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Cops Bust Dad Who Married Off Girl, 14, for Beer

Arranged marriage legit in Mexico, but trafficking minors in Calif.

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2009 6:24 AM CST
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(Newser) – Something got lost in translation when a California man arranged for his 14-year-old daughter to marry an 18-year-old neighbor in exchange for cash, beer, and meat, reports the San Jose Mercury News. When the bridegroom failed to pay the promised $16,000, 160 cases of beer, and six cases of meat, dad called the cops—landing both men felony charges involving corruption of a minor.

The local police chief said such arranged marriages are common in the part of rural Mexico the family hails from. "It's kind of a clash of two different cultures, but I have to uphold the local law," he said. "Everything they were doing would be legal in Mexico. When I'm in Mexico I respect Mexican laws. But you respect the law here when you are here. This involved a juvenile."

Marcelino de Jesus Martinez, 36, faces felony charges of receiving money for causing a person to cohabitate.
Marcelino de Jesus Martinez, 36, faces felony charges of receiving money for causing a person to cohabitate.   (Greenfield, California Police Department)
Marcelino de Jesus Martinez , 36, of Greenfield, Calif. was arrested Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, in Greenfield on suspicion of human trafficking .
Marcelino de Jesus Martinez , 36, of Greenfield, Calif. was arrested Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, in Greenfield on suspicion of human trafficking .   (AP Photo/Monterey County Sheriff's Department, HO)
Police say the father wanted $16,000, 160 cases of beer, 100 cases of soda, 50 cases of Gatorade, two cases of wine, and six cases of meat in return for his daughter's hand in marriage.
Police say the father wanted $16,000, 160 cases of beer, 100 cases of soda, 50 cases of Gatorade, two cases of wine, and six cases of meat in return for his daughter's hand in marriage.   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Jan 16, 2009 10:49 PM CST
The very thought that this happens in this country makes me sick.
riffran
Jan 15, 2009 5:33 AM CST
well ....if it was a good brand of beer............Just kidding....That is just plain ole sick, how could one do that to his own daughter. How demeaning can you get?....Hey buddy I got a nice 1976 ford LTD ill trade ya for that cute daughter of yours......give me a f-ing break....If someone asked that of me, there would be a call to the cops, an account I would try to beat the ever loving sh** out of the scum bag attempting to "buy" my daughter......

Unpaid father asked cops to bring daughter back
CNN

Father may be deported to Mexico
KCBA-TV

 
California • arranged marriage • human trafficking • juvenile • dowry • Mexican-Americans

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