Thread: Illegal alien father sentenced in sale of bride, 14

Illegal alien father sentenced in sale of bride, 14

2:00 a.m. May 9, 2009

GREENFIELD – A man who police said gave his 14-year-old daughter for marriage to an 18-year-old suitor in exchange for $16,000 cash, alcohol and food has been sentenced to a year in the Kern County jail.

Marcelino Martinez had faced multiple charges, including procuring a child for sex, and aiding and abetting statutory rape.

His sentencing Thursday followed a plea deal that reduced the charges to child endangerment. Prosecutors said the families involved are part of an indigenous group from Mexico where arranged marriages of teenagers are common.

Martinez, an undocumented immigrant, will be deported after he serves his sentence.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... ?uniontrib

Not your culture when you come here.

But, wonder how many husbands would give 16,000 to a father to marry their daughter? Sure wouldn't want to be sold, but a hefty price might make some think before an easy I do. Being sarcastic, but it does make one think.

Was this the same father that gave his underage daughter in exchange for money, meat and beer?

Related:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-155811-marcelino.html

CA: Illegal trades daughter for beer, meat..gets stiffed
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-142823-marcelino.html

Greenfield father sentenced to jail in child-bride case
Martinez faces deportation after serving jail term
BY SUNITA VIJAYAN • svijayan@thecalifornian.com • May 8, 2009

A Greenfield man accused of arranging the marriage of his 14-year-old daughter to a young adult neighbor will spend at least two more months behind bars before facing deportation.

Marcelino de Jesus Martinez, 36, a Triqi Indian from Oaxaca, Mexico, was sentenced Thursday to one year in Monterey County Jail for felony child endangerment. But his term could end as early as July in light of credit for good behavior and 174 days of time served, said Monterey County Deputy Districty Attorney Cristina Johnson.

Superior Court Judge Larry E. Hayes also sentenced Martinez to four years of felony probation, and the defendant is expected to be turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon his release.

Martinez pleaded no contest in April to the felony child endangerment charge. He faced 10 years in prison if he had gone to trial and been convicted by a jury on four charges.

In court Thursday, Martinez listened to the judge's orders through Triqui and Spanish interpreters.

"The relationship the defendant allowed to develop ... that is not right," Hayes said. "Having her remain in the situation she was in is still troublesome to the court. A parent's role is to protect their children and not allow them to be in danger, as she was."

In December, authorities accused Martinez of arranging a marriage and dowry contract for his daughter to wed Margarito de Jesus Galindo, an 18-year-old neighbor. The couple then spent two weeks living together in Soledad and Greenfield.

During Martinez's preliminary hearing, defense attorneys argued that Galindo and his family had abducted the girl without their client's knowledge, something the judge continued to not believe through the case and during sentencing.

In pleading no contest to child endangerment, Martinez has only admitted to not doing enough to prevent the his daughter from temporarily living with and having sex with the older teen, his attorney Miguel Hernandez said.

Initially, Greenfield police arrested Martinez on suspicion of human trafficking, allegations the department retracted after learning marriages between men and teenage girls are customary in Triqui culture, and that gifts are involved in these agreements. Moreover, police said they based their accusations on reports that $16,000 in cash and cases of alcohol and meat were to be exchanged.

On Thursday, Salinas defense attorney Miguel Hernandez maintained his earlier statements in court, saying his client had been duped by Galindo and his family, not knowing they had hidden his daughter in their apartment in Greenfield.

Hernandez said, after abducting her, Galindo's family had "brainwashed" Martinez's daughter into thinking her family didn't want her.

"There's a lot of things in this case we'll never understand," said Hernandez, adding that his client's reputation as a loving father and husband remains unquestionable.

David Figuero, the Mexican consul general in San Jose, said the Mexican Consulate paid for Martinez's attorney fees.

Last month, Galindo was sentenced to three years' probation after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor statutory rape.

Jose Luis Sandoval, Galindo's attorney, said his client has been placed in the custody of ICE officials.

Outside court, Hernandez said if Martinez is deported, his family will likely follow him back to Mexico.

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/2 ... /905080335

Remember that if you want to sell your kids you have to say you are from Mexico and it is an arranged marriage.

Outside court, Hernandez said if Martinez is deported, his family will likely follow him back to Mexico.

More good news.

"in exchange for $16,000 cash, alcohol and food"

Isn't anyone curious to know where an 18 year old came up with $16,000 plus alcohol/food?