from Family Strokes series “Perv Mom.”

Nicole Kitt Stars in 'Daggers' From Elegant Angel

Nicole Kitt stars in Elegant Angel’s new murder mystery, "Daggers."

Dorcel Drops Franck Vicomte's 'Luxure: My Wife's Nights'

Dorcel has released director Franck Vicomte’s latest title, “Luxure: My Wife's Nights.”

Cherie DeVille Featured in 'Choking Ban' Article for Wired Magazine

Multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille is featured in a new article in Wired Magazine, titled "A Teen Girl’s Death Is Prompting Calls to Ban Choking in Porn."

Aleksa Mink Makes Her Jules Jordan Debut

Aleksa Mink has made her debut for Jules Jordan Video alongside Lexington Steele.

Violet Myers Headlines 2nd Volume of Jonni Darkko's 'Darkko's Hot Fucks!'

Violet Myers toplines the second volume of multi-XMAs winner Jonni Darkko's “Darkko’s Hot Fucks!,” from Evil Angel.

Show More