Joe Francis Is a Free Man

According to the Associated Press, Joe Francis, founder of "Girls Gone Wild," pleaded no contest Wednesday to both child abuse and prostitution charges associated with filming underage girls in Panama City Beach, Florida during spring break. Francis was sentenced to 339 days, which was the exact amount of time he had already served and therefore was allowed to be released after spending almost one year in jail.

"I have never committed any crime. I pleaded guilty just to get out of jail," Francis said after the court hearing. "A few corrupt individuals were able to keep an innocent man in jail for 11 months."

Francis pleaded no contest to one count of felony child abuse and two counts of misdemeanor prostitution. He also pleaded no contest to two more counts of child abuse on behalf of his company, Mantra Films, according to AP.

Francis originally faced a 73-count indictment after Bay County officers raided his hotel rooms and corporate jet in 2003.

In addition to his jail time, Francis was ordered to pay over $60,000 in fines and court costs and agree not to do any filming between Escambia and Jackson Counties in Florida for the next three years.

Francis also posted $1.5 million bond in Nevada this week, where he is currently awaiting his trial for tax fraud, according to AP.