I think it’s safe to say that Ryan Lochte will not be vacationing in Brazil any time soon. After escaping Brazil after his fake robbery story unraveled, the Police in Rio have decided to officially charge Lochte with a crime.
Lochte has been charged with filing a false report which means he could face up to six months behind bars in Rio if he is found guilty.
Here are more details from the Daily Mail UK:
Clemente Braune, a commissioner with the Special Tourist Police in Rio, said police have asked for a summons to be issued for Lochte, however the 12-time Olympic medalist can opt to send a lawyer and avoid answering questions himself in court.
raune added the American could yet be sued by the gas station owner for the damage, both in civil and criminal court.
A crime with a maximum sentence of six months is not serious enough to be the subject of extradition, with the U.S.-Brazilian treaty for extradition covering only serious alleged crimes.
However the Brazilian authorities could make it almost impossible for Lochte to leave the U.S. by placing a red ‘wanted’ alert on his passport through Interpol, meaning that he would be arrested if he entered a country which has a treaty with Brazil which would allow extradition for false statement allegations.
If Brazil does place a wanted alert on his passport, that would bar him from participating in international swimming events that have an extradition treaty with Brazil. Brazil has extradition treaties with 26 countries, so he should do some research before planning his next vacation.