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Arrested: Jesus Martinez

Reason for arrest: trying sell his 14-year old daughter into marriage to 18-year old Margarito de Jesus Galindo.

Victim’s Name: The name of Martinez’s daughter has not been released

Where the incident occurred: Greenfield California

Details: Jesus Martinez sold his 14-year old daughter to 18-year old Margarito de Jesus Galindo with the agreement that Galindo would pay him $16,000, 100 cases of Corona, 50 cases of Modelo beer, several cases of meat, two cases of wine, 50 cases of Gatorade and 50 cases of soft drinks. The girl moved out of her father’s house and into the home of her new owner. The father then waited for his money and beer and meat, but after a while, realizing Galindo wasn’t making good on his end of the bargain, Martinez called the police to get his daughter back.

Commentary: What we have here appears to be a cultural issue. Police themselves have admitted that the men, Mexican immigrants, were not aware they were doing anything illegal. Where they come from (the specific area of Mexico they call home) that sort of thing is perfectly normal. It’s a simple case of an arranged marriage; and the girl assured police she willingly moved in with Galindo and was not forced by her father. Of course you can’t practice the way of life of your country in a country where there are different practices and different laws. You can’t move to a new place and fail to adapt to the ways of the new place. You might be a citizen of country A; but if you live in country B you are required to know the laws of country B and to abide by them and you’re expected to adapt to the culture of country B and leave the ways of country A in Country A.

It seems the worse that’s going to happen to Jesus Martinez and Margarito de Jesus Galindo is that they are both facing possible deportation on the grounds of being illegal immigrants. It is not clear what will happen to Martinez’s daughter.